The morning call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1878-1895, 1893-08-06
orders came to clear the deck for the
launching.
n the bay there was albrilliant sight.

Out in the bay there was albriliant sight.
The water was literally dotted with the
trim vessels of the San Francisco Yacht
Club and the Pacific Yacht Club. while
naphtha launches. tugs and small boats
filed in the gaps. Holiday attire was worn
10y all on board, and thew Unanswered in
order TO secure point of vantage for the
event of the DAY. El PrimerO worG the
colors of the principal yachting clubs
though she will discard all but the pennant
IF the San Francisco Yacht Club, In which
she is entered as a member.
There was no hitch in the proceedings.
and when Ell PrimerO reached the water
she settled as easily as chip would have
foated. Then came the blast of welcome
from the feet. The yachts cracked their
cannon. steamers and tugs gave vent to
h0arse and screaming whistles. the Union
Iron Works sirens applauded the baptism
of its handsome offspring. and Ell PrinerO
herself Joined in the deafening jubilee.
Her rudder had been blocked, in order TO
prevent keeling as she struck the water.
anh he vessel was at the mercy OF the
strong breeze until she drifted near the
big steamer COllma and made fast to pier.
Here q careful inspection of the vessel
followed, and the ropes and blocking were
ished out in order that they might not foul
her propeller. The blocking was removed
from her rudder, and then the invited
guests were taken aboard.
The trial trip was from the Union
Iron Works to Redwood City. The guests
of the occasion include. besides Mr.. Hop
kins. ex-senator FELTON,. George Looms.
Timothy Hopkins. Theodore Pavne, Will
liam Mayo Newball, Charles F. Bassett.
Joseph Crockett. Warren Clark and Fred
Z-ile.
Commodore l. Cutie was on hand and
gave mods of approval to each of Captain
Thaxter'S directions. Rear-COmmOdo ore
Harrison was too busy admiring the inno-
vatons in yachting to saw much, but his
commendatory looks showed that he was
heartily in accord with the new features.
The vessels of the yachting fleets will ac-
company Ell PrimerO on her maiden cruise,
and remain in her company until the new
member sets them a pace that portends
parting.
Ell Primero carries crew of ten, includ.
ing Captain Thaxter and his mate. two
engineers. two fremen, two sailors, a
steward and a cabin-boy. There are sleep
twenty-five persons. but this number may
be largely exceeded. owing to the division
of wa ches.
Luxury is the essential object aboard
Ell Primero, and not even the cabin boy
has been forgotten in the arrangement of
comfort. From the galley to the owners
cabin there is an uDdimiDshed display of
Grafton of creature comforts. When she
anchors dOub.e-cylinder steam windlass
will hoist six fathoms of chair minute
when orders are given to weigh" A
dumb waiter saves labOriOus trips to the
galley. while inviting steamer chairs,
comfortable hunks and coy lounges tempt
the weary mariner. The fore and after
guests and crew from the sun. The YES
sci is schooner.rigged. but sails will never
be used except In case of an accident. In
every feature of the vessel there seems
nothing lacking to make life pleasant to
the fortunate owner and those who are
favored with an invitation to take a cruise
Ell Prmero is built of steel and is fin
will have speed of about fifteen miles an
hour. She has triple expansion engines of
225 horsepower. She can carry 36 tons Of
coal, and upon each ton it is calculated
that she can steam so miles. Her dimen-
sions are as follows: Length over ell, 1877
feet; tonnage length. 100; registered
length, Ill IS; beam. IS; depth. 8:6; draft,
AZ; registered tonnage. gross. 102.99; net.
7348; displacement. 20 TONS She draws
4 feet of water forward and less than feet
at the stern.
The dlninR-saloon IL Sx12 feet and can
easily be converted into a cardroom. The
captains bunk 10 in the pilot-house, which
is admirably arranged for the purpose.
Aft of amidships are two gorgeous state
rooms. with doubIe-beds. stationary wash
stands and all toilet accessories. Aft Of
the main cabin are two more staterooms.
bath and shower, while in tho stern is
another stateroom, similar to the one in
the bow. Electric bells and speaking
tubes are connected throughout the yacht.
and in all there is nothing absent that the
owners cultivated taste could suggest in
the way OF luxury. Ell Primero is now
actively engaged IN dispensing nautical
comforts to the delighted owner and his
invited guests.