The arrival of the "Mary Weems" at the Port of Palm Beach

#3196PP. Jan. 3, 1927. Palm Beach, Florida. Sepia tone photograph with pasteboard back and glass front, all encased in an original cherry frame with original varnish. Photography by W.E. Landes. This photograph commemorates a significant event in the history of Palm Beach, Florida. The Mary Weems was the first passenger steamer to enter the Port of Palm Beach, and a big deal was made of the event. She was greeted by the mayors of West Palm Beach, Palm Beach, Lake Worth, Riviera Beach and Kelsey City (now Lake Park), together with leaders of area clubs and organizations, “bathing girls, airplanes, yachts and bands,” and a seaplane carrying a reporter and photographer from the Palm Beach Daily News. After one day in port, the Mary Weems left for Miami. The Mary Weems made the three-day run from Philadelphia and Baltimore, charging $75.21 for the round trip including “meals and berth.” The ship sported “best cuisine and service” and “every modern convenience” — rooms with twin beds, showers and baths, and hot and cold running water. Built in 1918 at Elizabeth, New Jersey, this ship was originally named the “Plainfield.” She was purchased at some point prior to 1925 by the Baltimore and Carolina Steamship Company and operated as the “Mary Weems”, apparently named after a relative of the owner of the company. She was sold to the Portland California Steamship Company in late 1927, renamed the “Admiral Peopl,” and was operated by the Admiral Line on a Portland to California route between late 1927 and 1933. She was again sold, in 1934, to Northland Transportation Company, who renamed her the “North Sea”. She met her demise when she was stranded on the coast of British Columbia in 1947. Very good condition with some extremely minor losses to photograph - a couple of minor water stains on pasteboard back - minor scratches on finish of frame. Height: 14.5", Width: 22". $375.00.