The Arizona sentinel., 1901-06-26
LIGHTER NO. ,.
Captain Smith SuperinteEds Its Launching for His MexiCan=ColO-
 raG0 Navigation Co.

Last Friday, June 21st, was the day set for the launching of one of the finest lighters ever constructed at this port. by Captain A. B. Smith for the MeXi- can-COlorado Navigation Company at the shipyards, at the old quartermas- ter's depot, West Yuma. The day was fine for the event and hundreds turned out to witness it.
 It is beautiful craft, appropriately painted, her name, "Lighter No. 2'' in large black letters on the starboard and pert sides. also on each side, about amidships, in large. shOwy letters, ''M. C. N. Co.," representing the company which owns and constructed her: astern is the word 'TranspOrtatiOn,' indicat- ing the important purpose for which she is to be used. She will register under fifty tons, and a more strongly | built craft has never been constructed in these waters, showing conclusively that Captain Smith is thoroughly con versant with the needs of his company and what is specially adapted to the navigation on the Colorado river
 The hour being near for the launch ing, all was being made ready. Capt. Smith gave orders to his foreman, Mr. J. J. Kenny, to make ready and let her go; and while she was resting so beau tifully upon the ''ship's ways" crude oil was poured upon the sides. Foreman Kenny mounted the deck on the for ward bow, gave his men orders to make fast the long forward line to the tree on the bank. While this. was being done Foreman Kenny stood hard by to his post, ready to make fast his end of the line when the boat struck the wa ter, as she had four feet of drop when she passed the end of the ''ship's ways, and during this time of making ready about dozen citizen spectators mount ed the decks.
 It was now 2.30 p. m. All ready" called out Foreman Kenny. Then from Captain Smith, Let her go!'' The men knocked out the blocks that held her on the steep shoot, and away she went like shot out cannon. She struck the water like duck, gliding off like 8 fairy queen of the waters. Dur ing this exciting moment Foreman Kenny was seen rustling with the line to make it fast. At the same time the lighter was making lightning speed to- ward the center of the river with her living freight. Captain Smiths orders to ''Hold on to her, boys!' were without avail, as she wouldn't be held. Her culean efforts by the men and foreman failed and she got away and down the river-i-O she flew with all on board. One could see the crowd on her floating away, helpless, to the sea, and it was plain they did not relish the voyage ahead. They rushed about the decks, i frantically, while the people on the banks shouted and whOoped at the top on Captain Smith ordered his men, All hands to boats!" Billy Smith and two ether men at once jumped into row boats of the company and off they shot for the runaway lighter, which by this time was fully a mile dowu the river. Chief Engineer Smith was forcing steam into the boiler of the steamer San Jorge. It seemed but moment until she was flying down the stream in the direction of the Gulf of California. By this time the lighter with her load of frightened passengers was nearly out of sight. She was finally overtaken by the steamer and in few moments we saw her coming up the river under the strong arm of the steamer San Jorge. Closer and closer she came un- til in full view of all the people ashore. All aboard were waving their hats and giving a college yell at the top of their voices. She glided along at a speed that was surprising to all who witness ed the enjoyable sight. She came safe ly to her berth and made fast, and be- side her now lies the steamer San Jorge, as if to say, "I'll see that you do not get away again." It was easily seen, the joy beaming on the faces of the lighters passengers as they came ashore, all expressing their joy over the experiences of the trip, and their safe return to terra firma.
 This was one of the most enjoyable occurrences ever witnessed in Yuma, and everybody enjoyed it most heartily, The only man that seems dOwncast is Foreman Kenny. He did his best to
 make fast the line on forward ''bit'' of the lighter, but the ''bit'' was too slick for Jimmie, so they all went adrift. But all returned safe again, we'll satis- fled with the days sport.