Inquirer and Commercial News (Perth, WA : 1855 - 1901), Wednesday 20 June 1888, page 5


Oar Fremantle Letter.

(From our Correspondent.]

The launching of the dredge took place yesterday afternoon. The ceremony occupied about two hours and the arrangements were considered to be very successful.

His Excellency and Lady Broome arrived about 2.30 pm and the vessel began to move on the ways of the slip about 3 pm. A large concourse of people assembled to witness the ceremony. The dredge, form erly nick-named Hampton's Yacht, will henceforth be known as ''The Black Swan.'' The christening of the vessel by Lady Broome took place as soon as the vessel began to move. The train which conveyed foot of the Railway bridge, close to where the launching took place, His Excellency and Lady Broome being received by the Mayor (Mr. D. K. Cong-don) and conducted to the place of the ceremony through an arch erected for the occasion. The arrangements were most complete and satisfactory and no serious hitches occurred throughout. Though the dredge may be considered an old vessel, the repairs which have been effect ed to the hull and machinery are said to have made her as good as new, and not with standing the excess of ceremony yesterday it is now hoped that 'The Black Swan' will lose no time in getting to work again in improving the navigation of the river from which it has, not inappropriately, taken its name in its second baptism. I notice the lamp-post erected in Cantonment road is scarcely in the proper place for lighting up the letter receiver, and as it is not to be wed till 1st July, it would be far better situated if moved opposite Mr. James Manning`s residence bringing the light so as to face the letter-box. The road leading from the East Freemantle Station is also badly in want of a good lamp, and as there is no light at the entrance to the platform,

which is far from being safe tor passengers leaving the station on dark nights, it is, I think, quite within the province of the corporation to draw the railway authorities attention to tie the facts, and seeing the road was made to the station at the expense of the Municipality it is a very small return for the Works department to neglect to erect a lamp near the station. It is hoped they will do so for the convenience of the travelling public Wednesday morning.