Norwich bulletin., 1916-05-27
A sEsIPBuILDER,s REcoLLEcnoNs

was started by James Monroe Hunt ingfon and Theodore Raymond, in 1860, the firm name being the J. n. Huntington company.
 Thomas Wetnore. skilled work man, was shipbuilder for the firm, and MT. Proctor was in charge of the en- zine building and machine shop.
 With proper patriotism, the first boat built at the yard was christened The Norwich Tnis craft was built for the Porto Rico trade. but had scarcely been launched on the blue waters of the beautiful Thames when agents of the government negotiated for her purchase; so she was sold by the firm in 1861 for use during the Civil war.
 The government proceeded to it up the Norwich, putting one powerful gun on her and a magazine lined with lead, for powder.
 Meantime, at the Thanesville yard, ing OF another boat, the Whirlwind, which was also completed in 1861. In quick succession the skilled ship carpenters and inaehinists turned out the Tradewind-companion to the Whirlwind-the Prometheus, the Perit, Chase. Hunter, Uncas-perpet etuating | the name of the famous chief of the Mohegan Indian tribe on wE1ose lands so much of the city of Norwich was |
 Some of these boats were chartered by the government during the war, doing good service as transports.
 The Chase and the Hunter, two fine boats about 175 feet long. ran be- | tween New York and Savannah, car | rying freight and passengers. MT. Proctor says that the Utility was the last large boat built at the yard in ThamesviIle.
 1t is an interesting indication of the 1 changes of the years and the altera- | ttonS as this nation of ours progresses | that almost on the site where MT. | Proctor and his associate workers were busied constructing sea craft which Fdid their part in the country's defense | during the Civil war, at present. Edson F. and Denison Gallaudet should be 1 engaged in building aeroplanes, espe- | cially powerful seaplanes for the navy destined also to carry the name of Norwich far and to. success, in modern
 methods of the same defense of coun- try.
 I As MT. Proctor recalls it, the Zigzag
 was a small boat, about 50 feet long
 built at tlIe yard for use only on the
 Thames river.
 l A Savannah, Georgia, paper oi about 1862 or '63, has an interesting
 
 craft. under the head of Another New Steamship" The article reads: We announced yesterday chat am other new steamship for the Pioneer
 Line was expected and would leave this port on Saturday next.
 Yesterday afternoon, the fine new
 propeller steamship Hunter (the vesse
 announced) made her appearance iI these waters and was the admiration of all who saw her beautiful lines ana I GWan-IiSa annaqr9nne fha water
 She is fine specimen of a steam ship and was built by MT. Thomas Wetnnore., The Hunter is 160 feet il
 length, 27 feet breadth of beam, I
 feet depth of hold, and 51J5 T-1oO tom
 Her passenger accommodations ar } ample, consisting of twenty thre 3 staterooms and an aggregate of fort! ) berths. These statercoms are f1ttet : up in the most elegant style, as is als } all the arrangements for the conven fence and accommodation of passen 5 gers.
 ] Her machinery consists of one low l. nine feet diameter; on low-pressur } engine of 36-inch cylinder and 2 l. 3 feet stroke, three fire pumps of l. ) ] inch stroke; three metallic life boats g two quarter boats, and all the ap 3 pliances and conveniences necessar l for the safety of the vessel and pas s sengers.
 t The Hunter Is commanded by capi . M. L. Rogers, long and favorabI
 known for his abilities as a seamai
 and his gentlemanly qualifications MI . Wells is his chief officer, MT. Rob 3 Brown the chief engineer. MT. Will t liam Kicker first assistant enginee Q and MT. Grant the obliging purser. We have no doubt that with thes !. officers, the quality of the ship, an a the accommodation of her gentleman = agents, Messrs. Hunter & Gammel g