The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1892-03-07
THE FRANK JONES.
Description of the New Steamer for the
p, Mt. D. s NJ. Steamboat Co.
Especial to the Press.]

BATH, March 5.-The rapidly in
creasing patronage OF Maine's rail-
road and steamboat lines necessi-
tates extensive additions to their
means of transportation, both rolling and
floating, every year. Not to be behind
the rest, the directors of the Portland,
Mt. Desert and Machias Steamboat Co.
decided last year that new boat was
necessary to meet the wants of their
patrons. Acting upon this idea they
lodged contract with the New England
Company, and the keel of the new
steamer was laid about Nov. 1, 1891.
She was named after the Portsmouth
railway magnate, Frank Jones. Her de-
signer was William P. Pattee, ESQ.,, of
this CITY. Mr.. Pattee is aiyeteran at the
business. having made the plans of a
large number Of these handsome speci-
mems of naval architecture. Prominent
among these may be mentioned the
State of Maine, Cumberland, Winthrop,
Cottage City, Manhattan, Kennebec,
Sappho, Portland and the beautiful Slater
yacht Sycamore.
The Frank Jones, now in an unfinished
condition at the yard of the New Eng
land Company, is a side-wheel steamer
of the following dimensions: Length at
load water line, $50 feet; length over all,
about 260 feet; greatest breadth of beam,
60 feet; depth of hold, 10 feet, A inches;
beam, 36 feet. She is five feet shorter
than the Kennebec, and two feet narrow
er on the guards. Passing through the
low
trance is gained to the main hall, 40 feet
by 19. On the port side is the ticket
office, and on the starboard side the
clerks room, which contains berth for
that much harassed official. Aft of the
main hall is the lower cabin, ga feet in
length, from which open the doors of 20
staterooms, each containing two berths.
The ladies' toilet room, II feet square,
and equipped with all modern cohveni-
ences, opens into this cabin, which will
be reserved for ladies. Stairs lead from
this cabin to the main saloon on the up
per deck. Forward is the freight deck,
IS feet in length and about 40 feet aver
age breadth. On the port side of this
space are the kitchen, ice and store
rooms, the cooks stateroom, lamp room
and porter's room. Opposite on the star
board side, are the engineers and oilers
rooms, toilets, and large closets. The
machinery takes up the centre space on
this deck amidships, and two large pack
age rooms are located next the main aft
Ell gangways. Stairs lead from the for
ward deck to the main saloon, and a
Hyde steam windlass will occupy the
forward part. Descending into the hold
we find the space reserved for machinery
and boilers, and the mems cabin, with
berths ranged along the sides of the YES
sci. The engines are the product of the
Bath Iron Works, where they are now in
process of construction. The dynamo
will run 800 lights.
The main saloon on the promenade
deck is now in frame. The staterOoms
are arranged in alcoves and are to be IA
in number besides four bridal rooms.
The saloon will have a huge dome-sky-
light. The centre space is to be left
open except for the smokestack and en-
closure for the machinery The pantry
is on this deck. There are four gang
ways opening on to the promenade deck,
and two toilet-rooms next the paddle
boxes. On the hurricane deck will be
the pilot house, and here also the officers
will find their quarters. A number OF
staterooms for the walters are to be con-
structed on the paddle boxes.
Her engines are compound and her
machinery differing from the Kennebec
and others of her class. The huge walk
ing beam will be conspicuous by its alb
sence. The paddle wheels are to be
small compared with those on the other
side wheelers, but of type that ensures
great speed.
The calkers are through with their
work and the Jones will go overheard
about March 26. She will be towed to
the iron works to receive her machinery
about April 1st. Next summer, unless
something unforeseen happens, she will
be giving some of her sister vessels OF
the Maine coast, a few points on how 8
Bath-bult steamer can make speed.