The Launch of the Messenger
A new steamer designed for Puget Sound makes a graceful debut on the water.
The story, cleaned up
A cleaned-up reading of the newspaper page: spelling and layout repaired, one story lifted off a crowded page. It follows the original closely but it is not a transcription. The original page is below; read it if a detail matters.
On Wednesday morning, it was announced that the new boat built by Mr. J. D. Higgins at Tulalip for the P.S.T. Co. was to be launched that afternoon at 2 o'clock. By half-past one, a large number of people from town, Tulalip, and the country had assembled. About forty persons availed themselves of the opportunity to step aboard the steamer, which was gaily decked with new bunting. At precisely 2 o'clock, word was given, 'All ready, let her go!' She slid down the ways, gaining velocity as she went, and striking the water level she dashed it from her with a graceful surge. At that moment, Capt. J. G. Parker drew on the halliards and the colors opened to the breeze, displaying the name Messenger—a very appropriate one. The boat is a beauty and a credit to her builder. Her lines are good, and she is thoroughly constructed and fastened. Her draught, light without machinery and houses, is exactly seven and one-half inches. We wish her and her owners success.
“She slid down the ways, gaining velocity as she went, and striking the water level she dashed it from her with a graceful surge.”
Steamboat travel was the lifeblood of Snohomish County's economy before the prevalence of roads and rail. Today, the legacy of these 'mosquito fleet' vessels is remembered in the maritime history of the Snohomish River delta, though the bustling scenes of launch parties at private shipyards have long faded into the quiet of modern water-access parks.
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