Work at Smith Yard

The yards of the Leathem D. Smith Dock Company has been the busiest place in the city during the present winter. While there has not been a large crew of men employed, thirty or more have been given steady work since early last fall, and will continue on thru the remainder of the winter and spring.

The crew of men have been employed on the rebuild and repair work of the small passenger steamers Mineral City and Skater of Chicago; the stone carrying barge Adriatic and tug Smith owned by the company.

The Skater has had the most extensive rebuild. A new stern has been put in the craft extending from amidships aft. New stanchions have been put in all way round supporting the upper excursion deck, and the pilot house has been placed on the third deck. The craft has been fitted with a new wheel, the engine overhauled and boiler repaired. About $8,000 will have been expended on the craft by the time it goes into commission.

The sister ship of the Skater, the Mineral City, has had new frames and planking and the pilot house raised to the third deck.

The stone carrier Adriatic is having upward of $10,000 expended on it. The port quarter is being entirely rebuilt, and new frames planking put in.

The tug Smith has had a new fantail, replacing the one that was damaged last fall. The machinery has also been overhauled and placed in good condition and the tug will be ready by opening, of navigation.

The steambarge Buckley, of Menominee, which is wintering at the Smith dock, is being looked over by outside parties and if she is purchased considerable work will be done on the craft here before she goes into commission.