The Pensacola journal. (Pensacola, Fla.) 1898-1985, 1920-01-05
PORT ACTIVITY
TAKESON BOOM
First Week of the New Year Is
Marked by Unusual Busi-
ness Activity.
MORE SHIPS CONTRACTED
Launching of Second Section of
Big Dry Dock this Afternoon
An Important Factor

The port OF Pensacola has been un-
uaIly busy during the first week OF
the new year. both in the line of ship
ping as well as in matters OF up
building of the port itself. The week
inst passed recorded the announce
ment of the launching Of the second
section OF the big dry dock and the
acceptance of the fourth big steel
ship-Pensacola built-by the federal
government. and the harbor itself has
been the scene Of unusual activity in
loading and unloading ships by local
consignees.
Other. contracts for ships were given
to the local company. which win take
several months to complete, thus as
suring the continuation of work at
the yard.
The biggest single factor in the life
OF the port. perhaps was the announce
ment made during the week of the
launching OF the second section OF the
Bruce dry dock. This section win go
into the water this afternoon about
2:45 O'Clock in the presence, It is eX-
.pected. of one Of the biggest crowds
that has ever witnessed waterfront
activities. The completion OF the dock
is expected by April of this year at
the latest. and 1t will be capable Of
accommodating any of the vessels that
put into the gulf.
The Red Mountain. fourth vessel
built here by the Pensacola ship
building company. was accepted on
her trial trip to Mobile during the
past week. and it is claimed that she
is one of the best ships put out .
D, Ia
exceeded her contract speed of 10 1-2
knots an hour by 1.o3 knots. and in
other respects exceeded the demands
and expectations of the company. 1t
is claimed the Red Mountain is
one OF the best ships put out in south
ern ports during the year BY any or
the emergency building companies
Tow boats reported in at the port
during the past week, the first time
that any Of these boats have put into
port since the engineering forces went
on strike early IN the fall. These boats
will resume their regular schedules
and viii aid in presenting a busy
scene along the water front in the
future.
The dredge Caucus came in during
the past week and will be ready 70
start on the work of clearing the
channel of the bar that has
grown up recently. besides cleaning
out the bay and doing police work in
the port. The Caucus win first pro-
ceed to st. Andrews bay and clear that
water OF the storm debris and
wreckage.
Fishing smaelSs have practically all
cleared the port, leaving only a few
which are going to sea as soon as
crews can be supplied and the boats
overhauled. The first of these smacSs
left about three weeks ago on settle
ment of the strike of the fishermen
and are expected back with record
catches within the next few days.
The port has been busy during the
week with shipping that has come in
ard with loading ships for American
and foreign ports Among the ships
deserving special mention that have
come in during the week is the Jean
S0meryille. This schooner was sailed
for AZ days By Mrs. Isabelle Dram,
after her husband, the captain Of the
ship, was confined TO his bed. The
captain died two days out OF port, and
Mrs Dram sailed the boat without
any assistance from any other navi-
gator Two days out the Moosehausic
was hailed and assistance asked,
which was given.
The Tarpon resumed its schedule or
coastwfse trade during the week, also
The Tarpon had been tied up with
installation Of oil burners and other
repairs for some time. The Captain
Fritz came IN with cargo of naval
stores. The Dutch steamer Saturnus,
loaded with lumber, left for South
America.