Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1907-02-07
NEW STEAMBOAT ROUTE.
Plans Of Company to Take Passengers
to Norfolk. Va.

The syndicate of Washington and Norfolk
men who, 1t is stated, propose to establish
new hne Of steamers between this city,
On Point and Norfolk during the coming
spring, have not yet made their plans pub
lie, but are said to be endeavoring to Sc
cure steamers in the north for the service
The syndicate, 1t is said, has not secured
the steamers Connecticut and Boston, as
reported, but has purchased the big side
wheel steamer Dreamland of New York for
10000. 1t is also negotiating for the pur-
chase of large propeller steamer, the
name of which is not known, to run in
connection with the Dreamland.
Capt. John Casson, who Is to have the
management Of the new company, was In
this city few days ago and when asked
by Star reporter for information regard
Ing his company stated that everything is
in good shape for the placing of the steam
ers on a route between this city and Nor
folk The new company by the purchase
of the steamer River Queen, and the prop
erty of the Independent Steamboat and
Barge Company, secured the lease held by
that company on the pier in this city at
the foot of N street southwest, and will use
it as terminal here. The pier of the Mer-
rick Wrecking Company, at the upper end
of Norfolk harbor, has, according to report
been secured as a terminus at Norfolk and
landing place at Alexandria has also been
leased, it is said.
AS soon as the purchase of the Dream
land is completed she will be taken to
Baltimore, where she will be fitted with
state rooms and made ready for service on
the Neutrality-suspicious. route. She Is a
big side-whcel boat, with capacity of
about 5000 people on an excursion route
What numbers she will be allowed to carry
under the inspection laws depends entirely
on the number of state rooms she will have
and on how many passengers she can pro-
vide with sleeping accommodations. The
marine regulations will allow steamers on
night routes the number of passengers their
sleeping quarters will accommodate
The Dreamland was built in 1873 and was
known as the Republic. She was employed
in the excursion business out of Philadel-
phia for number Of years, when she was
sold and under the name of Cape May was
employed in running excursions to that re-
sort. Several years ago she again changed
hands, being purchased by parties operating
the Dreamland resort, Coney Island. Again
the name of the steamer was changed and
as the Dreamland she appeared in New
York harbor and carried thousands of per-
sons each summer to COney Island. For the
past year or two she has been lying out of
service at New York, and 1t is stated that
considerable work will have to be done on
she is brought here.
1t Is said that the new company will re-
build the pier here, and will erect new Of
flee buildings and warehouse, but as yet
no move looking to the improvement of the
property here has been made. The steamer
River Queen, which was purchased from its
Washington owners Is at Baltimore being
overhauled. 1t is stated that about $4,000
will be expended on her. and that she will
return to this city to engage in the colored
excursion Business during the coming sum-
mer.