The San Juan islander. [volume] (Friday Harbor, Wash.) 1898-1914, 1901-04-25
Correspondents
OTIS NEWS NOTES

The fslr-trap men this year are taking
time by the forelcck. Already two camps
are i'm full blast at south Lopez and two
others may shortly be established. The
Frank Womer camp is at the extreme
end of the island, bn the Waldell place.
| The men are comfortably housed, and
well cared for in the cook house, where
Mrs. Womer presides, assisted by Mrs.
Thompson. Their trap is driven and only
part of the lead is to be put in. Being
well out in the rapid tide current and
| with deep water it may he hard to hold
the piles, otherwise the trap is bound to-
be a success.
The Fairhaven Canning Company's
main camp Is at the old Pike location on
the Sperry place. A large force of men
are a. present quartered in two roomy
bunk houses. Mrs. NJ. E. Lomler, as
sisted by her husband, provides the nee
essary daily nourishment. All are busy
in the preparation of web for the trap
shortly to be driven here and for traps at
other locations. On the bay side of the
spit a gridiron has just been driven
where the company's scows will be over
hauled and repaInted. The fact that the
men at those two camps have subscribed
for several daily papers shows that they
are bound to keep abreast with the times.
Quiet now reigns at our shipyard. The
two steamers have tax EN- to the water and
departed. First, Capt. Davis, after hav
ing replanked and repaired his fine
modelled Harry" slid her-or him-back
into the boyant element and it was not
long till she bid us goodbye and
| steamed out through Lopez pass.
On the 18th quite a number of gentle
men and ladies were present to see the
launching OF the alpha" In order to
meet the contract with Capt Marcusen,
the boat had to be put into the water few
days earlier than the new-moon tide.
The ceremonies, too, could not well take
place in the night when the tide was
highest. hence she did not float at first
on taking her maiden dip. But the next
morning rev called the new vessel safely
moored to the end of the long wharf. The
christening was perfoI by Miss Ella
| ~ >.
Schruder arranged the launching, there
was not hitch. The shapely craft when
let loose slid beautifully down the ways
and had the tide been in, she would not
have tarried. Next day the Eclipse came
in and the owner was pleased to find his
fine new steamer launched and waiting
to start on her first voyage. With the
builders aboard the towing tug, it was
not long till the beautiful steamer was
lost TO view on her way to Fairhaven.
May good LUX attend the first steamer
built at the Otis shipyard. On reaching
| Fairhaven we learn that the owners and
builders were highly congratulated by
both press and public for the production
of such comely staunch craft. Her engine
and boiler will soon be put in place, when
she will at once be put into commission.
While the steamers were on the ways
and again on the day of launching the
Alpha our skilled artists, Mr.. and Mrs
Il. Cary, of this island, were present to
take Photographic views. So well do they
execute their art that we can recommend
them to all who may wish to get pictures
taken. Some of their samples of family
groups cannot be excelled.
Though our bay has lowly name, it is
nevertheless beautiful sheet of water.
Especially is the view from the foot of
the new dock, looking ncrthward, pictur-
esque. On the day Mr.. Cary took this
view Mt. Constitution was hoary with
snow and looked grand as he doomed
high above The dark blue waters of Lopez
sound that filed the vision in front.