The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1900-02-11

The novelty Of a floating hospital and
mission may soon be established in this
city. The Seattle Benevolent Society has
purchased the old side-wheel steamer Idaho
for the purpose. The board of public works
was petitioned yesterday by DR.. Alexander
De Soto. OF the Wayside Mission, to put the
old steamer on a gridiron at the foot of
Jackson street Favorable action by the
board and city council Is the only thing
necessary to the carrying out Of tho plans.
few weeks ago DR.. DE Soto took stroll
along the water front. He had had in mind
for q long time the establishment Of bet
ter hospital in conjunction with the mission.
He saw the old Idaho lying obsolete and
decayfng at the Centennial mill dock and
a. once thought to buy her for floating
hospital for tho sick. the needy and the
homeless. IT do not know what took me
along the water front that day" said the
doctor yesterday 1T must have been Prov
fdence."
Csrpenters Make Alterations.
The old craft was purchased for a few
hundred dollars. exclusive OF the machinery
ana largo boiler Carpenters are already
making repairs 10 the upper works and
state rooms TO make them more comfortable
for sick persons. The galley. the pantry,
the cabins and the other necessary arrange
rnents are all convenient for hospital
anost or ashore. The paddle wheels and
walking beams have been taken out. and
the lofty paddle houses viii be transformed
into bath rooms. with entrances from the
main deck The promoter OF the enterprise,
Or. De Soto seemed much pleased yester-
day that the upper deck and the seats
around the rail would be a pleasant place
for convalescents In the summer time. Capt
he Soto. OF the floating hospital will use
the pilot house for his own quarters He
r. ~. 49, aga -
aboard. The essf. will be heated by steam
The captain will find the necessary furnl-
ture and equipment
IL Is estimated that tho cost of construct
ing the sridiron. for the keel TO rest on,
and OF row OF protecting piles on the OUT
side will he 0oo. Capt DE Soto says tugs
are gathering struggling logs to be used
as piles. TO help the thing along There are
a few struggling piles whore II IL proposed
10 gridiron the Idaho. and the spot has
never been dredged The captain said yes
terday that II he got the consent Of the city
authorities he expected TO have the hospital
In place and open for business about
April
From the Sea TO Md.
The Idaho has been tied up at the dock
for. long time. She used 20 run from
Olympia 70 Seattle and Victoria and was
also on the Alaska run for . time When
IL became known. the other day. that she
had changed hands and would not 60 70 sea
any more. the wharf rats along the front
swsrmed aboard and carried away the lead
fixtures and other detachable valuables.
While the old hulk has been lying DESC
late. neglected and with her keel In the
mud the rain has fallen through her open
matches and into her hull She has not been
pumped out in many months. and her hull
IL about half full OF water. At extreme low
tide. about o'clock last evening. when the
ship was hish and dry. Capt. DE Soto with
an auEer scutted the Idaho and let tho
water run out through several holes. The
holes we're plugged up and she will Neat
again with the rising tide