Marietta daily leader. (Marietta, Ohio) 1895-1906, 1899-11-19
The Marietta Daily Leader
SUNDAY, NOV. 10. 1899.
LAUNCHED.
The Francis J, Terrence Now in the
Waters of the Ohio,

An event which attracted consider
able attention, by reason of the cere-
mony by which is was celebrated, was
the launching of the Francis J. Tor
renee at the boat yards of M. G. Knox
&c Son Saturday afternoon. The time
lad been set for three O'Clock, sun
time, but owing to the statement made
in an evening paper number of peo-
pie did not arrive in time to witness
the launching of the vessel
AT three O'Clock the river bank for
hundreds of feet each way on Virginia
street was lined with people, while a
few who were not afraid were aboard
the boat Beside the crowd on the
bank and aboard the boat, there were
a large number who. witnessed the
launching from boats in the river.
AT three o'clock, Captain ]. M. Boyd
Vice President and General Manager
of the Monongahela and Ohio River
Transportation Company, stepped to
the bow of the boat and in brief
speech thanked the people for their
kindness and courtesy in being present
at the launching. He complimented
M. G.. Knox & Son, the builders of the
boat, and Pattin Bros, who are turn
ing cut the machinery, and said that
Marietta should be proud of such in
dustries and such men as had been in
strumental in doing work in the line
represented by the new boat. In con-
clusion Captain Boyd introduced his
sister, Miss Anna Boyd, charming
young lady of Pittsburg, who had been
chosen to formally christen the vessel
He then presented the young lady with
a bottle of champagne, nicely decorat-
ed with ribbons. Miss Boyd stepped
forward, raised the bottle and strik-
ing across the head of the boat, said
with a voice thatr ang out clearly and
distinctly, 81 christen thee Francis ].
| Terrence"
After this time-honored custom had
been duly observed, the workmen be-
gan removing the remaining supports
and as the last one was removed the
mighty structure lurched, swung over
on her side and slid gracefully down
the ways into the waters of the Ohio,
which will be her future home.
Cheer upon cheer from the crowd
marked the success of the undertaking
and the crowd on the boat hastened to
congratulate Capt. Boyd and Mr.. Knox
upon the successful launching of the
vessel. Everything was in good shape
and the boat was in no wise damaged
by her trip. Mr.. Knox considers it one
of the most successful launchings that
has occurred in this city for years.
There were about twenty-five per-
sons aboard the vessel as she went
down. Beside Capt. Boyd, Mr.. Harry
Knox, Patin Bros, representatives of
the city papers and few others, there
were several ladies who made the
trip. This fact is remarkable, as Mr..
knox informs us that this is the first
time that he remembers seeing ladies
take the trip down the ways. u
In the evening an elegant luncheon
was served, to which a number of
Capt. Boyds friends were invited.
The boat is 21O feet keel, ZIG feet
long over all, and "a feet beam, mar
rowing to 80 feet back of the wheel
house. She is of the sidewheel class.
The wood work will be completed by
NJ. G. Knox u Son, the machinery
placed by Pattin Bros. and the vessel
will then be taken to Pittsburg to re-
ceive her finishing touches. All the
finishing will be done in a first-class
way, the furnishings will be luxurious
and the boat will be well fitted for the
business for which she is intended.
She will be used in the Pittsburg ex-
cursion trade and will probably be
ready for business by the beginning of
the excursion season next year.