Seward daily gateway., 1923-07-28
EXCURS|ON|STSO|v
 STEAMER BUFORD NEARING SEWARD
DESCRIPTION OF FORMER U. s. TRANSPORT, NOW IN THE
 ALASKAN TRADE

The former transport Buford, bear ing a number of Los Angeles, San Francisco, and Seattle excursionists, is nearing Seward, on its trip to the far North. The Buford is owned by Ogden and Linderman, of San Fran cisco, who operate the vessel under the name of the Alaska-Siberian Navi- gation Company. Capt. Louis l.. Lane, a well known Alaskan and former Nome man is in charge of the Buford. Since being acquired by the present owners the Buford, an ex-transpOrt, has been remodeled and refitted, and now has unusual accommodations for freight and passengers.
 The Buford is 40 feet over all, has a beam of A feet, and displacement of 865O tons She is an oil burner and has a speed of 12 to 13 knots. The Buford carries 172 first class, 50 h. termediate and 300 steelage. All the staterooms are equipped with DeGs, and steerage passengers have beds with spring mattresses all bedding be- ing supplied~by the company,
 The vessel has a large social hall, open to all passengers, a dance hall with maple floors, an electric piano, and store handling everything car ried on steamships for the comfort of passengers, sold at cost plus car riage and handling charges This fea- ture was installed by the company as an accommodation, no attempt being made to make a profit.
 Professional gambling, the curse of the old time Nome carrier, has been banned on the Buford, and no employe is allowed to graft or hold up passen Lane learned that two of his employees were holding up passengers for things the steerage steward to him and rep rimanded him, and disrated the sec ond steward. confning him to his room and setting him ashore upon the boats arrival in Nome.
 Capt Lane makes an offer Or re- turning any fares to any one report, ing attempts to graft on the part of amDlOvac on the hoat
 The Buford has a large deck space for promenade. There are also four open decks on which passengers may lounge.
 On the forward deck is a steel house, steam heated, we'll ventilated, and equipped with chairs, tables and benches for the comfort of steerage passengers
 There are many baths aboard for both steerage and first class passen- gers. A shower is also provided the steerage. All baths are free and may be used as often as desired In both quarters are found drinking fountains supplying icewater.
 Cold storage facilities are unusually large, there being 268 tons of freez- , ing space, and 75 tons chilling rooms, The bake shop will handle 400 loaves at once. The boat is equipped with a modern ventilating system of electric fans. Every attention is paid to the steerage trade, in both quarters and | food
 The radio system in charge of chief radio operator Brock is modern, and has 4OO0 mile radius. Concerts are given for all passengers, taken from broadcasts in the States. Following is the personnel of the Buford's officers:
 L. L. Lane, captain; o. Noren. chief officer; M. T. Barker, chief engineer; W. A. Hopkins, purser; L. J. Barseau. chief steward.
 The owners of the Buford have ask ed that the citizens of Seward come aboard and inspect the ship while in port here.