The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1897-09-02

Many people We're surprised when the
scheme was first announced for building
a Yukon river steamer in this city and
transporting il up TO ST Michael on board
an ocean steamer. Perhaps a stu great
er exhibition OF American enterprise IS
seen in the shipment OF steel steamer
overland from Chicago to Seattle. In adj
dition TO sending 1t from the latter point
TO the mouth of the Yukon.
The nrst stage in this enterprise was ac-
complished last night when five special
freight cars arrived over the Northern
Pacific bearing a complete river steam
er that had been shipped all the way
through from Toledo, o.. having left there
at o'clock on the afternoon Of August
81
This steamer was formerly the Valley
City, and sne used 10 run on the Maumee
river. She is new vessel. having been
in service only one season. Her over
land voyage is due 10 the North Ameri-
can Transportation & Trading Company,
Tor whom she was purchased in Toledo
on August Is oy Capt. Z. d. Comings,
who has been for a day or two at the
Butler hotel in anticipation of her ar
rival. Capt. Comings had carte blanche
orders from President Weare TO purchase
the steamer. and he bought her just as
she stood in the water. Within six days
she was loaded on the cars. consisting
a
ed for Seattle by way Of the Michigan
Central. the Chicago & Great Western,
and the Northern Pacific.
The task of taking her to pieces and
loading her on the train was by no means
small one. The steel plates overlapped
In such fashion as to make the problem
or hitting them into car lengths an in
tricate and complicated one. When Capt.
Comings passed through Chicago. both
Mr.. Cudahy and Mr.. Weare. OF the y. a.
i. I. Co., paid him cordial complf-
ments on the expedition shown. His con-
tract called for landing the steamer in
Seattle by September 10. He is just one
week ahead of time.
AT first IL was decided TO send the VAL
ley City, which is hereafter TO be known
as the John c. Barr. north on the Cieve-
land. but 1t was ascertained that that
vessel had not sufficient deck room, and
so 1t has been decided to make the ship
ment on the Portland leaving Seattle
September TO-
To one who meets Capt. Comings per-
sonally IL IS not matter OF surprise
that he should accomplish what he I'M
dertakes. A native of New Hampshire.
he has settled in the Middle West, and he
possesses all the shrewdness of one sec
ton combined with the energy of the
other He is an old Missouri river steam
boatman, having been identified with the
4
Guidon, while IN Mississippi river steam
boat circles his name is associated with
such steamers as the Commonwealth, the
| W. X. Arthur and the Pauline Carroll.
| 1t fell 10 his lot to plan and execute the
entire shipment of the Barr. 1t was he
| who arranged the terms of purchase and
| the plan of shipment He secured the
services of the following Toledoans. who
/ accompanied the steamer on her overland
| journey and arrived with her last night:
| Herbert La France, one of the best
| known long distance bicycle riders in the
| country and an expert iron worker; Mich
| olas Furry, Dollar Spratt, who is to be
| the Bars chief engineer and c. W. An
drews, who is 70 be her second engineer.
My purpose" said Capt. Comings last
night in having these men come right
along with the steamer on the train was
that IN case any accident or delay occurred
might communicate with them person
ally, and | had the fullest confidence that
they would be able 20 adjust any fric ion
, that might arise in the way of handling
/ the steamer as freight, as well as LOOK
] after the special interests demanded by
the shipment of her plates and machinery.
The cabin, house and upper fittings of
/ the Barr" continued Capt. Comings. will
be put on by Moran Bros, of this city, and
judging by the excellent work they have
done for the government and for private
contractors, l do not doubt for a moment
that they will make an excellent job. Mr..
Neare has been recently in New York
lnahlflg contracts with the management OF
two ocean liners aud several sailing YES
seis 10 carry freight in connection with the
ooats which the company proposes 10 oper-
ate ON the Yukon. Besides the five boats
that are now being constructed in this city
{ by Moran Bros. l have Instructions from
the company 10 secure figures and esti-
| mates at once on six steel steamers larger
I than the Bar. IL IL likely. though not
I certain. that tho Craig Shipbuilding Com
pany the builders of the Barr, viii build
most If not all OF them. The company in
ar IN
upper Yukon. These. IL Is estimated, will
have capacity OF from go To 600 passea-
while / was In Toledo / had applica-
I tons from all classes OF people who were
/ DESTROYS OF shipping with the Barr. OF
/ course under the circumstances. / could
| select very few. One very well-knoWIf and
/ wealthy lady, whose name l do not think
/ IL would be prudent for me 10 give. called
/ upon me twice and ask me what clothing
and equipment would be necessary for hey
! to make the trip. / look for an immense
exodus to SEATTLE with The opening months
Of next spring, as this city is pre~eminsnty
the oGtthtting point for Alaska and the
Yukon
The Valley City or as she will hencefor-
ward be called. the John c. Barr viii have
a complete electric light plant. giving her
100 lamps OF lG-candle power, besides her
searchlightA She has a steel huh, and ten
/ water-tight compartments. which render
the sinking OF the steamer almost an i'm
/ possibility. Her commander will be Capt.
| d. III. Talbot. of Sioux City. la The
/ Craig Shipbullding Company. by whom
! she was constructed. is one of the most ex-
tensive steel steamer building companies in
America and has won special distinction
by the construction of the famous ice
breaking steamers On the Great Lakes.
Capt. Comings is of the opinion that some
OF The later steamers buiIt FOR the Yukon
may be on the same general plan as these
boats that have been able TO churn up the
lee OF the lakes and pound out a passage
when other steamers had 10 report that
navigation was closed.
Light salmon Pack i'm Alaska.
SAN FRANCISCO, Sept. 1.-The ship