Okolona messenger. (Okolona, Miss.) 1900-current, 1903-01-21
STEAMER G R
New Jersey Town Where Many Old
Eastern Vessels Lie.
wsn-KnOwn River Graft That have
become Worn Out Find a Rest
ing Place ON the Raritan's
Bnmkn.

-
II appears to have been left for the
residents Of the little town Of Perth
Amboy TO prove that the Hindoo belief
IN the transmigration of souls is a re-
atty, at least, as far as boats are con
cerned, says the St. LouE Republic.
Steam craft which in years gone by
made great records in the local waters
and later were dragged out of the
busy swirl tired of the struggle, are
to-day so much a part Of the Raritan
river town that their names are house
hold words there.
The graveyard Of old vessels has had
q day Of resurrection.
The valiant spirit Of each has left
cold boiler and paralyzed engine to
take up its abode in dwellings, decora-
tions and the hundred and one things
into which its dismembered but resur-
rected body has been transformed.
During the last few years many we'll
Known boats have been brought to-
gether on the shelving banks Of the
Raritan river, where the junkman de-
Cides their destiny.
The giantess Of them all is the
famoua old Albany boat Drew.
Close beside her are the fre-ravaged
bulls Of the terrybOats Elizabeth and
EAainhAld.
The woEn-Out nUEybog4 Central and
Ne Inflated NOrthAeId ere rubbing
Sheir noses in a friendly way with the
rise and fall Of the tide against the
DreW's port quarter.
The ~half-burned Thomas MeManus
keeps well under water on the river
side Of the feet
The side-wheel steamer ColOnia, OF
Philadelphia, which was condemned as
unseaworthy after the last Information
al yacht races, and the famous old
1erryboat Chancellor, the only Craft o
cross the bay during the blizzard Of
lsS, have both settled high up in the
sands.
These boats represent more than
$1,000, 900 In original cost, and are In
all stages Of dismantlement.
Probably one Of the greatest boons
that ever came to Perth Amhoy vas
the steamer Drew.
She was towed to her present berth
alittle more than a year ago.
From the outside she appeared to
be a great unwieldy hulk OF little
value, but within she has proved to be
a veritable treasure ship.
Houses have been built from the
-well-seasoned planhng Of her super
structure.
The panel work and rich carvings Of
her 400 and more staterOoms have been
used for interior decorations, and the
Etaterooms themselves for store
houses.
There IL one stateroom which has
been left just where 1t was when the
old river boat made her last trip.
Money cannot buy 1t from the junk
man.
The pleasant memories of his hon
eymoon stil linger with 1t.
From one end Of the craftt to the 9TH
or Il Is the only spot which viii not feel
the sharp edge Of the Wreckers' tools,
With the exception Of that part OF
the Drew which has been used by the
aunluman himself in the construction
Of living quarters for his men and a
combination office and storehouse, in
the heart Of the town, all the material
has been sold at a good price.
An elderly widow is the proud owner
Of a comfortable home made entirely
from the Drew.
Her dog and chickens are also snugly
housed within a portion of the resur-
rected craft.
So extrayagant were the builders OF
the boat in the selection of materials
used for her construction that carpen-
ters and decorators of the town have
purchased almost the entire super
structure, although it is as yet NOT
more than half dismantled.
In the building trade there is a de-
mand for DREW timber" and among
decorators q call for "Drew trim
mings,"
The foregoing is the spirit OF the
Drew made manifesti in Perth AmbOy.
It Is not confined there alone, how
ever, for all over the country there il
9 demand for some part Of her con.
Gtruction.
The giant parts Of her engines have
already gone to the steel works Of
Pennsylvania and Connecticut to b.
fashinoed into car wheels, axles and
building material.
atde~Tracked.
r " a. -L4aAAa a. nj.