Brownsville herald. [volume] (Brownsville, Tex.) 1910-current, 1921-10-17
CERTIERHODES
COESON BANK
NEAR ARKANSAS
Is Climax of Series of Misad-
ventures That Have
} Delayed Vessel

The Gertie Rhodes three-masted aux
iliary schooner that left Houston for
Point Isabel three weeks ago. ran on a
rock Sunday morning. according 20 q
telegram. and is now beached. full Of
water, between Freeport and Arkansas
Pass. The accident forms the climax 81
n series of misadventures that has de-
Iaved the vessel ever since she was start
ed for Point Isabel, 20 install a regular
freight service between that place anc
Tampico.
An examination OF the vessel was to
be made this morning. according TO the
message. which was addressed 20 the local
offices of the Harris Transportation
Company. Full extent Of injuries will
then be communicated Meanwhile the
owners of the vessel and shippers Of a
partial cargo which the Gertie Rhodes
was bringing to this city are fully protect
ed by insurance against losses, il was
learned
Although deeply disappointed and
shocked By the final disaster. Mrs. ]. +.
Harris, head of the company, is by no
means daunted in her determination 10
give Brownsville and the Valley the be-
ginnings Of water transportation. The
company IN undertaking establishment Of
this service entirely upon it, own initiat
i've. il was pointed out and all losses
sustained fall solely upon H. The cur
rent expense OF maintenance ~ n boat
of the Certie Rhodes tonnage i said TO
be from 81 600 TO 81 100 per month.
II was learned, moreover. upon good
authority today. that the Harris firm
expected 10 sustain some loss IN connec-
ton with the operation Of the Gertie
Rhodes alone. and did not figure on prof
ID showing until the coming ~ deep water,
which naturally will permit considerable
expansion IL the service. including event
ually passenger list.
That this expectation indicates firm
belief in the future of the water service
from the Lower Valley is evidenced BY the
strong determination manifested By the
officials to carry on despite the recent
chain Of mishaps 20 the pioneer boat
IL was painted out today by friends of the
project that ii was the late Capt. Ernest
Il. Miller. world explorer and hero ~ an
Arctic expedition. who first interested the
Hnrrisas III Point Isabel az a future gulf
port Mrs Harris herself is warm
friend and admirer Of Can't Miller. In
the spring Of 1918 Capt. Miller was in
this region for some time going 20
Houston on two occasiOns in behalf II
a water route from the Point. lie had
visited every port In the world, il was
said. and died some months ago convinced
tN8f I'NiHt 1NHH%t WIS ItctlIlrb NlAfAAAltAA
to become one of the most important
ports on the American shore line.
Mrs Harris plans t. put on n much
larger boat than the Gertie Rhodes. 20
he named in his honor. the Ernest +.
Miller. as soon at the harbor is opened
mp.
In the light Of this preparation. stretch
ing hack three years and with the fonnda-
tions already laid. IL was thought hy the
closely interested today that the latest
accident reported would have but
temporary effect IN delaying installation
Of the regular service.
Without more definite information rs
To the accident and It's causes. no accurate
predictions could he made concerning the
Gertie Rhodes arrival. III the vessel can
Be repaired and If the damages are
fslight enough not 10 prevent her use as
originally intended. the vessel will be
sent to the Point n soon n possible. II
was said. and the service Immediately
hegun. The comnanv has other vessels.
bnt the boat next above the Gertip in
size cannot be installed until the harbor
II deepened. II is understood. inst AS
soon as this can be effected the larger
vessel viii be added 90 the service. IT
was also pointed out that beginning with
the Gertie Rhodes WIS merely 20 effect
an entering wedge By the Harris company
who believe in the coming port and wished
10 get IN on the ground floor.