Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1907-08-26
The Six-master Mertie B,
Crowley Is Launched.
Governor Cobb Is Present, An
Interested Spectator.
Will Be Devoted to Coal Transporta.
tion..Already Chartered.

Rockland. Me-, Aug. 25.-At u45
O'Clock saturday, in the presence of at
least 5000 persons, the schooner Mertie
Is. Crowley, the largest schooner and
the first SiX-mastor eyer launched from
a Rockland shipyard, took her maiden
plunge. The schooner was christened iy
Mrs. Mertie b. Crowley, wife Of capt.
j. g. Crowley, general manager Of the
Coastwise Transportation 60. who
broke bottle of champagne over the
bows nf the big six sticker as she de-
seconded gracefully from the ways.
The launching was witnessed bv the
biggest crowd that ever saw a launch
ing in Rockland. In addition to the
townSpeople. there was a big delegation
from the Boston veterans. who are en-
joying an outing at Crescent Beach,
and many visitors from coast and is
land towns. The Rockland Military
Band played on board the schooner,
while the WOburn Brass Band, who ac-
companied the Boston veterans. played
as they marched down to the schooner.
New York, Boston and Philadelphia
owners Of the big schooner were pres
ent with the launching party.
Tie harbor was lined with yachts,
smaller sailing vessels and launches,
among the yachts being the Waturus,
oW ned 10y Randall H Morgan of Phila-
dclplia. and the Malay, owned by DR..
Wells Of Philadelphia. Whistles We're
sounded and bells rung at the shipyar,f
as the big schooner slid out from the
ways. Gov. William T. Cobb of Rock
11,, = {
cobb. Futlcr & Co. was an interested
Spectator Of the launching as was for
NOR Coy. Joshua J.. Chamberlain. who
came over from Portland to witness
the event.
Including in the out-of- town mem-
bers of the launching party were Capt
and Mrs. j. G. Crowley of Boston. Capt
Emmons w. Rabbit Of Taunton. Mass.
who is to command the schooner; IT.
II. Litchticld, Harry Hutchins. A. S.
Hyde and G. A. Jones, Boston. John T.
Eear, New York; Mrs II. c. Halcomb.
John T. Manson. Mrs. A. Il. Manson.
Miss Fanrie Halcomb. Mr.. and Mrs
T.. q. Grunier, New Haven. Ct; Mr..
and Mrs. II. Jocelyn Mr.. and Mrs.
Lewis Thur!Ow. p. II. Crowell. Boston.
Immediately after the launching the
party went to Crescent Beach by troll
10y. Here they were given 4 shore din
nrr. which was followed by a dance.
The schooner is all completed. with
the exception Of q few finishing
touchsc, and will be ready for sea in
about week.. She is already charter
ed to carry coal from Philadelphia to
Boston. and will he devoted exclusive
ly t. the coal carrying trade.
The official registered dimensions Of
the schooner are as follows. Length
2935 foot. breadth S4.4 feet, depth 23.S
feet. The gross tonnage is 1924 and the
net tonnage is 241O. The schooner has
three decks. the height under the spar
deck being AZ feet! The length over all
is 319 feet, while from the bottom to
the tip Of the jibboom she measures
412 feet The schooner is painted black.
TIL" masts are of Oregon pine and
North Carolina pine is used in the fin
ishing.
Those who were Of the launching
party were given n bronze card case
hearing n likeness of the schooner as
a souvenir Of the event.