The Steamer Gerome Opens a New Era for River Trade

The long-looked-for arrival of the steamer Gerome took place last night at about 7:45. Shortly before that time a telephone message was received from Benton announcing the fact that the big boat had passed that place on its way down the river. The news quickly spread over the city, and a large percentage of our citizens were on the bank to give it a hearty welcome. The steamer is eighty-two feet long with a sixteen-foot beam, capable of carrying 109 tons and about a hundred passengers. It has recently been fitted with new machinery throughout and is in first-class condition. The boat left Wenatchee yesterday morning at 5 o'clock and made the trip down the river in a little over twelve hours. The journey was uneventful with the exception of the trip past Rock Island, the worst piece of rapids on the upper river. In this stretch of water the boat became unmanageable and turned completely around, jamming against a rock and tearing away part of the woodwork on one side, but inflicting no serious damage. It is the intention of the owners to lie up here for repairs, repainting, and equipping the boat for its work on the river, which will take about ten days. During this season, she will make daily trips between this point and the foot of Priest Rapids, calling at Benton and other landings.