Palisadian. [volume] (Cliffside Park, N.J.) 1906-current, 1915-10-23

The ferrybOat Fort Lee, bullt
for the Public Service to ply between
Edgewater and 13Oth street, New
York, had it's trial trip Wednesday
afternoon. Some 200 or more guests,
consisting of representative citizens
of Bergen county, members OF the
Harlem Board of Commerce and Pub
lie Service officials, who made the
trip, pronounced the craft one of the
finest on the Hudson river. The
boat was built under contract by the
A. & w. Fletcher Company, of Ho-
boken, and the start was made from
the company's dock. AS the craft
backed out into the stream with
flags flying, it was greeted with
blasts from the whistles of numerous
other vessels, and the prov was
turned up stream to Edgewater,
where most of the Bergen county and
New York contingent were taken
aboard. With the party complete,
the new boat headed for the battery,
and the trip down the river was &C
companied by continuous success
sion of salutes.
In the meanwhile luncheon was
served in the mems cabin, with the
builders as the hosts. At it's con-
clusion Arthur Fletcher proposed a
toast to the Public Service and spoke
of the pleasant relations which had
marked every phase of the negotia-
tions for and the construction of the
boat. He paid a graceful tribute to
President Thomas N. McCarter and
to General Superintendent Newton
w. Bolen, the latter having been the
company's representative in over
seeing the building of the vessel.
Mr.. McCarter, in replying, ex-
pressed himself as well pleased with
the boat and complimented the build
ers upon having turned out such a
splendid piece of marine architecture.
He said the "Fort Lee" typified, in
a sense, what Public Service is do
ing for the State of New Jersey,
providing the very best facilities
that money could buy for the accom-
mediation of the people and the up
building of the State.
Mayor Edward A. White, of Fort
Lee, from which borough the boat
takes it's name, presented to Mr.. Nc
Carter in the name of the govern
ment and residents of the borough, a
full set of colors for the boat, con-
sisting of a large American flag, a
Union Jack, white flag bearing the
name of the boat in letters of blue,
and blue flag with the company's
emblem in red and white. Mr.. Nc
Carter, in responding, said that the
name was chosen not only because
the borough of Fort Lee was one of
the oldest settlements in Bergen
county, but because of the historical
associations connected with the name.
1t SO happened that the day was
the anniversary of Mr.. McCarter's
birth, and his associates in the Pub
lie Service seized the opportunity to
The gift took the form of ships
clock for the recipients yacht, the
"Rumsonhill." John L. O'Toole, who
made the presentation address told
the president of the respect and af-
lection in which he was held by his
officers, and the president in turn
spoke feelingly of the loyal support
he had received in the problems
which must be solved in conducting
and managing such great institu-
ton as the Public Service. He de-
clared that his love for his asso-
GATES was second only to the love
he has for his family.
The "Fort Lee" is 200 feet over
all, of ninety feet beam, and draws
twelve feet of water. The hull was
built by the Harlan & Hollingsworth
Company, in Wilmington, Del, and
was launched June 20. 1t was towed
to the Fletcher Company's plant
where the engines were built and in
stalled with the other mechanical
equipment and where the vessel was
brought to a completed state. The
cabins are beautifully finished in
mahogany, and the color scheme of
the interior is pleasing combination
of light blue and white. Above the
deck are the cabins for the naviga-
tors and four fully equipped state
rooms are provided for captain and
crew. The boat will carry 1920 pas
sengers and twenty-six vehicles.