New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1910-05-21
.P|NAFORE OF C|TY'S NAVY
Water Registers Yacht Antie-
tam Was a Jolly Old Craft.
WIT IN LOG OF HAPPY DAYS
Recital of Patrol Duty When
Tied UP Passed Along for
Mayors Scrutiny.

Some safe places in the municipal archives
should be found for a history of the good
yacht Antietam. which for more than two
years was used by the Registers Bureau
Of the Department of Water Supply as a
patrol boat. The history was compiled from
the log of the yacht, which was known as
the flagship of Commodore Padden. the
former Water Register, by Claire Foster.
who has succeeded him.
Since January 10, when the present Water
Commissioner became aware Of the erratic
doings Of the boat, she has been laid up in
the care of Waterman. and on Monday
will be turned over to the Sinking Fund
Commission. to get rid of her as best it
may. The Water Department has made a
request for a motor boat to take the place
Of the Antietam, which is a steam yacht
of some size
Commissioner Thompson turned the his
tory over to Mayor Gaynor yesterday at
the latters request, with a letter in which
he said:
1.-The total cost of this boat to the de-
partment, including the purchase price.
amounts to 81, psf 81. I think the history of
this yacht illustrates more than anything
that I have yet come across the utter dis
regard and misuse of public moneys
The yacht was delivered to the depart
ment on August II, 1907. For two weeks
she was out of commission, and the his
torian says: This out Of commission bust
ness seems to have been a habit right from
the start, and a rubber stamp was used to
signify the condition.
It seems that in September, 1908 a log
was started, regarding which the historian
comments: ut reminds one Of a Gilbert and
Sullivan play. A man with sense of
humor could hardly lay it down Until he
read it through
It would appear that the boat was tied
up many times in taking on coal and water
and in waiting for various members of the
crew to arrive. The historian writes:
On November 1s. when they got up steam
they found a new leak. Full crew was
aboard all day, except the stoker. In the
they ever dared get up steam without the
presence of that stoker, for he was absent
frequently afterward. and this is given as
the excuse for the boat not being in use
June Is was an eventful day, inasmuch as
Stoker Jerry reported He reported, but
had to go back to the municipal ferry to
the 18th. He did. This was one of the re-
markable things about Jerry; he often did
as he was supposed to do. He did not dc
From June 80 to July the reason for
not going out Is given as awaiting full
crew." The engineer, pilot, stoker and
one. deckhand were aboard and drawing
their pay, but it seems they were shy one
deckhand.
On the Fourth of July they were still
lacking one deckhand. However, Colonel
Padden and Inspector Higgins came aboard
at $50 and decided to put to sea. This was
taking chances, but what's the difference
The log on this day is very explicit. They
went round and round and round fnallv
brought up against East oath street at Z
o'clock If you do not believe it, we can
show you the street.
August was just full of happenings.
The engineer reported, but this time it was
Jerry. the stoker, who failed. Mr.. Boyd
came aboard at 80 to take inventory.
He finished same at 1890. 1t will be noted
that it was a very short job this time. The
times necessary to take each successive
inventory grew shorter and shorter I
think I could take 1t now in about five
minutes. Anything that was loose did not
stay on board. On this day the office seems
to have taken a hand in affairs for accord
ing to the log orders were sent from the
office to go on patrol They picked up a
temporary stoker TO take the place of the
recreant Jerry, got up some steam and left
at 1:20 returning again a the customary
hour of o'clock.