San Antonio daily light. [volume] (San Antonio, Tex.) 1886-1907, 1895-05-21
HoUsEBoArs From OLD CAns.
Comfortable and Attractive Floating
Quarters Cheaply Made.

quarters Cheaply Made.
Many OF the old horse retired cars
from active service by reason OF the
lines on which they were operated
having been equipped with electric.
| al apparatus were sold by the rail-
road company and have been put
to some very novel uses by their
purchasers, says the San Francisco
Chronicle. Ordinarily they have
been turned into summer houses,
small conservatories, children's
playhouses and one or two have
been utilized as frdlt stands, but
probably the most unique plan is
that originated by J. Mcneil,
who is large owner Of arks at Bel
! vedere.
Mcneil bought four cars at the
rate Of $l5 apiece, loaded on a pom
toon at the water front here. They
were then lowed to Summary cove
across the bay. McNiel then went
to work and built what he thinks is
the superior to any OF his five arks
now on the bay. He is so pleased
with the beauty and coziness of the
first that he already has under con-
struction two more households Of
a similar style.
The pontoon is a large, substant-
ial flatboat or scow, which was
built in San Francisco some time
ago, and has been in service as a
lighter for discharging cargoes
from vessels. Its deck dimensions
are Sc by "a feet over all. On this
hull the four street cars, minus
their running gear, are firmly fas,
tened so as to become part OF the
boat. They are so joined and par
titioned that they make two large
and airy rooms, Is by a feet, with
one small room for a bath and
closet and a kitchen. In each of
the large rooms four double hunks
are placed, and in the bathroom a
cot is kept for the use of the serv-
ant. Each of these sleeping places
is nicely curtained off by a canopy
descending from the ceiling.
The rooms are thoroughly fur
nished and supplied with every
convenience known to the outing
parties that go down to the sea in
ships for their summer fun, rest,
and recreation. The cars are
roomy, and, as the ventilators have
| not been removed, are thoroughly
airy. The windows are brightly
curtained, and make the ark, in it's
queer style and brilliant colors,
look surprising well from any point
of view. The arched roofs and end
hoods have not been removed, nor
have the platforms and handholds.
| There will be wealth of shining
brass to reflect the suns rays and
add to the beauty of the strange
| craft.
In addition to the platform rails
there extends around the outer
| edge Of the pontoon a stout railing
of hempen netting. There are
davits for small gasoline excur-
sion launch, and also three sets Of
them for a corresponding number
of rowhoats. A fine view can be
obtained from either side or end Of
the ark, and at night the dazzling
illumination will make it strik-
ing sight, which will bear out the
name given it by the owners, 1.-THE
Crystal Palace"
The colored reflectors have been
left in the ends Of each of the cars,
and the lights from them will
shine brightly over the ripping
bay to add to the beauty of the
summer evening and guide the ark
dweller to his waverocked home.
This ark has already been rented
to San Francisco society people and
their friends have been so pleased
with its appearance and many COM
Portable points Of usefulness that
even the two under construction
have been rented and will be &C.
cupied as soon as the season opens.
Each OF the house boats will cost
5000 when finished.