The Sun.
London, England, 1866-09-26 00:00:00

Launch of the Transport Jumna.

At Jarrow, on Monday, was successfully launched
:he largest vessel ever built on the Tyne. It is now
a year and a half since the lines of the future Go-
vernment transport Jumna were laid down in
Messrs. Palmer's yard, the company having then
been successful in obtaining a contract from the
Admiralty to build the first of a new line of trans-
ports destined primarily for the East Indian ser-
vice. The dimensions of the Jumna are as follow :
—Length between perpendiculars, 360 feet ; ex-
treme length, 370 feet 51 inches; beam, 49 feet ;
depth moulded, 41 feet 11 inches. Tonnage, re-
gistered 4,173 25.91 --- by displacement, upwards
of 6,000 tons. The engines are of 700 horse-
power nominal. The proportions of the Jumna
are of the most graceful description, the elegance
and lightness imparted to so heavy a vessel
being wonderful. The bow is formed in a
swan-like curve, and the stern is ciccular and
lighted by windows. The hull is in 2G watertight
compartments, each having been tested to a pressure
of 24 pounds to the square inch. Every ~,ttention
has been paid by Mr. Reed, the Government archi-
tect, in the internal arrangements, to comfort, con-
venience, health, and ventilation. The launch took
place at 25 minutes to four o'clock. There was an
immense concourse of spectators present. Lady
Margaret Beaumont performed the ceremony of
christening, and the huge hull glided smoothly into
the water, being easily and skilfully brought up by
the moorings.
Subsequently a large company, comprising many
names well known in Parliamentary and commercial
circles, assembled to luncheon in the spacious
drawing loft of Messrs. Palmer's works. Mr. C. M.
Palmer occupied the chair, and was supported right
and left by the Right Hon. T. E. Headlam, M.P.,
Alderman Candlish, M.P., Sir M. W. Ridley, M.P.,
the Hon. 11. G. Liddell, M.P., Sir Hedworth Wil-
liamson, M.P., Mr. Wentworth B. Beaumont, M.P.,
and Mr. S. A. Beaumont.
The CHAIRMAN proposed " Success to the Jumna
and the health of Captain Mends,
.of the Royal
Navy." The line of which the Jumna was the
pioneer was one of an entirely new class of trans-
ports, in which special attention had been paid
to the comfort and accommodation of large bodies
of troops—such accommodation as was found neces-
sary in a case of emergency like that which re-
cently occurred when they were likely to be involved
in difficulties with the American nation. There was
always great anxiety attending the launch of vessels
of such huge dimensions, and it had been a source
of great pleasure to him to see the vessel go off so
well. Be was sorry the weather had been so un

fortunate, and he thought the gentlemen who had
come in spite of it were entitled to thanks for their
perseverance.

Captain MENDS, in responding, said that he had
never seen a launch so gracefully accomplished. There
was always a pleasure in witnessing such a sight,
but there were many special elements for gratifica-
tion in that they had just seen. The great advantage
and utility of the vessel to the service on which she
was to enter was an element of additional gratifica-
tion. The interchange of British troops between
Britain and India had occupied the attention of the
Government and the members of the Indian Coun-
cil for many years. lie had been appointed by the
Government to superintend the internal construc-
tion of transport ships, but the internal arrange-
ments was all he could lay claim to having given the
direction for, and he hoped he had given such at-

tuition to the subject for the last two years as to
have omitted nothing that would contribute to the
comfort of the troops and the efficiency of the ser-
vice. They should regard the soldier bound for
India as of commercial value, and it should be their

study to deliver him ou the shores of India in the

same condition as he was received into the transport

on leaving British soil. In giving instructions for

he construction of the ship he had paid special at-
,ention to the safety of the troops to be conveyed,

and had ordered on that account that she should

Lave a double bottom ; and it was further resolved,

the same reason, to divide the hull into water-
:ight compartments. Ile had also stipulated for a

fight draught of water and a speed of 14 knots,

which was a high rate considering the accommo-

dation required for the soldiers, their wives and
families. He was thoroughly satisfied that every

condition had been complied with.

The Right Hon. T. IfE&DLAm asked the assembly
,o drink a bumper to his friend, Mr. C. M. Palmer,

in congratulation of the great success of the day.
The toast was given amid loud and prolonged

cheering.
Mr. C. M. PALMER responded, thanking them for
the honour done to him.

Other toasts followed before the proceedings ter-
minated.

The Right Hon. W. E. Gladstone, M.P., and
Mrs. Gladstone have returned to their residence on Carlton-
house-terrace from Cliveden, after paying a visit to the
Duchess Dowager of Sutherland. The right hon. gentle-
man and Mrs. Gladstone and daughters leave towards the
elm of the week on a continental tour.