The Penn's Grove record., 1923-06-15
NEW WILSON LINE STEAMER
Estate of Delaware Began Running
Last Monday

So ANaNNAAf NNN0AA' VIZ SAN
public" which at one time piled be-
tween Philadelphia and Cape May
Point, N. j., went into commission
last Monday. This latest addition to
the fleet of Wilson Line steamships is
the last word in the construction of
luXuriant craft for river tourists.
The first trip was an excursion
Monday night from Wilmington.
Built of steel throughout and abso-
lutely ireproof, the new boat which
has four decks has accommodations
for 5000 passengers, which is almost
double the carrying capacity of the
other large steamships of the Wilson
Line. Equipped with B. & w. water
tube boilers with four cylinder triple
expansion, reciprocating engines, the
new boat can make Is miles an hour,
placing her almost in a class by her
self insofar as speed goes.
Captain George P. H. Dolbow, of
Philadelphia, an Upper Penns Neck
farmer boy, who is a senior captain
of the Wilson Line fleet, will be in
charge of the estate of Delaware"
The chief engineer is Harry Craig,
who for many years has been connect
ed with the Wilson Line. Prior to be
SOllllIlS a lllGiilDGI VI Vic hlloOI Idll
lily, Engineer Craig saw deep water
service on several ocean liners.
1t will take a crew of about So men
to man the new boat. The vessel will
be their home. The quarters of the
will be on the boat deck, aft of the
of the crew will be quartered in special
e+o+o.oox,~ Io1ou- 4Io ,0,,In 1oo1y Of
The arrangements in the galley and
dining room on the main deck,
where the crew will have their meals,
is a revolution in the comfort of the
crew.
On the main deck forward is locat-
ed a complete refrigerator plant which
will care for all perishable food, ice
cream and soft drink cabinets. There
will be no ice on board, the six drink
ing fountains on board in addition to
the two soda fountains will be cared
for by this r~efrigerating system.
The comfort for both men and
women on the main deck in the way
of sitting rooms, smoking rooms, Law
atories and toilets surpass any boat
now plying on the Delaware river,
particularly in the ladies' section,
which is a suite, are ~full-lengths, beV-
eled, plate-glass mirrors galore. The
sitting room is equipped with wicker
work furniture with plenty of cushions
to make a river ride nor comfortable
for any woman or child who may be
suddenly taken i'll.
The refreshment stand on the main
deck is a wonder. Equipped with two
counters on the side and an end coun-
ter, everything has been designed to
attain the maximum percentage IN
sanitary measures. The frankfurter
boilers. milk coolers, coffee urn and
soda fountain equipment are up to the
|, minute. Pies and cake will be under
plate glass as will also be the cigars,
confectionery and fruit. The counters
of the refreshment stand, which can
accommodate nearly one hundred PEG
pie at one time, are fitted up with
polished Monel metal which is non
corrosive and the last word in SAM
tary perfection.
Of the most importance to children
and others who want to see how the
engines work, the casing oven the
big engine that will drive the boat,
have been left open. As a result, the
youngsters and dad can lean over the
rail and watch the engines revolve to
their hearts content.
The second deck of the boat, known
as the saloon deck, will be devoted al
most exclusively to dancing. The work
of the designer needed the experience
of an artist in arranging for this new
feature on Wilson Line boats. The
deck is arranged after the fashion of
a Partisan boulevard. the light equip
ment being small street lamps. In
the center of the dancing floor is the
orchestra stand where music will be
furnished for those who like to trip
the light fantastic. Around the sides
and at the rear of the saloon deck will
be ample room for persons to sit and
watch the dancers. Another refresh
ment stand is located on this deck;
also water fountains.
The third deck of the boat is known
as the observation deck. A brand new
idea is incorporated on this deck
which is really three decks, because
the deck is elevated in three places
so that persons sitting on the first,
second and third elevation are all able
to see what is passing with out OBJ
structing each others view. The diff
ferent terraces, or platforms are pro
tected by iron railing which is a
rather unusual feature on most river
steamers.
The fourth deck is known as the
boat deck and passengers very likely
will only be allowed on the aft part
of this deck.
On this deck the equipment for life
saving, such as life RATS, life boats,
are located. In this connection the
new boat is the superior to all Others
of the line. the boat davits being of a
mechanical type which is the latest
device for such equipment.
There is also opportunity in from
of the pilot house and officers quar-
ters on the boat deck for a limited
number of passengers who want t.
get all the open air possible on thu
ride. Looking down from the boa
deck to the water is a distance OF
throughout the boat, the estate o
Delaware" is finished in mahogany
The frame work of the ~super-struct
ure is entirely of steel. The decks ar
of wood covered with canvas, so tina