The Pensacola journal. (Pensacola, Fla.) 1898-1985, 1915-10-17
States ONLY
GUNBOAT HAS
ARRIVED HERE
Elegant Yacht Roamer,
With Mr.. Hodges Aboard
Is In Port.
VESSEL IS ONE
OF GREAT BEAUTY
Was Purchased for Use of
Fish and Oyster Com
missioner In Gulf.
VESSEL IS ONE
OF GREAT BEAUTY

Moored at Central wharf yesterday
afternoon was the elegant yacht
Roamer, the second boat of the Flor
ida navy, as it has been referred 10
many times. The Roamer belongs to
the state of Florida, and is in COM
mand of T. r. Hodges, state salt fish
commissioner, who on this boat has
made the trip around the entire coast
of the state, starting out at Jackson
vile and entering every navigable
harbor between that port on the Allan
tic and Pensacola on the gulf.
Many people admired the beautiful
craft yesterday, and the Roamer win
possibly be an object of attraction to
hundreds during today. She will
maintain her berth on Central wharf,
which is at the foot of Jefferson
street, and directly south of the Tar
pon's pier.
Mr.. Hodges, who is aboard and in
charge has an important commission
from the state Of Florida. His duties
are to see that the fish and oyster
laws are strictly complied with in
every particular; to collect licenses of
fishermen and oystermen, and to look
after the leasing of oyster BOTTOMS"
for the cultivation Of oysters. He IL
doing a great work, which in a few
years, it is admitted, will add much to
the states revenues from her fishing
and oyster industries. In the past it
has been figured that thousands of
dollars have been lost by the non-en-
forcement of the fishing and oyster
laws and the lack of proper laws, but
since the pretty yacht has been ac-
quired, it will mean the collection Of
much revenue.
It is said that the states of Louis
lana, Virginia, Maryland and others
get large sums from the business of
fish and oyster taking. For many
years this has all been a loss to the
state which has more seacoast, and
perhaps more varied fishing and oys-
tering interests than any state in the
union. In recent years, however, it
has been seen fit by the legislators to
pass such laws as win make possible
the yielding Of this revenue, and the
purchase of the Roamer was of COM
parative recent occurrence. The fish
and oysters are now well protected,
so far as the enactment of laws il
concerned, and the public treasury
may show up shortly with handsome
revenues from such a source. Com
missioner Hodges is enthusiastic with
the work, and is impressed with the
Importance Of his commission. He
appears to be thoroughly posted and
competent.
The Roamer, a beauty, is the
product Of that famous yacht design
er, N. G. Herreshoff, known the world
over. She is 90 feet over all, II 10
feet beam, and has a draft of 5 1-2
feet. Fore and aft she carries one
pound, quick-fring rifles, which the
commissioner has learned how to use
and which he viii use, il is promised
in an emergency. A wireless appar-
atus, with a sending range of 200
miles is also feature of the Roamer
! and this enables the commissioner tc
keep IN connection with Florida O,
other stations along the gulf coast
: Her fittings are of an up-to-date
yacht, and are beautiful It wal
stated that the vessel cost the state
the sum of $4,000, but at that price
according to the opinions OF practi
caIly all who have seen the interior
and who have gone over the vessel
she is regarded as a bargain.
Another vessel, which viii do duty
on the Atlantic coast for the state o.
Florida, and which is the property O.
: the state, is the Seafoam, which hal
been in Pensacola harbor. The Sea
!. foam is gasoline yacht, while thu
!, Roamer is q steam yacht