The daily morning Astorian. [volume] (Astoria, Oregon) 1883-1899, 1895-03-12
THE BAILEY GATZERT
She Arrived Yesterday After
noon With COlOrs Flying.
A Floating Palace and Speedy One
at That--A Description Of the
Magnificent Steamer.

-
Yesterday was Bailey Gatzert day
on the Columbia and from Portland to
Astoria the populace gathered along
the shores on either side, cheered for
the new boat, as she passed by, ol
slipped gracefully INTO a landing and
took on passenger after passenger until
her decks were swarming with people.
The Bailey Gatzert left Portland at
7 O'Clock a. m. on the Telephones old
time, having on beoard, besides the
officers of the Columbia River and p
get Sound Navigation Company, TO
whom the splendid steamer belongs, a
large number Of passengers, many OF
whom were making the journey out OF
a desire to be numbered among those
who would go with the boat on her
maiden trip The day promised to be
rather heavy when the journey began,
but about noon the clouds parted, and
drifted away, leaving food of warmth
and sunshine over the whole river dur
ing the balance of the trip. A good
many of THE passengers were looking
for the Gatzert to have a brush with
the Potter on the way down, but in
this they were doomed to disappolnt-
ment, for Captain Crang didn't propose
to take any chances with the new
steam steering gear which he had
never before handled, and Chief Engin-
eer Evans had too much regard for
his new machinery to risk heating II
by fast run, on the very first day
out. One or two minor accidents hap
pened on the way down, but they caus.
ed no delay or inconvenience to speak
Of, and might have happened on any
other occasion, under ordinary circum-
stances.
ALI morning the passengers went
from one part Of the vessel to another
and viewed with delight the magni-
fcence Of the steamers decorations and
Whichever way ont
turned almost, their reflection stared
at them from oddlooking mirrors, set
IN pillars and walls. The richness of
the deep soft carpets on the different
"abfns, the richly colored walls with
exquisite hand-palnted panels; the
fan-lights over the state
rooms; the myriad Of electric lights;
beautiful tapestries, everything that
could add to the elegance and comfort
Of the vessel, caused one to stare with
wonder at the splendor OF
this floating palace of western river.
Sudh things would not, perhaps, cause
comment on the Mississippi
or Hudson river steamers, for down
there the steamboats, must necessarily
be OF the very finest build and equip
ment to be able 10 compete with the
railroads for passenger traffic. None
Of the Eastern steamers, however, have
finer staterooms than those of the Bal
ley Gatzert. Her sleeping apartments
are roomy, we'll ventilated and nicely
furnished. A new feature of the boat
Is her upper deck, on which Is a for
ward and after ''teNas." In the latter
are fourteen staterooms, there being
two single berths in each apartment.
They are perhaps the best sleeping
apartments ON the boat, as they are
away from the noise of the lower cab
ms, and besides are unusually we'll ven-
tilated Like the lower staterooms
which have two double berths in each,
.hese rooms are we'll furnished. Just
)ff the ladies cabin are two exquisitely
furnished bridal chambers" q peep
1t which ds like looking into a perfect
little fairy bower Elegant cushioned
ind upholstered chairs are about the
aides cabin in abundance, and around
he walls are magmlficently upholstered
eats. This latter feature can also be
ound In the gentlemen's cabin. Stew.
.rd McGlllis and Purser DonaIhue have
comfortable quarters on the first cabin
loor while up in the forward texas
'aptatn Crang, Pilot Darkins, and Chief
Engineer Evans and other officers OF
he boat have large and commodious
uarters. The pilot house is another
plendid feature of the boat. It is
cached from the upper deck by a
ong, broad stairway, and when once in
he house its aze surprises one. The
teerlng gear Is operated with steam
nd moves much more quickly than
n the Telephone, which gets Its power
rom hydraulic pressure. Down in the
ngine room the arrangement is very
Imilar to the old Telephone, except
han an electric light plant has been
dded, and slightly different engines
rive the big wheel at a terrific speed,
lew cylinders have replaced the old,
ut aside from this but little change |
as been made A system of electric |
ellis connects with the pilot house and |
roves a great convenience. There are
lany minor points that could be de-
,ribed about the splendid equipment |
I the steamer but lack of space for
Ids further mention, unless 1t be OF
lree frames that hang on the forward
Illar OF the gentlemens cabin, The
,ames are OF magnificently carved an
que oak. and inclose the licenses OF
aptain Crang, Pilot LArEins and the
ate.
The trip down the river was series
ovations from the people along the
,ute. At Cathlamet flags were dipped
ON several poles in honor OF the Cat
'rt, and THE inhabitants were all on
and to witness the arrival and de-
arture. When she reached Tongue
olnt the Manzanlta gave her rous,
e salute which was answered by the
whistle of the Gatzert.
n unexpected surprise awaited the
Gamer at her dock, where hundreds