The Tacoma times. [volume] (Tacoma, Wash.) 1903-1949, 1941-11-25


The very name of he vessel was
indicative Of the era. Fsirhaven
was one Of several communities
which were mushrooming on the
shores of virtually every Puget
Sound cove and inlet that would
lend itself to the popular slogan:
Where Rail Meets Sail"
Became Bellingham
Many indeed were the townsites
staked out then by optimistic and
energetic real estate spectators.
Des MONIES, Milton. Puget City.
Allyn and Springfield were a few
created near Tacoma. The one
thus created then with the name
of Fairhaven later was merged
with New Whatcom and Sehome to
become what is now Bellingham.
One Of the speculative investors
in Fairhayen was one of Taco
mas prominent and influential
citizens, Nelson Bennett.
Built Tunnel
He gained first fame and
wealth as builder of the Northern
Pacific Railways tunnels through
the Cascades and through the
bluffs Of Point Defiance.
with flags floating gaily to
the breeze amid a shrill medley
of screeching whistles the stern
wheel steamboat Fairhaven glided
safely and noiselessly down the
well fabricated ways and was de-
clared launched at 4 p. m. yester-
day May Is, 1897 at the tide
flats.
On Hand for wedding
The bay was dotted with tugs
and rowboats, and scullsrs
o'Connor, Lee. Ham and Peterson
were also at hand to witness the
wedding Of the pretty Fairhaven
with waters Of the Sound.
Miss Sadie Bennett, attirsd In
dress of pale blue fabric, and
wearing her long sliken tresses
with becoming grace. broke a pint
bottle Of wine on the vessels bow.
The steamer lurched heavily
upon striking the water and 1t was
with difficulty that some Of the
passengers retained an upright
position"
Cheered On All sides
The new vessel was cheered on
all sides as she made her way from
the shipysrds 10 Old Town. where
she took aboard slab fuel. She wa
painted white, and had q wide
stripe of light blue around her
passenger cabins.
The Fairhsven was escorted by
the steamer Harry Lynn. aborad
which were such distinguished
guests as z. N. Wilson, vice presi-
dent Of the Fairhaven Land Co.;
Mrs. Nelson Bennett and her
daughters. Sadie and Ceta: Misa
Kate Cunningham; Mrs. NJ. z
Cunningham; Mrs. Eliza Hender-
son; Capt. Montfort: Mrs. Scott;
Mrs. Holbrook.
The new Steamboat was com
manded by Capt. Herbert NJ Park
er. who immodestly declared the
Fairhaven was the strongest snc
best boat on Puget Sound"
The steamer Fairhaven wal
built at Benefits order. and wa,
named in honor Of his" town. shs
was a fine example Of her type
and carried passengers and freight
between Fsirhaven and Tacoma
The vessel was built by John J
Holland At a shipyard situated OF
the Puyallup river about vher'
the Wheeler-Osgood Corp. now IL
HOLLAND had for a neighbor !
little pioneer sswmill. q lon.
structure bearing the name Of 81
Paul A. Tacoma Lumber Co. am
nearby II. s. Huson Of the North
ern Pacific Railway was spending
some 5000 900 70 build railros'
shops. A dredge was on its wa,
from San Francisco 10 create III,
City Waterway
Walked Across Bridge
Tscomsns attending the launch
ing Of the Fsirhsyen came b.
walking across a wooden foot
bridge at 18th st, or came b.
rowboat from the Tacoma hote
and across marshy tidelands Will
wild geese, snipe and ducks ros
squswking from their homes.
A contemporary newspapef clip
ping describes the actual launch
ing thus:
Oher members of he Fsirhsyei