From this day forth the Islander and the Nobska are but names, not boats. The Islander becomes the Martha’s Vineyard, the Nobska the Nantucket. Deputy Collector of Customs Duffy of the port of New Bedford has announced that on application of the New England Steamship company the change of names for the vessels has been approved by the commissioner of navigation. The third new steamer of the line will be the New Bedford. Thus are honors distributed with mathematical precision between the ports of call of the Island line.

In just four and one-half months from the time her keel was stretched on Nov. 10 last, the steel steamer Nobska, built for the New Bedford, Martha’s Vineyard and Nantucket steamboat line of the New England Steamship Company, was launched at 12:43 Tuesday afternoon by the Bath Iron Works, Ltd., at Bath, Maine.

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.