The Dorset County Express and Agricultural Gazette.
Dorchester, Dorset, England, 1879-05-20 00:00:00

TRIAL TRIP OF THE EMPRESS.

The trial trip of this splendid steamer. which Mew.
Comas and Coral:mai (limited) have AUL ".'...'wee;to theii
line of excursion steami•re—an account of which we_na
a short time since—took place so Thuratay laat, no:
who n caved invitations were directors, shareholders.
kuudkoldsrs, and a few of the officials connected with the
port. The start took place about hall.past eleven o'clock,
under most favourable auspices, for, although there was
good stiff breeze blowing from the south. weet;the weather
was all that could be cleared. Jot se the steamer moved
a from the pica, under the command of Captain William
Ckeene. Messrs. Jones's baud, which was on ward, struck
up the National Anthem, followed by " Rule Britannia."
The wind blew just in her face as gallantly she steamed
toward, the mouth of the harbour, and when just opposite
the buoy the steamer was timed, it being just 11.30
Taking a graceful sweep to the left, she unthe • cruise
round the bay, alter which her head was put towards West
Eul worth. Presently full steam was put on, and she
ploughed the deep in dashing style. Her massive propor-
tions are such that when she got out into the open sea not
the least rolling motion wee felt, and one could alma
fancy you were standing on Irma Aran To show her
rate of silted it may be BMW that, alter a 40 minutes' run,
West Luiworth was reached. Here the new patent land-
ing apparatus was fully tested, and It was considered by
many precut most effective,. After a stay of some
quarter of on hour, the Empress left the cove with her
bop,: pointed towards Portland. Luncheon had been
in the grand saloon by Km- Bowline, the
stewardess, after the enjoyment of which the vowel then
steamed on ha homeward cruise at the rate of 16 miles
per hour, proceeding through the opening in the Portland
Breakwater and arriving at the pier at 2.10, the trial
being satisfactory and the trip • roost enjoyable one.
The following particulars were handed by Mr. Fowler
to the reporters :
The builders' and engineers' official trial trip took
place on the Thames on the 15th null. under the tanned'.
at. superintendence of Mr. fiseauds. M.P., the builder,
Kr. John Penn. the engineer, and the Board of Trade
staff, Mr. Fowler, the manage of the company, being
Meant to represent the interests cr the owners. When
put upon the measured mile the meth draught of water
was aft. 3in- The performances of the engines and the
speed obtained were as follows :
Mean pressure. 2911).
Vacuum, Wh-
Equal 4.:1 biota
Revolutions, Time per ama.
First ran down river ... 51 5' 6 111103
Second run up river 111611
Third run down river 61 450 12414
Fourth run up river hit 4'27 L1'48:1

•
"The wiehlushehiti and completion of the vessel
deserve every praim to the builder; and whilst the Meals
and boiler as uaual not only bear the impress "Jolts Penn
end Sois," but also diaplay their world-wide reputation for
a style which bus given to them a name at the head of the
eetir• engittttno wiel& and we certainly roof raw t.
the cosoP.Y . Muiug their machinery above suspicion
by employing such a first-class firm to supply tiles,' from
time to time. The lemon evidently bas beau well learnt.
as John Penn conatructed the eageooo of the company's
Ant "Mauler mil ham contlaued their
~consulting aud
practical eniticiese 1.0 the present time.
We wileghosepraisuaucoras to this new enterpries, for should
Cases and CO. t•d) be Prosperous this roam Unions
Biwa W the satire tom