The record-union. [volume] (Sacramento, Calif.) 1891-1903, 1898-05-20
GOSSIP FROM SEATTLE CITY.
WHAT A SACRAMENTAN SAW
TO INTEREST HER.
Launching of the Torpedo Boat
Rowan Travel to Alaska, and
Other Matters.


Rowan, the first steel war vessel built
on Puget Sound. Important at any
time, the launching of this engine of
destruction was especially interesting,
because Of our hostile relations with
Spain. The vessel, 10 feet long and II
| feet wide, was constructed by the
Moran Bros Company at their ship
yard in the southern part of this city.
This company built the Government
tug Golden Gate, which has proved the
| fastest vessel on San Francisco Bay,
and it is now constructing a number
of Alaskan steamers, of which 1 shall
speak later
The Navy Department exercised
strict supervision Of the torpedo boats
| construction, and chose for her the
name of Rowan, in accordance with the
custom OF naming torpedo boats for
the heroes OF our navy. Great prepara-
lions were made for the launching. and
the shipyard was filed with guests.
| while on the neighboring wharves and
mills were about 10000 more specta-
tors. AT u o'clock the christening party
look It's place on platform erected
around the bow, and when the word
READY was given, beautiful woman.
Mrs Edwin Moale, broke a bottle of
| VINE on the vessels sharp stem and
cried, I christen thee Rowan"
The keel blocks were knocked away.
and the vessel started down the ways.
saIuted by the whistles of the mills and
| steamers, by patriotic air from the
pand, and great cheer from the thous-
ands OF eager and enthusiastic specta-
tors. While the Rowan, slim and
graceful as hound, glided swiftly into
the bosom of the bay, the thought came
TO me that if 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 blood
ana her deck, spotlessly clean and
ghstening with new paint, would be
streWn with mangled and perishing hui
manity
On my next visit to the southern part
OF the city 1 thought it might be called
a snip farm, for there are forty acres
| OF nIled in tide lands covered with
| steamboats, and freight barges in va
rlous stages of construction. These
cratt are all intended for the Yukon
| River and other Alaskan waters
| whittier gold seekers are focking bv
thousands in the fierce race for wealth
IN one yard L counted twenty-sfx
steamboats, and six large barges. am
| loId that II the boats now under con-
| stFuctlon IN Seattle were placed in q
row, END on, they would make a contin-
uous string three miles in length. The
| vessels nave seen are being staunchi-
~ pulIt, and although they are intend
ed Tor inland waters, many of them
VIII go under their own steam from
mere TO st. Michael near the mouth of
the Yukon River The remainder will
De taken apart and shipped on sailing
OF steam vessels to Dutch Harbor or
81. Michael, where they will be put
together again.
1t is estimated that fifteen thousand
people have passed through Seattle
TINS spring on their ways to the mines
OF the frozen north. Most of them have
| gone by steamer from here to Dyea
or Skaguay, distance of about =
OUO miles. From both these places
! trails cross the mountains thirty or
forty miles to 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 LIE Barge, where they go
| INTO camp to await the breaking lid of
the ice in the Yukon River. This thew
follow down to their respective destina-
tons.
MOST of those who expect to reach the
mines by this route have gone. and the
city is now filling up with others who
VIII go by the ah-water route from Sc
attic to Dawson. Vessels are already
leaving Seattle for the mouth of the
Yukon, but as the river will not he
| clear OF ice before the 1st Of july the
| greater number will not leave here be-
fore the 10th of June. I have haen
tod by persons in position to know that
as many will attempt to reach the
mines by the all-water route as have
gone over the passes. If this be true
can understand why so MANY river
ooats will be needed to connect with
the steamers from here Each boat
can make but two trips a season from
81. Michael to Dawson and manv will
not make more than one. for good
river pilots are scarce. and a large
number of the boats will be compellad
to depend for fuel on wood cut bv
their own crews on the banks of the
Yukon.
Inls city is full of men striving to
make money out of the Alaska excite
ment, and some of their attenpts to at
tract public attention are very anus
| ing. "A man dressed to represent a
rooster struts about town as an adyer-
tlsement for a crystallized egg. and an
other, wearing red boomers and carry
ing pink sunshade, rides around on
an old high-wheel bicycle to announce
the departure of an Alaskan steamer
a hIondike clothing store is advertised
oy number of men who patrol the
streets in blue blanket suits, with the
nrm's name painted in white letters on
their backs.
l find that Sacramento is we'll repre-
sented in Seattle. Harry w. Carroll,
one Of our Native Sons, who represent
ed sacramento County in the Legisla-
ture, holds a responsible position in the
City Comptroller's Office. He has
beautiful wife and fine baby boy
J. A. Baillargeon, formerly in the en-
ploy of Weinstock Lubin & Co.. is now
leading merchant here He has one
of the largest and most artistic resi-
dences in the city. 1 saw him last week
at Madison Park with three pretty little
children, whose mother was taken from
them two years ago.
j. S. Graham and his wife both also
former employees of the same firm, have
the leading millinery and cloak house
in Seattle. They have a six-year-old
son. comfortable home near Mr.. Bail
llargeon's, and wish to be kindly renem-
bered to their many old Sacramento
friends.
I am told that Bert Taylor has or
ganized a merchant patrol and is doing