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53 , MARINE REVIEW ACCOMMODATIONS OF SHAWMUT AND TREMONT. - Two years ago the Maryland Steel Co., Sparrow's Point, Md., built the Shawmut and Tremont for the Boston Steamship Co., a new shipping enterprise organized to engage in trade be- tween the Pacific coast and the orient. The steamers, which are magnificent examples of their kind, were built purely as freight- ers, but after they had been in service for a short time it was found advantageous to incorporate passenger accommodations into them. This work was entrusted to Moran Bros. Co., Seattle, «Wash., and how well the company has done can be seen by a glance at the accompanying photographs. The dimensions of the steamers are as follows: Length over all, 505 ft.; length be- tween perpendiculars, 488 ft.; beam molded, 58 ft.; depth molded to main deck, 22 ft. 1 in.; depth molded to upper deck, 32 ft. I in.; depth molded to shelter deck, 4o ft.; draught, molded, 27 [Jan. 21, to fit it for the passenger trade. A new electric generator was installed to provide capacity for the extension of the lighting system, a donkey boiler was added with its connection to existing machinery piping and a large refrigerating plant with cold stor- age spaces was put in. In addition steel enclosures were built for galleys and pantries. New life boats were also added and the equipment was made ample for the transportation of troops. The plumbing fixtures installed are the highest class of Mott's pro- ducts. The alterations outlined were made in the steamers in less than 120 days. A Washington dispatch' says that a final decision has been reached against the passage of a-river and harbor bill at the present session of congress. The policy of the fewest possible. appropriations during a presidential year determined the sacrifice PHOTOS OF PASSENGER ACCOMMODATIONS INSTALLED IN SHAWMUT AND TREMONT BY MORAN BROS. CO., SEATTLE, WASH. CAPTAIN'S ROOM. SOCIAL HALL. ft. The steamers are of the three-deck type with shelter deck. At the load draught of 27 ft. their displacement is 16,950 tons. They have nine cargo hatches, giving access to an equal number of main compartments on the respective decks. As the steamers had no passenger accommodations whatever, except for the ship's personnel, the work of Moran Bros. Co. consisted of pro- viding passenger accommodations for first and second class, in- volving a number of structural alterations and additions and the complete equipment of galleys and pantries. One of the addi- tions is the pilot house on each vessel, located over the original wheel house, the wheel house having been fitted up as quarters for the captain, his original quarters in turn being transformed into passenger accommodations. There are two sets of quarters for first-class passengers, one in the forward house "under the wheel house and surrounded by the bridge decks, the other in the. midship house. In, the forward passenger quarters is located the social hall, while the dining room with pantry and smoking room are a part of the midship passenger quarters. The new accommodations for the ship's personnel have been provided on the shelter deck in the midship house. The passenger accom- modations throughout have been made large and airy, special at- tention having been given to lighting, ventilation, lavatories and baths. The main dining saloon, smoking room and _ captain's quartets have been finished in choice hardwoods, polished in their natural colors. Thesé spaces have beén fitted with artistic orna- mental electri¢ light fixtures. Oe ve ~ 'The equipment of each steamer was considerably increased SMOKING ROOM. FIRST-CLASS DINING SALOON, of the river and harbor bill, House and administration reached the conclusion last summer that this measure should be choked off. The chances for the legislation looked: brighter when Con- gressman Burton returned from his European trip. At first he was hardly ready to accept in any part the dictum of the party chiefs, realizing as he did the urgent necessity for many .of the improvements urged. Then he hoped that it would be possible to secure a compromise in the form of a modified hill. To this end many conferences have been held between Mr. Burton and the president, Secretary Root, Speaker Cannon and others prominent in administration councils. Mr. Burton did not lose hope until quite lately, but members urging river and harbor projects who have seen him within the last few days have been given to under- stand that he has finally accepted the verdict against such legis- lation as final and necessary. There is to be; it is understood, a small appropriation made to cover maintenance of existing works where this is absolutely indispensable and a loss to the govern- ment through deterioration would accrue without it. Edward Ramage of 267 Wellington street, west, Toronto, who has a plant for repairs to steel and composite vessels, is at present engaged at the government dry dock, Kingston, in carry- ing out a repair job on the Niagara Navigation Co.'s steamer ° Chicora that will not be finished until April 1. About 120 shell plates are being taken off. The job involves also the removal of some stern platés and straightening of the stern, as well as extra belt frames, and other work around the engine room,