The Daily Times.
Liverpool, Merseyside, England, 1860-08-20 00:00:00

LAUNCH OF THE AGNES NAPIER.

On Saturday morning last, at the yard of the eminent
ship-builders, Messrs. Laird, of Birkenhead, the Agnes
Napier, a beautiful steamer, intended for the Liverpool
and Rhyl trade, in connection with the Vale of Clwyd
Railway, was launched in the presence of a large num-
ber of ladies and gentlemen from the principality. The
steamer has been named after the daughter of the
owner, Mr. Napier. The ceremony of christening was
performed by Mrs. Napier, amidst much rejoicing,
despite the torrents of rain which fell at the time.
Erected from the model of the Countess of Ellesmere--
whose astonishingly quick passages between Liverpool
and Runcorn claimed for her the fame of being the
fastest vessel entering the Mersey, and induced the Grand
Duke Constantine of Russia to make her his yacht
—the Agnes Napier has the further advantage of having
been formed on the plan of a steamer built by Messrs-
Laird for North America, and called the Inca, which
has accomplished passages at an average rate of twelve
knots an hour, burning only eight tons of coal in twenty-
four hours. She is 180 feet long, 22 feet beam, draws,
4 feet.of water ; measures 400 tons, and her engin"
made at the same yard, is of 100 bone power. Tilting
all things into consideration there can be no doubt that
she will fully realise the ardent expectations of her
builders and owner. After the ceremony, the party
spent half an hour or more in inspecting the works, and
then repaired to the office to partake of an excellent
luncheon. Efere a little difficulty was experienced, for
the room and the table were not large enough to tiooom-
modate comfortably the guests, some being under the
necessity of standing whilst doing justice to the rich
store of eatables and drinkables provided,
Mr. Laird occupied the chair.
" The Queen " and " the Army and Nary " were
toasted, the latter being coupled with the name of
Capt. CHAMBRES, of the Wallasey Volunteers, who,
in responding to the toast, referred to the state of the
army, the navy, and the volunteers ; and briefly traced
the history of Rhyl since the time when there were
only two cottages there,—and remarked that he believed
it. would ultimately be the great highway to Dublin, to
aolyhead, to London, and other important places in the
kingdom.
The. CHAlnstazi proposed "the health of the Agnes
Napier, and Mrs. Napier, who christened her," paying
a compliment to Mr. Napier, who, he said, had done
much towards developing the trade of Rhyl and Den-
bigh. Ife trusted that the steamer would maintain the
credit of the river, and not disappoint the just expec-
tations of the owner and his friends.
Mr. Newun responded, concluding
_ by proposing
long life and prosperity of the firm of Messrs. Laird.
The CIiAIRMAN returned thanks, and proposed Mr.
Gardner, of Manchester, •to whom he paid a gratifying
tribute of respect in his connection with the principality,
The toast was drunk with three cheers.
Mr. Gardner reponded.
The Shareholders of the Vale of Clwyd Railway, the
Provisional Directors of the Denbigh and araer;
Railway, and the Ladies were subsequently toasted, and
the proceedings terminated.