New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1905-05-21
THE RICHMOND LAUNCHED.
MAYOR RIDES DOWN WAYS
Port Richmond IN Holiday attire for
Naming of City Ferryboat.


The only one of the five new city Staten Island
ferryboats, built in a local shipyard was
launched yesterday at Staten Island. The waters
of the Kill Won Kull were at mean high tide
when at 9:45 o'clock, the signal was given by
Borough President Cromwell for the workmen TO
cut away the blocks holding the boat fast on the
ways Miss Mae F. Davidson, daughter Of the
vice-president OF the Burlee Dry Dock Company,
builders Of the boat, broke bottle of champagne
the bow of the craft
Never was there a more successful launching.
The boat slid down the ways gracefully, and as
she struck the water of the kills cheer went up
from the thousands OF people that filed the ship
yards, shores and Jersey flats. The boat cut
through the water across to the Jersey shore,
where line was made fast to two tugs and she
was hauled back. On the boat as she slid down
the ways were Mayor Mcclellan. Dock Commits
sioner Featherson, Thomas F. Smith, secretary
of Tammany Hall, and several policemen.
AS the boat was made fast to the pier the first
20 step ashore was the Mayor, who thus fulfilled
his promise, made year ago, to return within
year on the deck Of OF the new ferTyboats.
This promise was remembered by many who
stood on the pier and cheer went up for the
Mayor.
After the return of the boat to the pier the
Mayor and other officials and about three hun
where a luncheon was served. The Mayor who
sat at the head of the table; Commissioner
Featherson, w. J. Burlee. President Cromwell,
John j. Kenney, L. L. Tribus, w. S. Van Chef
r. Grant Crabtree, H. P Morrison, Sheriff Nc
Cormack Sidney F. Rawson, Harry Dun Wiman
Thomas C. Brown. e. P. Doyle Maybury Elem
ing, A G. Wilson. general manager of the Mary
land Steel Company; Franklin c. Witt and
Thomas r Smith were among the guests. Many
women were present also.
Mr.. Featherson introduced the Mayor. Cheer
after cheer was given for him In his address,
after dwelling on the need Of new ferry ser
vice, and the many problems that had to be
overcome before it became a reality, the Mayor
said:
A municipal ferry should be operated nv q
municipality, and with that in view the prob
lem confronted Is how should we operate the
ferry. I realized that to be successful it was
essential that 1t should be successful from the
start, and for this reason 1 signed the Burr bill
retaining the employees Of the present ferry from
the pilot down. These men will be retained
under the Civil Service laws. I am a believer
in Civil Service because I know 1t stands Tor
righteousness and good government.
Commissioner Featherson stated that plans
were being prepared for the operation Of a ferry
to stapleton and Port Richmond in conjunction
with that to St George.
After the luncheon the Mayor, President
commissioner teatherSOn, Fire Com
missioner Hayes, Fire Chief Croker, w. 7
Burlee. Miss Davidson and others were taken
In three large automobiles to st. George, where
they assembled to the top of the now Borough
Hall. There Mayor Mcclellan unfurIed a large
American flag from the staff on the tower
The Mayor and city officials then boarded the
Dock Department boat and returned TO Man
haitian.
The houses and business places of Staten
Island were decorated and a general holiday
observed. Hundreds of people visited the
new boat in the afternoon. and expressed ad-
miration of her lines and size
The menu was follows:
Bouillon Tasse
Boiled Salmon st. Hubert.
Lobster Salad. Chicken Salad
Boned Capon Truf1es.
White Marsh Virginia Ham
Macedoine Salad
Assorted Sandwiches.
Giace.
G. H. Aiumm & Co.'S Extra Dry.
White Rock. Cafe. Cigars.