Steamboat Frank Jones Built in 1892 The Frank Jones was built by the New England Shipbuilding Com- pany at Bath, Maine, for the Maine Central Railroad in 1892, for service to the most eastern bays and harbors of the Maine coast, in- cluding Castine, where this splendid photograph was taken. It was considered a very modern steamboat at that time and most successful though it had quite an ocean roll. Well designed, with a beautiful saloon and comfortable staterooms, the Frank Jones was one of the first large boats on the Maine coast with the incline type of en- gine, though the beam engine continued to be used on most boats until the loss of the Portland. The Jones had especially fine life-saving equip- ment, and a handsome carved and gilded eagle gleamed from the top of the pilot house before searchlights came into use. It carried a crew of forty-nine men. After thirteen years of service, the vessel was sold and the name changed to Fenimore. It was then used on one of the steamboat lines from New York to Fall River, and later was in service on the Hudson River. In 1917, the Fenimore went into war service for the United States Navy and paddled between New York and Norfolk, Virginia. It was blown up while at anchor in the York River. The Frank Jones was 253 feet long, 36 feet breadth, 13 feet depth of hold; 1,634 gross tons and 1,078 net tons. 169