The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1898-06-07


Record-Union, giving the result Of some OF
her observations. which viii be OF no less
interest 70 Seatileites than 10 The rtaders
of that paper.
Special Correspondence Record-5rion
l arrived IN Seattle ia time 10 witness
the launching Of the torpedo boat Rowan.
the arst steel war vessel bails oh Puget
sound. Important al any time, the launch
ing Of this engine Of destruction was espe-
cia!ly interesting because OF cur hostile
relations With Spain. The vessel. lao feet
long and seventeen feet wide, WAS con-
siructed by the Moran Bros Company. at
Their shipyard in the southern part OF this
city. This company built the government
tug Golden Gate. which has proved the
fastest vessel on San Francisco nay, and
* IS now constructing number of Alas
kan steamers. OF which shall speak later.
The navy department exercised strict
supervision of the torpedo boats corStruc-
ton. and chose for her the name OF Row
an, In accordance with the custom CT NAM
ing torpedo boats for the heroes Of our
navy. Great preparations were made for
the launching, and the shipyard was filled
with guests, while on the nsighhor1ng
wharves and mills were about 2l090 more
spectators At 8 O'clock the christening
party took its place on a platform erected
around the bow, and wnen the word
Mrs Edwin Moals. broke a bottle of wine
on the vessels sharp stem and cried. Il
chris:en thee Rowan
The keel blocks were knocked away. and
the vessel started down the ways. saluted
by the whistles of the mills and steamers,
by a patriotic air from the band and "a
great cheer from the thousands OF eager
and enthusiastic spectators. While the
Rowan. slim and graceful as "A houBJ. Gid
4 50 int of IA ha e,.a
thought came 10 me that il the Ritter OF
nations did not turn aside tho threatening
clouds OF war her baptism OF wine would
be succeeded by the awful one % blood.
and her deck. spotlessly clean and glfsfen-
ing with new paint, would he strewa with
mangied and perishing humanity.
On my next visit 10 the southern part
of the city l thought 1t might be called
a ship farm. for there are forty acres
OF filled in tide lands covered with steam
boats and freight barges III various stages
OF construction. These craft are all in
tended for tho Yukon river and other
Alaskan waters. whittier gold seekers are
hocking by thousands In the fierce race
for wealth. In one yard counted twenty
six steamboats, and six large barges. L am
told that II the boats now under con-
struction in Seattle were placed In IA row.
end on, they would make continuous
string three miles in length. The vessels
/ have seen are being staunchly built. and
although they are intended for inland wa
tiers. many OF them will go under their
own steam from here 10 st. Michael. near
the mouth of the Yukon river. The re-
mainder viii be taken apart and shipped
on sailing or steam vessels TO Dutch Har.
Dor or st. Michael, where they will be put
together again.
1t IS estimated that fifteen thousand
people have .Iasesod through Seattle this
spring on the way TO the mines of the
frozen north. Most OF them have gone by
steamer from here 10 Dyea or Skagway a
distance OF about go miles. From both
these places trails cross the mountains
thirty or forty miles 10 the lakes that
form the headwaters OF the Yukon river.
Here the pilgrims build small boats and,
putting them on sleds, proceed on the ice
across tbs chain OF lakes 10 the last,
Lake Lebarge. where they go into camp
10 await the breaking up Of the zee in the
Yuken river. This they follow down 10
their respective destinations.
Most OF those who expect to reach. the
mines by this route have gone. aud the
city IS now filling up with others who
Will 90 by the all-water route from Seat
tie to Dawson. Vessels are already leay-
ing Seattle for the mouth of the Yukon
but as the river viii not be clear OF ice
before the 1st Of July, the greater num-
o. June, / have been told by persons in
position 10 know that as many will at
tempt 10 reach the mines by the al;-water
route as have gone over the passes. IL
this be true. | can understand why 20
many river boats will lie needed to connect
with the steamers from here. Each boat
can make but two trips a season from
ST. Michael TO Dawson. and many viii
not make more than one. for good river
nj lar iz- ssS
the boats will be compelled to depend for
fuel on wood cut By their own crews on
the banks OF the Yukon.
This city Is full Of men striving 10
make money out OF the Alaska excite
ment, and some Of their attempts TO at
tract public attention are very amusing
A man dressed TO represent "A rooster
struts about town as an advert aSernent for
a erys;allized egg. and another. wearing
red boomers and carrying a pink sun
shade, rides around on an old high wheel
o.eyci. to announce the departure Of an
Alaskan steamer. A KlondiKe clothing
store IS advertised by a number Of men
who patrol the streets TIA blue blanket
suits with the firms name painted In
white letters on their backs
find that Sacramento Is well repres. nj
ed in Seattle. Harry W. Carroll one Of
cur native sonss. who represented Sacra-
meHto county tn the Legislature holds a
responsible position In the city cornptrol-
ler's office. He has beautiful wife and a
fire baby boy.
+. \. BaiIlargeon formerly IN the esnpioye
Of Ne1nStoek. Luoir. & Co Is row a lead
ing merchant here. He has one Of the
largest ana mos: artistic residences In the
city. saw him iasy week at Madison park
with taree pretty little children. whose
:ner Wis taken from them two years
ago.
J. :. GFsaam ard his wife both leo for
r15er employees OF the same firm. have the
leading millinery and cloak house in Seat
tie Trey have "a s-year-ola con. a com
forfa5ie home near Nr. Baliia rEe0n'n and
wish 70 be kindly remembered 10 their
many old Sacramento friends
I arr told that Bert Taylor has organized
a merchant patrol and ID dong vel
Mr CreT, a former SacTHmeaGan. broth
er OF our worthy ton nsTnen. Pnilip ana sa-
aaen trren. has "A manufacturing plant in
this city. ! visited nls family last week
ana found thsTn Vel and happy.
TDayf3 Faulkner. "a Sacramento contrsc~
tor. T. here q, prssent. on has nay 10
Alaska.
seattle "a z astfgntglt place 10 vJsit