Bearing the name of the famous Sankaty head of Nantucket, which was bestowed upon her by a New Bedford girl, the steamboat Sankaty was launched from the Fore River yards at 12:05 Thursday, Feb. 2d, in the presence of an enthusiastic party of citizens of New Bedford, Martha’s Vineyard and Nantucket, and the U. S. naval officers on duty at the Fore River yards.

The Sankaty was christened by Miss Elizabeth Hathaway, who is a stenographer in the office of the New Bedford, Martha’s Vineyard & Nantucket steamboat company for whom the boat is being constructed. Miss Hathaway is the granddaughter of James H. Hathaway, for many years city treasurer of New Bedford.

In the party accompanying Miss Hathaway were Treasurer Chauncey G. Whiton of the steamboat company, and Mrs. Whiton,
Miss Hellen Whiton,
Mr. and Mrs. William B. Orswell,
Mrs. Elizabeth B. Hathaway,
Miss Bertha M. Young,
Mr. William H. Crook,
Mr. and Mrs. Charles S. Collins,
Capt. and Mrs. J. W. Marriman,
Capt. and Mrs. Benjamin C. Cromwell,
Capt. Jesse T. Sherman,
Mr. and Mrs. Harry B. Turner,
Mr. and Mrs. David L. Parker,
Capt. Chas. E. Davis,
Mr. and Mrs. David I. Whiton,
Miss Bernice Howland,
Miss Beulah Howland, and many others.

Various officials of the railroad and steamboat companies in and around Boston were also guests at the launching.

The building of the Sankaty has been made necessary by the extraordinary increase in the summer patronage of the resorts of Martha’s Vineyard and Nantucket. The new ship represents the latest achievement in marine construction. A propeller, instead of the side-wheeled method of propulsion, was adopted for the new steamboat, as a result of long study, particularly since the extensive channel improvements have been completed at Woods Hole and Nantucket by the U. S. government.

The Sankaty is 195 feet over all, 135 feet deep at the center, 37 feet 8-inch beam, and has a draft of 9 feet 6 inches when loaded. She will be beautifully decorated and finished.

She is constructed of steel, and has five bulkheads that extend to the main deck, two more than are required by the U. S. government regulations. She will be propelled by triple expansion engines of a new type.

It is thought the steamer will be delivered at New Bedford about the middle of April and that she will be ready for service the last of May. Nothing definite has been announced as to officers of the boat, but it is probably Engineer Orswell will be in charge of the engine at first.