The Telegraph-courier. [volume] (Kenosha, Wis.) 1888-1946, 1923-05-03
STEAMER FLEET
FOR KENO PORT
Three New Freighters Be
ing Constructed for Hill
Steamboat Line.
ONE READY TO SAIL
Boats, Built for Uncle Sam,
viii Be Best Operating on
Lakes Inspectors Say.

A fleet of steamboats,, which will be
second to none operating on fresh
water, are under construction now IN
the Sturgeon Bay dry docks. They are
the property of the Hill, Steamboat
Lines Of Kenosha.
One of the feet of three freighters,
"The Waukegan," is completed and is
now lying anchored at the Hill docks,
a splendid specimen of seacraft and a
striking tribute to it's designers and
builders. That Kenosha will soon be
the home of one of the leading steam
ship lines on the Great Lakes is now
self evident. Both "The Waukegan"
and "The Sheboygan." still under con
struction, will be completed and put
into service within another month, ac7
cerding to A. s. Hubenthal, the general
freight agent of the company.
Built for Uncle Sam.
According to government inspectors
and the American Bureau Of Shipping,
these three boats will be the strongest
built of any operating on fresh water.
The freighters we're originally intend
ed for salt water use, the government
marine department having begun their
construction. At an expense to Uncle
Sam of 100000, the boats were 80 per
cent completed, when an insumclent
navel budget prevented them from be-
ing completed and obliged the depart
ment to sell them at sacrifice. The
Hill Boatline of this city, headed by
President W. w. Hill and Secretary
Treasurer L. L. Hill, made the purchase
and transferred the boats to Lake Mich
iean. "The Waukegan" is ready TO
put to sea while "The Kenosha" ana
"The Sheboygan" will be ready IN
another months time. ao
Boat Has Large Tonnage.
"The Waukegan" has gross tonnage
of 1853 tons and net tonnage Of 519 tons,
which is the equivalent capacity OF
40 box cars Of 36 feet each. The
freiobter is a three deck affair the
Main intermediate and lower decks
ond two holds. The engine is OF
tr;nle1 expansion design, $50 horse
power. :, uy:a
Industries in Kenosha and all WIS
consin cities for that matter, Will wei
corna the arrival of the new shipping
eeet "a they will obviously help ex-
uedite shipping to an immense degree,
The feet will operate from kenosha ana
Ch;.ogo north as far as Marinette and
Washington Island.
The Hill Steamboat Line is purely
local institution. 1t has been operating
In the Kenosha port since 1908, total
Of twenty years. L. L. Hill, founder
of the boat line, is mariner OF many
wears sailing. He brought out every
boat in the Hill service and has held
a master mariner for more than Az
years. He still aspires to do some
sailing. "The Waukegan" will be the
first company boat in which ne Will
not act as initial captain. But the
honor is to remain in that family as
his son, w. E. Hill, licensed master.
will captain the vessel. Another son,
L. A. Hill, will act as chief engineer.
'eThe Waukegan" Is Modern.
"The Waukegan" is modern freight
er in every detail, from the giant
engine to the hurricane and cabin decks.
Both the other two boats, still under
construction, will be of the same de-
sign.
A banquet aboard "The Waukegan'
is being arranged for few days be-
fore the boat makes its first lake trip.
Prominent Kenoshans, those connected
with industries especially, will be ip-
vited by the Hill Steamboat company.