The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1898-05-27
TWELVE RIVER STEAMERS.
Largest Fleet for a Three-Thousand
Mile ocean Trip.

The largest fleet Of river steamers that
ever left a port for a 3,oo0m mile ocean trip
VIII leave Seattle early next week for the
mouth of the Yukon river. An even dozen
steamers are in the fleet and are Identical
from stem 10 stern in equipment, machinery
and decking. They are the boats recently
completed by Moran Bros Company on the
tide fats. The powerful ocean tugs Reso-
lutte and Hoyoke will convoy the feet and
tow five big river barges 1t Is possible
tina. additional tugs will be sent out with
tho steamers
The stern wheel boats will have to cover
al least 400 miles to get 10 St. Michael.
They Will not put out 70 sea, but follow
close 10 the shore line. They will even so in
and out of the deeper bays like Prince
William sound. The boats are due Al st.
Michael the latter part OF June. and Mo-
ran Bros. think the trip can be made in
twenty-five days. The month Of June is
the rleasantest in northern waters and
they anticipate no trouble whatever In
Steaming the boats to 81. Michael In case
Of an emergency the tugs Will he able 10
handle any of the steamers that may be
disabled.
Several OF the vessels left their berth on
the tide flats yesterday afternoon and
steamed around 10 thu old Kerry mill
wharf. Others went over TO Port Blake
ley to load cord wood for the trip north.
Full crews for the open season on the Yu-
kon were shipped on most OF the vessels
yesterday This work will be completed
today. The vessels viii be rather heavily
loaded with cord wood al the start. but the
fires viii soon tighten them up. The fire.
men have received instructions to be very
careful OF fuel and water
The only special preparation for the long
ocean trip h the closing M Of the deck
house at The bow. which presents solid
house 10 the waves. The vessels are all fit
led with electric lights ard the crew has
comfortable quarters. Special precautions
agains; fires have oeen taken and a code
OF signals arranged.
The steamers composing the feet are the
]. I. Light. F. X Gustin and n. r. Camp
hell. belonging 70 the Seattle & Yukon
Transportation Company: the 81. Michael.
Victoria. Tacoma and Seattle belonging 20
tho Empire Transportation Company; the
Western Star belonging TO the Blue Star
Navigation Company. the Robert Kerr be-
longing 10 tina Frank Waterhousa Company.
Limited: the OIL City. belonging 10 re
standar! oil Company; the Mary F, Graf
ana Pilgrim. whose owners have not yet
5@eU made puoiic.
Al - the vessels are Is feet N length, 3
fee: beam and feet inches depth OF
hold Inspectors Bryant and Cherry gave
thr steamers their official inspection a few
days ago They say that the river steam
e-s are Rs file rs could possibly be built.
Eo2eyt Moran. president Of Moran Bros
Company. expects 10 50 0oyth On one of the
river steamers. HE Will probably be A pas
sr"Str on the Pilgrim. The feet will not
touch AZ putch Haroor as some I'D miles
GAR 3" saved by soing through another
pass Nj Moran said yesterday 10 q Post
lHte.. Seover reporter that ne believed that
t1- lr = cul33 he made with entire safety Al
t~%' season 81 The year. The boats ara bui.t
.0 Che strongest possible manner and The
nt-ttst- Conditions now prevailing are most
favorable