Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1914-02-20
PROPOSE S225,000
REVENUE CUTTER
FOR MAINE COAST.

McAdoo, Asst. Sec. Newton ana the
officers of the revenue cutter service
all pulling together for splendid
1925 900 vessel to replace the old cut
ter Woodbury. on the Maine coast, the
chances are still good that Congress
will make the necessary appropriation
although it is still in doubt.
A blue print in the office of the
chief engineer shows that plans for
the proposed cutter have been prac-
tically completed by the construction
experts in the office of the captain
commandant. The new craft presents
very graceful lines and will be flush
deck with full length spar deck.
She will be 1851 feet long over all,
$50 feet on the water line, 80 feet
beam, and will have a displacement
of about $50 tons at her mean draft of
II feet She will be constructed of
steel throughout, and her frames and
plating forward will be double the
usual strength to fit the vessel for eff
fective work in the ice.
The new cutter will have very pow
erful steam machinery capable of CIV
ing her the highest speed for a ves-
sci of this type, and to provide for
towing purposes. She will, of course,
be fitted with the most modern appli-
ances for her duty in life saving and
assisting vessels in distress.
Large towing bits will be fitted just
abaft the mainmast with a steam
winch alongside of 1t for handling
hawsers.
There will be carried five boats. in
Guiding a 25foot motor boat.
A powerful radio set. large search
light, electric lights, a fire and wreck
ing pump, line throwing guns, ETC., are
all included in the vessels specifica-
tions.
Roomy and comfortable quarters
will be provided on the main deck for
the officers and crew.
Officials at the treasury department,
from Sec. McAdoo down, are inter-
ested in securing the authorization for
this new vessel, as they realize what
bad state the old Woodbury. is in.
AS soon as Congress provides funds
for the new craft the contract will
probably be awarded almost immedi-
ately.
The department deems the Wood
bury unfit for its purposes and be-
lieves that had the proposed new cut
ter been in service at this time the
naval tug Potomac now caught fast in
| the ice field of Newfoundland might
have been reached and rescued. The
new cutter will be designed along lines
that cut through ice which the OLD
cutters would be powerless to pene.
trate. The Androscoggin which was
sent to the aid of the Potomac was
named by the late Senator Frye of
Maine, whose zeal in advancing the
interests of the revenue cutter service
never tagged.
Senator Frye believed that the cut
ter service was of inestimable value to
the country and through his efforts
many needful measures were success
fully piloted through Congress.
When the Androscoggin was built
the courtesy of naming 1t was ex-
tended by the government to Senator
Frye, coupled with the request that
he select some Indian name. Without
moments hesitation the senator re-
piled, 1--WE will christen the new
boat the Androscoggin. 1 was born
on the banks of that river and the
name is very dear to me-"
All went we'll until the builders were
notified of the name to be placed in
gold letters on its stern. Most of the
revenue cutters are constructed with
rounded sterns on which the name
circles, but the Androscoggin has a
pointed stern so that the name must
be placed in full on both sides. With
| gold letters costing 81 letter and the
long Indian name to be twice spelled
out, the builders nearly tainted when
informed of the senator's choice.