The Ruth Takes Shape for the Wildest Steamboat Ride in America

All of the machinery for the Ruth has arrived and been unloaded. The owners of the boat think that she will be in shape to make her trial trip by the first week in September, as the carpenters have about finished their work, with the exception of building the wheel and doing a few odd jobs that will be necessary after the machinery has been installed.

President Hoyt, of the company, accompanied by Secretary Creighton, were Newport visitors Tuesday and returned to Spokane on Wednesday. Capt. Lanneau will remain here until the machinery has all been placed in position and the boat has been given a trial.

The Ruth is the strongest boat of the fleet on the river. Her builder, John Sound, of Portland, has finished a good job after the plans furnished. The boat in navigating Box Canyon will be supplied with appliances for lining her through that bad piece of water in case her machinery should not be of sufficient power to take her through by the usual methods.

The Ruth will be engaged in transporting concentrates from the Metaline mines, and it is understood that the owners have contracts for a sufficient quantity of ore to keep the boat in commission at all seasons of the year that is possible to navigate the canyon. In addition to carrying the ore the boat will be engaged in a general passenger and freight business. Her accommodations for passenger traffic are excellent and equal to the best on the river. The trip through the canyon will be one of the most exciting rides to be obtained on any river in the United States navigated by boats of any size.