The Republican journal. [volume] (Belfast, Me.) 1829-current, 1907-01-17
SearspOI't Shippers.

THE NEW STEAMSHIP MEXICAN AND
HER COMMANDER, CAPTAIN CHAS.
M. NICHOLS.
The Searsport correspondent of The
Journal has received from Capt. Eben
Curtis, formerly of Searsport, now port
captain of the American Hawaiian s. s.
Co. at San Francisco, copy of The San
Francisco Chronicle of Dec. 80, 1905,
from which we quote as follows;
A triumphant roar of myriad steam
whistles, the crash of champagne bot
tie struck fairly on its majestic bow, a
swelling cheer from thousand strong
throated mechanics, and the American
Hawaiian Steamship Company's Next
can, the largest merchant marine ever
silently and gracefully down the ways
at the Union Iron Works yesterday
morning and out upon the calm, oily
bosom of the bay, where it flOated
lazily. an example of California work
manship.
The launching was the most success
full ever accomplished at the Union
Iron Works and was executed without
one hitch, save for slight delay which
was occasioned by the non arrival of
Miss Katherine Isabel McGregor,
daughter of President J. A. McGregor
of the works, who suffered the inevi-
table auto breakdown. At o'clock
in the morning the launching party left
| Mission street wharf on the tug Fear
less, which was decked gayly with the
national cOlOrs, and steamed slowly up
the bay, arriving at the iron works
| about 10 O'Clock. The party inspected
| the magnificent new vessel, awaiting
the arrival of the young lady who was
to have the honor of christening it.
1t was 10. 40 before everything was in
readiness, and the party then mounted
the decorated platform to perform the
function. Mrs. Z. r. DimOnd, wife of
the head of the firm Of Williams DimOnd
Company, agents for the American
Hawaiian, pressed the button which
released the "last dog" She acknowl-
edged that ''she was never more excited
in her life," but did admirably well.
Miss McGregOr, perfectly calm and
bottle in hand, waited for the final
word, and then struck the bottle fairly
on the bow of the vessel, saying, 81
CuiioVCu tHCc MCAiCon. Lively oVOou
whistle in the section combined with
the lusty cheers of the sturdy builders
to give the Mexican rousing send-off
as she kissed the water.
The party again repaired to the Fear
less, which proceeded to Hunter Point
dry dock, where an inspection was made
of the yards. Here could be seen the
Pacific Mail Steamship Company's Man
churia, which went on reef at Homo
lulu, and the transport Sheridan, which
is now undergoing repairs. The keel of
the Manchuria gives evidence of the
rough treatment she received when
grounded. Many of the plates being
stove in, will have to be removed, and
the propellers of the massive ship are
crushed badly.
At noon luncheon was served on
board the tugboat amid jovial scenes.
The health of Mr.. McGregor, the new
president of the Iron Works, was
drunk and in turn that of E. R. Di-
mond. Both responded with appropri-
ate remarks The ideal weather and
the unrutfied condition of the bay
made the outing a decidedly pleasant
one, and it was merry party which
again diSembarked from the little tug.
Others of the party were: Captain
John Metcalfe, surveyor of Lloyd's
register of British and foreign ship
ping; W. H. Stewart, engineer of the
same concern; Wallace Alexander and
j. F. Hamburg. representatives of Ha-
waiian interests; George Rolph, Arthur
Small, representing Balfour-Guthrie
Company; Captain E. Curtis, wife and
daughter, Captain Sweetser of the Cal
lfornian, c. n. Champion, treasurer
and secretary of the Union Iron Works;
A. II. Nettleton, E. r. Dimond and
wife, Miss Edith Chesebrough.
The keel of the Mexican was laid Oc-
two months, at which time it is expect
ed to launch the Columbia. The new
vessel cost $4,000 and is sister ship
to the Alaskan, Taqan and AriZonan.
1t will be operated on the new Mexi-
can-Tehuantepec route, the service OH
which will be inaugurated on this side
January 4tll, when the AriZonan will
leave the Hawaiian islands with cargo
OF $4,000 tons of sugar. The new route
extends from New York to Coatzacoal-
cos, distance of POLO miles. across the
Isthmus 1874 miles, thence up the Pa
clfic Coast from Salinas Cruz to San
Francisco, distance of 21s9 miles.
This makes the trip nearly one-third
shorter than the old Cape Horn route,
which Appropriated $1,000 miles.
Following are the dimensions of the
Mexican: Length, 472 feet; length,
over all, 4ss feet; breadth, 81 feet;
depth, AZ feet; draft, 2s feet; dis
placement, $4,000 tons; indicated
horsepower, 5000; speed, ~ knots;
cargo capacity, 10000 tons.
The steamer Mexican is to be COM
manded by Capt. Charles M. Nichols,
one of the ablest and most enterprising
shipmasters of Searsport. He former
ly commanded the steamers Hawaiian,
American and Alaskan, and is now in
command of the latter and due at San
Diego from New York.
CAPT. HARRY L. PERRY OF THE RED D.
LINE.
The best steamers in the Puerto Rico |
service are those of the Red D line,
sailing weekly from Brooklyn. Every |
consideration is given TO the safety and |
comfort of. passengers and it is fire.
quently the case that the five days con-
sumed in the trip from New York is
heightened into the cruise to South /
American ports and back The line is
composed entirely of American steam