The burning of the steamer Sankaty at her wharf in New Bedford on Monday evening of this week, has been the most thrilling event in this section this week.
Damage estimated at $350,000 was caused by the fire which started on the dock of the New England Steamship Company and totally destroyed the dock and burned the steamer Sankaty of the Vineyard Line to the water’s edge.
The new steamer, which has been building at Wilmington, Del., for the N. B., M. V. & N. Steamboat Co., was launched yesterday afternoon and named “Uncatena.” Mrs. C. G. Whiton, wife of the agent and treasurer of the line, christened the new boat. It is understood the name is a compromise between the advocates in the directorate of the names Mattakessett and Nobska. The new steamer’s name is selected in honor of the island of Uncatena, one of the Elizabeth group.
A spectacular blaze, the cause of which is not definitely determined, destroyed the freight she and outer end of the Oak Bluffs steamboat wharf late Wednesday afternoon, involving a loss of property owned by Vincent’s Fish Market, on the dock property, the value of which was set at $30,000 and a loss to the Steamship Authority, covered by insurance, not yet even approximated. The fish market equipment was uninsured, according to David Vincent, the proprietor.
Only the signature of Governor Furcolo now remains to turn into law the bill setting up a new Steamship Authority with three members, locally appointed, to represent the Vineyard Nantucket, and Falmouth, and with final emancipation from New Bedford. State House observers and others believe that the governor will sign the measure promptly, although the strong political pressure from New Bedford is not discounted.
The long boat strike came to an end last night after the ratification of an agreement with the unlicensed men closely following the pattern of that previously reached with the licensed men. The agreement is, in essence, the modified 0-4-4 proposal which had received widespread publicity.
The vote of the union for ratification after a prolonged session lasting until 6 last night, was 90 to 6. The Authority voted unanimously, 4 to 0, for ratification.
The Fourth of July, the anniversary of the Nation’s independence, passed off in this town, without any public demonstration of joy, and the stillness of the Sabbath reigned throughout the day; but from many hearts devout aspirations of gratitude ascended...
At last, the namesake ferry of Martha’s Vineyard and the newest addition to the Steamship Authority’s fleet has arrived.
The MV Martha’s Vineyard survived the rough trip up the coast from Florida and sailed magnificently into Vineyard waters this week.
At 2:30 on Monday afternoon, she arrived in Woods Hole. In front of a cheering crowd of SSA employees, Capt. Ed Jackson showed off the boat’s powerful new bow thrusters by performing a quick turnabout before pulling the vessel into the slip.
Beginning Sunday, Nov. 11, the Island steamboat schedule will be changed to eliminate the trips to and from Edgartown. The last boat in the evening will put into Vineyard Haven and remain there, leaving at 6:10 in the morning as has been the custom.
The sale of the Uncatena comes as no great surprise. She has not been needed for some time, even as an extra boat, and the sight of her at her berth in New Bedford has been a glimpse of the past for those Island travellers who noticed her. Her disappearance from the line to which she gave long and honorable service marks the end of an era. She was the last side-wheeler. Amazingly enough, the entire Island fleet has been recreated since 1922 and the four new craft which serve the Islands in summer are a great advance over the boats they have superseded.
Nearly 25 years after the M/V Martha’s Vineyard began her daily seven-mile passages between Woods Hole and the Vineyard, the Steamship Authority ferry is getting a $17.4 million makeover.
