The Boat That Built Itself Twice: How a Portland Captain Saved His Alaska Dream

PORTLAND, March 13. — Captain B. R. Spencer, of this city, will launch next week with another "knock-down" steamer, which he will take to Alaska. According to local reports, the boat is destined for carrying mail and passengers on the lake.

Captain Spencer is one of the few men who made money out of the Klondike without disposing of any gold out of the country. He left Portland about a year ago with a "knock-down" steamer (the Willie Irvine) which he carried over the Skaguay trail and put together at Lake Bennett. The ice broke up, and, saving the propeller as well as the best lumber, he ran an immense business. Spencer got back all that she had net him on first trip, and then ran her down to Dawson, where he sold her for $15,000, which was more than she cost ready to run at Bennett.

He then returned to Portland, arriving late last summer. While he was superintending the building of the Willie Irvine party of Seattle specialists, bound for Alaska, let a contract to Joseph Supple, who was doing work for Spencer, to build an exact duplicate of the Willie Irvine for them. The boat was built, and in knock-down shape it was made aboard the steamer Oarrock and Blackhound, which had each an unfortunate experience with the Washington coast.

For the time the two wrecked steamers were towed back to port, the season was too far gone for much to be done in Alaska, and the Eastern Company sold out what remained of their boat very cheap. On examination of his purchase, Spencer found but very little missing, and it did not take Mr. Supple long to supply the parts needed, and the craft will be ready to ship next Saturday.

The dimensions of the boat are: length 50 feet; beam 20 feet, depth of hold 8 feet 6 inches. She is equipped with engines 7½ inches in diameter, and 10-inch stroke, and with a Howard exhaust bell.