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

~4o ms been visiting Seattle. wrGse . the
Record mon. giving the result u rome Of
her observations, which will he NJ 10 less
interest 20 Seattleites than 10 Ire readers
OF that paper.
Special Correspondence Recosd-i rion.
l arrived IN Seattle in time TO witness
The launching OF the torrsFs5o boat Rowan.
the arst steel war vessel built GA Puget
sound. Important at any time, the lunch
ing OF this engine Of destruction was espe-
cially interesting because Of our nostila
relations with Spain. The vessel 10 feet
long and seventeen feet wide. was con-
structed 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 cay. and
II is row constructing a number of Alas
kan steamers. OF which | shall speak later.
The navy department exercised strict
supervision Of the torpedo boats eapstruc-
ton, and chose for her the name OF sIRow-
an. in accordance with the custom OK mann
ing torpedo boats for the heroes OF our
navy. Great preparations were made for
the launching, and the shpyard was nlied
with guests, while on the nsighboring
wharvss and mills were about ea.e1o more
spectators. Al o'clock the christening
party took its place on "A platform erected
around the bow. and Nnsn the word
Ready was given. a beautiful woman,
Mrs. Edwin Moale, broke a bottle of wine
on the vessels sharp stem and cried. Il
ehris;en thee Rowan"
The keel blocks were knocked away. and
the vessel started down the ways. salu,ed
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 hound. glid-
"a swiftly into the bosom of the bay the
thought came to me that II the Ruler of
nations did not turn aside the threatening
clouds OF war. her baptism OF wine would
be succeeded by the awful one OF hood.
and her deck. spotiessiy clean and s!sten-
ing with new paint. would be strcwn with
mangied and perishing humanity.
On my next visit to the southern part
OF the city l thought il might be called
a ship farm. for there are forty acres
OF filled in tide iands covered with steam
boats and freight barges in various stages
OF construction. These craft are all in
tended for the Yukon river and other
Alaskan waters. whittier gold seekers are
fiocksng by thousands in the fierce race
for wealth. In one yard counted twenty
six steamboats, and SIX large baTges. / am
told that IL the boats now under con-
struction in Seattle were placed In a 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 TO St. Michael, near
the mouth of the Yukon river. The re-
maiider Will be taken apart and shipped
on sailing or steam vessels 10 Dutch Har-
Dor or ST. Michael. where they will be put
together again.
1t s estimated that fifteen thousand
.atat. hi
spring on the way 10 the mines OF the
frozen north. Most OF them have gone by
steamer from here TO Dyea or Skagway. IA
distance OF about 1000 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 this chain OF lakes to the last,
Lake Lebarge. where they go into camp
10 await the breaking up Of the ice in the
Yukon river This they follow down TO
their respective destinations.
Most OF those who expect 10 reach the
mines by this route have gone. and the
city Is now filing up with Others who
will so by the all-water route from Seat
tie 10 Dawson Vessels are already leav-
ing Seattle for the mouth of the Yukon.
but as the river will not he clear OF Ice
before the lst Of July, the greater num-
Der will not leave here before the i0ih
OF June. / have been told by persons In
position 10 know that as many will at
tempt 10 reach the mines by the all-water
route as have gone over the passes. If
this lie true I can understand why 50
many river boats viii lie needed 10 connect
with the steamers from here. Each boat
can make but two trips a season from
~. Michael to Dawson, and many VIII
not make more shan one. for good river
Pilots are scarce, and large number OF
the boats VIII be compelled 10 depend for
fuei on wood cut by their own crews on
the banks OF the Yukon
This city liz full Of men striving to
make money out Of the Alaska excite
ment, and some OF their attempts 10 at
tract public attention are very amusing
\ man dressed to represent a rooster
struts about town as an advert nent for
a crSs;aihzed egg and another. wearing
red boomers and carrying a PINK sun
shade. rides around on an old high wheel
bicycle TO announce the departure Of an
Alaskan steamer. A Kloaalke clothing
store IS advertised by number OF men
who patrol the streets in blue blanket
suite. with the firms Fame painted 4,
white letters on iheIr hacks
l ti'1d that Sacramento 50 veil represent
ed IN Seattle Harry W. Carroll one OF
our native Sons who represented sscra-
a
responsible position in the city comptrog-
ier's office He has beautiful wife and a
nne baby boy.
J. A. BatilaTEeou, formerly In the esnnIoye
Of Weinstock Lubin g. Co. II now a lead
ing merchant here He has one Of the
largest ana moss artistic residences in the
city. I saw hizu last week AT Madison park
with rhree pretty little children whose
n~i3er MS taken from them two years
ago
J, :. Graham and his wife hoih also for
rner employees az the same firm. have the
leading millinery and cloak hoiIso In Scat
tie They have q s~year-old con. u con-
Portable home near Ar. Bslllargeon's =. ard
wish To to kindly remembered To their
many old Sacramento friends
arm t17d that Bert Taylor has orSa nizsa
a merchant patrol and - dong well
Mr. rTen- a former Sacran1ertan. broth
er OF cur worthy to@n&nen Philip an3 ssa-
phen Tren. has 3 manufacturing plant sa
this city. / visited his family iase week.
and found them well and happy.
David Faulkner. q Sacramento contrac-
tor - hare AZ present. on h1s way 70