The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1915-08-09
FIFTY HUSBANDS TO
SOLACE SHIPS GIRLS
Press Agent Hints Cupid Will
Solve Floating Boarding
House Riddle.
LASSIES NOT IN SECRET

The old square rigger Jacob A.. SIAM
Ter. which the late John Arbuckle fitted
NJ ten years ago as n home for working
girls and which is to be closed on August
IS. has "a press agent now. a brisk youth
who once worked for George c. Tilyou
at Steeplechase Park. Coney Island. In
the old days. when the deep sea hotel
was the delight and diversion OF John
Arbuckle and trouble had not perched
like a bird OF evil omen upon the cross
trees. the old ship needed no press agent.
Things were always happening to keep
interest alive. Danny Cupid used to
take passage Cor secure board) on the
stamler n once. three years ago. the
rascal shot away an entire CULVER OF
arrows. six taking effect.
But things are different now. The
floating hotel has become a considerable
expense to the Arbuckle estate and be-
sides there Is the fear that her venerable
timbers are rotting and that she might
suddenly decide to end her long and
picturesque career on the bottom of the
East River.
whispers Of Fifty Husbands.
SO the press agent has volunteered to
see II publicity can help the girls keep
their cheerful and comfortable quarters.
He Is not working for the Arbuckle cs-
tate. Of course. and Capt. Frank -
Shealey, long the manager Of the deep
sea hotel, who Is not altogether used
TO the ways of press agents. seems to
look upon the young man with none too
much favor. But he has volunteered to
help the girls and TO spread the news
OF their difficulty.
He received a reporter for THE U
aboard the Stamler yesterday where she
lay between the Greenpoint ferry house
and the recreation pier at the foot OF
East Twenty-third street and inspiration
twinkled in his sharp eyes. With a
"Shhh - and a wave OF the hand to
caution secrecy. he led the way to the
assembly room.
1T may be that there Is a way out
of this trouble. after ALL" he confded.
What would you say now II | told you
that nifty worthy young men. self-sup.
porting. respectable. generous. are apt
TO come aboard any day and ask the
nifty girls oil the Stamler to marry them.
What would you say TO that. eh?"
That certainly would be a fine way
o'N w. N"' t"' ~ dBftN
But o do you know all this? Who
are the nifty young men and where are
they"
That" said the press agent. firmly,
must be a secret for the present. But
don't be surprised II a wad OF wedding
announcements are sent from here"
Girls DO Not Know secret
Somehow. the committee OF girls who
are wrinkling their brows trying to
think Of a plan to ave their home
and keep them from moving to
dreary rooming houses did not seem to
know as much about the probability OF
marriages en- masse as did the hopeful
press agent There was a suspicion OF
tears in the eyes OF the chairman, Mary
Barrett, as she talked about what might
happen TO the girls when evic,ed from
the Stamler.
You see.' she said quite simply, the
problem is really a grave one for us.
Few OF the girls earn more tina IS or
- a week. and how they will he able
To support themselves II they have
To leave this ship. where board and
lodging Is only s2.s0 a week. Is making
some or them turn gray. Maybe some
OF the girls are going to get married, but
II so they have kept the fact a secret
Our chief hope Is that Miss Anne
Morgan. TO WHOM we have appealed, will
help US out by purchasing the Stamler
or arranging a fund to cover deficits"
Many girls who used to live aboard
the Stamler. but who have been married
or become prosperous enough to live
elsewhere, visited the old ship yesterday
TO condole with their friends.