"Her social hall, ladies' saloon and toilet rooms were "all fitted in the Neapolitan style, with gold trimmings." The woodwork was of cherry, and the side seats in the cabins were covered with maroon plush upholstering. The social hall deck was laid with black walnut and maple - its size, too, was imposing, for its length was 50 feet. Above the main deck were the forward promenade and upper saloon, reached fore and aft by "richly carved staircases." Five state rooms on each side were furnished with willow furniture. The Gay Head could boast a hurricane deck extending from the stern to the pilot house; this was something earlier steamers had lacked."[3]
Career
Postcard image of the Gay Head
Gay Head was commanded initially in 1891 by Capt. A. P. Bartow and Capt. G. L. Daggett, and later by Capt. Charles H. Fishback of Nantucket, Capt. Charles H. Coulter (resigned 1909), and Capt. J. W. Merriman.[2]
In July 1898, the Gay Head collided with the steamer Nantucket while crossing Vineyard Sound in a dense fog. The Nantucket's bow was badly damaged in the accident.[2]
The Gay Head operated until 1924, after 33 years of operation.[4]
References
^Banks, Charles E., The History of Martha's Vineyard, Mass., Volume I. (Dukes County Historical Society, 1911)
^ abcTurner, Harry B. The Story of the Island Steamers (The Inquirer and Mirror Press, 1910)
