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
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.
This new and superior steamer arrived at this port on her first trip from New Bedford, on Saturday last. Our old and much esteemed friend, Capt. Cromwell, who commands her, is greatly pleased with her, in every respect and thinks her a better boat than was the Eagle’s Wing. We hope to see her well patronized. Since the old boat was burned, the Vineyard people have suffered much for want of a regular communication with the main land.
We regret to announce the almost total loss of this splendid and favorite steamer by fire. She left here for New Bedford on Wednesday, the 24th ult., and made a fine passage to that port. Shortly after arriving there, she steamed up for Providence, with the intention of making an excursion from that city. She had proceeded to within five miles of Providence, when she was discovered to be on fire in the vicinity of the steam-chimney on the promenade deck.
The Steamer Eagle's Wing, Capt. Benj. C. Cromwell, now makes four trips per week to New Bedford, instead of three as heretofore. On Monday, she leaves Edgartown at a quarter to 7 o'clock, A.M., and returns the same day, leaving New Bedford at 2 P.M. She leaves again on Tuesday, at the same hour, and returns on Wednesday, leaving New Bedford at 11 o'clock, A.M. She again leaves for New Bedford, on Thursday, and returns on Friday, and finishes up her work for the week by going and returning on Saturday, at the same hours as on Monday.
The new and beautiful steamer Metacomet, which is to ply between this place and Fairhaven, arrived here, on her first trip, Thursday afternoon. As the Metacomet rounded the East Chop, a cannon was fired as a signal of her approach; and as she entered our harbor, a salute of fifty guns, and the hearty cheers of our people, welcomed her arrival among us.
