Historic Shipwreck Profile: Additional Background on Vessel
La Feliz |
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Steam Freighter |
Source: The San Juan Islander (Friday Harbor, WA), 21 May 1904, p. 1, col. 2.
Courtesy of Newspapers.com.
Transcription:
THE "ISLANDER" IS LAUNCHED
EVENT WITNESSED BY A LARGE CROWD MAY 14
Dimensions and General Description of the Vessel--Owner Hopes to Have Her in Commission by July 1--Will Cost About $19,000.
Andrew Newhall's new freight and passenger steamer "Islander" was successfully launched at Newhall at a few minutes past six o'clock Saturday afternoon. The day was auspicious in every way and the launching was witnessed by a large number of people from East Sound, Olga, Doe Bay and Blakely island, as well as by a number from Friday Harbor and other points and by the passengers of the Buckeye en route to Bellingham. The staunch and graceful vessel "took to the water" like a duck and as she started to slide down the ways Miss Loretta Newhall, eldest daughter of the owner, broke against the bow the traditional bottle of "champagne," the neck of which was gay with red, white and blue ribbons, and said " I christen thee ' Islander.' " Standing straight and true in her cradle the trim vessel slid quickly into the calm waters of Cascade bay, while the steamer Buckeye and revenue launch Guard whistled a shrill welcome and the crowd on shore waved their handkerchiefs and cheered. The vessel would have floated immediately upon the surface of the bay as gracefully as a sea gull, but for the fact that the cradle had not been sufficiently ballasted to remain on the ways and allow the vessel to go free, but clung tenaciously to the hull, held there by the upward pressure of the water. After an unsuccessful effort to get the cradle out Sunday it was beached and weighted down with rock and the vessel floated easily on the next high tide and was towed to Bellingham where the work of putting in the machinery and piping is now under way.
After the launching, a fine lunch, including ice cream and cake and tea and coffee, was served by Mrs. Newhall and daughters at the boarding house of the Cascade Bay Lumber Company. It was a very enjoyable occasion and many were the congratulations extended to Mr. Newhall upon the successful launching and many the compliments upon the staunch and trim appearance of the "Islander," which all hope will be popular with the people and profitable for her owner.
The "Islander" is a trifle over 82 feet in length over all, 19 ½ feet beam and 9 feet depth of hold. She was designed by and built under the supervision of J. A. Scribner, of Friday Harbor. Only the best material has been used and her construction is exceptionally strong. Her ribs are ten inches wide and only twelve inches apart and she is stiffened at frequent intervals by very heavy oak knees, natural bend. Her planking inside and outside is of 2 1/4-inch fir. The "house" on the tonnage deck extends the full length of the vessel and is seven feet high. In this space, astern of the engine room, will be the ladies' cabin, which will be at the stern, as on the Buckeye, two state rooms, the dining room and cook's galley. The fore part will be the main freight deck. Above this will be the men's cabin, back of which there will be four state rooms. Above the men's cabin will be a "Texas," containing the pilot house and state rooms for the captain and mate. Comfortable quarters for a portion of the crew will be fitted up below the tonnage deck, in front of the engine room.
The machinery will consist of a fore and aft compound engine (10-23-14) which is expected to develop 200-horse power under a 150-pound head of steam from two boilers each 5x9. The shaft is five inches in diameter, with a five and one-half-inch crank. When completely equipped and ready for service the "Islander"' will have cost Mr. Newhall about $19,000. He hopes to have her in commission by the first of July.
Source: Santa Cruz Evening News (Santa Cruz, CA), 16 August 1923, p. 6, col. 4.
Courtesy of California Digital Newspaper Collection, Center for Bibliographic Studies and Research, University of California, Riverside.
Transcription:
NEW BOAT ARRIVES
The steamer “La Feliz” arrived in Monterey on Tuesday from San Francisco on its maiden trip. The boat is to call at Monterey regularly and will specialize in carrying sardines.
Source: Santa Cruz Evening News (Santa Cruz, CA), 14 July 1924, p. 5, col. 4.
Courtesy of California Digital Newspaper Collection, Center for Bibliographic Studies and Research, University of California, Riverside.
Transcription:
LINDEN STEAMSHIP CO. ENTERS LOCAL FIELD
Representatives of the Linden Steamship company have been in Santa Cruz for the past several days and after looking over the local field have decided to list Santa Cruz as one of their ports of freight service and like the Santa Cruz and Monterey Steamship company, will have an office in the municipal wharf warehouse, close to the main entrance on the right.
Sunday Faraola, manager of the Western Fish company, informed The News yesterday that the new company will be ready for business this week and will appoint a local representative to attend to their interests here.
The Linden Steamship company have special dock service at pier number 23 in San Francisco, and the maiden trip of their modern freighter, the La Feliz, will be made on Wednesday, when it will dock here at 8 o'clock.
According to present plans the La Feliz will call at this port every Wednesday and Saturday. The La Feliz will also call at Moss Landing and Monterey twice a week.