The Nancy Comes to the Pend d'Oreille

The Metaline Rapid Transit Company is the latest in navigation circles. It is a Spokane corporation, and W. W. Warner, the well-known Metaline mining engineer, is general manager. The company has just closed a deal with Portland parties for the purchase of the gasoline launch Nancy, one of the fastest boats on the Willamette River last season. The Nancy is 40 feet long, has a seven-foot beam and draws 22 inches when loaded. She is equipped with a six-cylinder gasoline engine having a five-inch bore and a six-inch stroke. The boat is lighted by electricity, having both a storage battery and a dynamo. Her bow is encased in glass and she is supplied with curtains to protect passengers aft. The new boat will have a capacity for carrying 20 passengers, and the owners expect to make the round trip between Metaline and Newport daily, leaving the former place in the morning and arriving at this port by noon. The Nancy was built at Portland during the year 1907 by the Honeyman Co., and at the time of her trial was the fastest boat on the river, having attained a speed of 23 miles an hour. A later boat defeated her and her owner placed her on the market. She is built in regular motor-boat style and her bottom is nearly flat so that she rides the water like a duck. The new craft cost the company $4,800 at Portland. Mr. Warner will go to Portland next week to prepare the boat for shipment, and it is expected that she will be afloat in the Pend d'Oreille River early in March and will be placed in commission by March 15. H. J. Warner, a son of the general manager, will be captain and engineer of the boat. The new captain is said to be a skillful engineer and to have had several years' experience managing craft of this character. He is also well acquainted with the Pend d'Oreille. In connection with the new boat the company will construct a large bateau for use in handling freight between Metaline and Ione. The bateau will be towed backward and forward through the canyon, and thus save the necessity for the wagon haul around that stretch of water. The addition of the Nancy to the river fleet will give the lower river people the finest of service, in connection with the other boats. It is expected that, when the schedules are arranged, a person may leave Metaline in the morning and arrive in Spokane early in the afternoon of the same day. The service from Spokane to Metaline will also be much improved. The purchase of the Nancy makes it almost certain that there will be at least three new boats in service on the river this season, in addition to the rebuilt Spokane.