The launching of the B. Y. N. steamer Tutshi took place at Carcross Tuesday, June 12, at 9:30 p. m., and was witnessed by an enthusiastic and appreciative throng of home people as well as by many visitors. As the vessel slid smoothly and gently down the ways into the water Miss Mazie Cochran broke the bottle of grape that had been
especially imported for the occasion and christened her "Tutshi."
The launching was a big success and the handsome craft, whose lines are as fine as an ocean greyhound, took to the water as gracefully and naturally as an acquatic bird. Cheer after cheer broke from the crowd in honor of A. E. Henderson, who as a designer and builder of the boat, is in a class by himself, and in this voluntary demonstration of approval by the spectators Mr. Henderson's able assistants, Messrs. H. Hunt and M. McAskell, were not forgotten.
The vessel is 165 feet in length, 35 foot beam, and has accommodation for
80 first class passengers. There are three decks - freight, main and Texas. On the first are located the machinery, lighting plant, cook galley and pastry room. On the second the staterooms, all opening outward onto a wide promenade. On the forepart of this deck is the observation room, with doors leading into it on either side from the promenade. The purser has his office in the back part of the observation room, and opposite are several linen closets, etc. Running from the observation room to the smoking room aft is the saloon, a
luxuriously fitted up apartment, the color effects of which are a harmonious and restful green. The woodwork of the saloon has a white background, brown and gold moldings and panels of veneered oak, with greenheart stain. In the front end of the room is an electric fire place, with a medieval scene, inlaid in wood, over the mantel piece. On one side of the room is a steward's pantry, equipped with all the modern conveniences for prompt service, and connected with the cook galley on the freight deck by a dumb waiter. There is an electric annunciator in the pantry.
Al Stewart had charge of the painting of the Tutshi. and both he and his
able corps of assistants are deserving of the highest praise for the very artistic manner in which they performed their work. A lack of space forbids our giving a more detailed account of it.
On the upper deck are the pilot house, several state rooms and the rooms of the officers of the ship.
Power is furnished by a locomotive type boiler and a Reese-Poppett valve engine. The vessel's speed is approximately 15 knots per hour, but in an emergency she could make 17 to 18 knots. A Depue hydraulic steering gear is used to control the course of the vessel.
The Tutshi is lighted throughout by an 8 kilowatt electric engine of the
Sturtevant type, which also operates the searchlight. All the staterooms are supplied with hot and cold water, and on each deck are toilet rooms for both men and women. Wood is the fuel used.
The vessel left Carcross last night with the first tourists, on its initial run on the Atlin route, with Capt. James Roberts in command; Capt. I. B. Sanburn, former port engineer at Whitehorse for the B. Y. N., acting as pilot; Jas. Lauderdale, chief engineer; Fred Vey, second; Phil. Lacy, purser, and A. Golden, chief steward.
Good luck to the Tutshi.
