Steamer Islander, built by the Bath, (Me.) Iron Works, Ltd., for the New Bedford, Martha's Vineyard and Nantucket Steamboat Co., was launched Wednesday afternoon of last week, at about 5 o'clock.

Crashing together in the dense fog Monday morning the steamers Miramar and Gay Head sustained serious damage. The collision came off Mosher’s Ledge, outside New Bedford harbor.

The upper-works of the Miramar were smashed and she was battered in only a short distance above the water-line. It is probable that the presence of mind and prompt action of both captains avoided a serious accident. As it was there were no serious injuries and the damage to the boats is the only result of the crash.

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 Pusey & Jones Co., of Wilmington, Del., the builders of steamer Nantucket, have contracted to have another steamer ready to go on the line June 1st, 1891, and from the description which has been given she will excel in speed and seagoing qualities any steamboat ever on the line. The dimensions will be as follows: 210 feet long, 34 feet wide, 11 feet 6 inches deep, and draw 4 3/4 feet of water, which will allow her to go over Nantucket bar at any time of tide.

The new steamer Nantucket is about completed, and will come on the route about the 22nd of the present month. Capt. Charles C. Smith, of the steamer Monohansett, will bring her from the place of building and command her.

The new New Bedford, Martha’s Vineyard & Nantucket Steamboat Company consolidated from the New Bedford, Vineyard & Nantucket and the Nantucket & Cape Cod Steamboat Companies, was organized in New Bedford Thursday, 25th ult.

The new steamboat just built for the New Bedford and Vineyard Steamboat Company arrived here Monday night on her first trip, having made excellent time. The “steamboat committee” were out in full force to welcome the new boat, and a strong force from the village generally, - the “excursion committee,” we’ll call them - assisted the regular detail in their daily arduous duty.

Our little boat has now been performing duty upon her route for one week, and we can confidently state that the public, generally, are satisfied with her accommodations. Although a “little boat,” and, perhaps will be many times during two months of the coming season over-burdened, yet taken throughout all the year, for all practical purposes, she will be found to be a “love of a boat.” Her commander, Capt. John L. Gibbs, pronounces her to be a good seaboat, and one that will do good service for the Vineyard people.

“There is a point beyond which forbearance ceases to be a virtue,” and we think the people of Martha’s Vineyard have, long since, exceeded that point. To be sure you have cursed yourselves; you have waited patiently for “something to turn up,” until your patience has become supineness, and you have no one to blame but yourselves. But the Vineyard has just began to awaken from this morbid state, and has put forth a hand to help itself. One of the best efforts ever made upon this island has just been put into effective operation.