The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1847-01-31
Ocean Steam Nevfgstion-The Launch or
the Steamship Washington.

The stupendous and magnificent Washington
was launched yesterday morning, at the APP
pointed hour, from the yard of Messrs Weser-
welt and Mckay
The concourse OF people, of both sexes, assem-
bled on the occasion, and the enthusiasm mani
tested, Were greater than we ever remember to
have witnessed on any similar event There
could not have been less than fifteen thousand
persons present
The excitement which her first movement crea-
ted, is perfectly ndescrbable. Statutes were
fired from various points, both in Willlamsburgh
and in the city, and were answered by the Span
! ish steamer Leon which vessel kept up con.
/ tinua booming from the moment the W. touched
her legitimate element, until she was moored at
the wharf. To all this were added the merry peals
of the bells Of a large number of steamboats, ly-
ing in the vicinity, and the vociferous and deaf
ening cheers OF the immense multitude.
The scene was brilliant in the extreme no.
thing could surpass the enthusiasm of the crowd,
which fact is an undeniabe proof of the interest
this important affair has created, while it evnces
Jus' appreciation of an enterprise which is to
establish beyond cavil the reputation Of the Anne
rican mechanics the best and most skiful in
the world; and which is destined to work won
dertul revolution in all branches of commerce.
The Washington is now the largest merchant
steamer afioat in the world, and with justice we
may add, the most complete and beautiful ever
constructed In the words of Commodore Perry,
who was present at the launch, she is credit to
the country she halls from and will, we trust,
for years to come, prove herself to be profta-
BILE as she is beautiful and creditabe to the
originators of the noble enterprise.
This steamer was constructed under the super
vision OF Mr.. Mills and the builders, Messrs
Westervelt and Mckay, as the pioneer OF the
line designed to ruH between this city and Bre-
men, touching at Cowes. Her frame is Of white
oak, carefully selected, and put together with a
view to strength as well as neatness. The lines
of her model slightly rounded, sharp bow,
clean run, and gentle swell in the sides; the
whole form is exceedingly neat and harmonious.
The planking on the outside is inches on the
bottom running up to six on the sides; the ciel.
ing on the inside is of yellow pine, to inches
thick. She has seven nelson's, four Of which are
placed mdships, for the support OF the engines,
and are SO inches by feet inches high, iasten-
ed through the floor with screw bolts. Every
piece of timber used is in its natural state,
and fastened with powerful copper and
iron bolts. The length of keel 22O feet, length oil
upper deck, 24O feet, extreme length over all 260
feet breadth of beam moulded, 80 feet; depth of
hold 81 feet; on the outside, 40 feet; Custom-house
measurement, 1850 tons; carpenters measure
ment, 1850 tons; she has four decks, the upper
one will be flush fore and aft.
She is to be fitted with two engines each OF
1000 horse POWER They now ready to 60 in,
and are said to be equal, if not superior to any
thing of the kind now in use. They were built by
ard e at
Works, who have pledged themselves to produce
engines that cannot be surpassed. The capacity
of the cylinders is ~ inch, with ten feet stroke,
and weigh 10000 pounds each of the bed
plates, which are of cast iron, weighs 40 600
pounds she has anentire wroughtron frame; four
cranks and shafts, each weighing 5000 pounds
the shafts are 20 inches in diameter, and Is
inches in the journals. The boilers have 16 feet
front, 36 feet long, and are braced in every square
foot. The whole will be 40 feet in diameter.
The cabins, which are designed to accommodate
200 FIRST and about IS second class passengers will
be fitted with large state rooms, each containing
two berths, placed On the inner bulk-head They
will be well ventilated and lighted by side-win-
dows, and with the usual headlights on deck.
The style of the finish of the main cabin, as well
as the embellishments of the whole INTERIOR will
De III a style OF superior eleSdIce anu Etoic~tle
decorations and finish being in imitation OF white
enamel and gold. There will be nothing
guady or superfluous in the arrangements
of the cabin; it will be simple and chaste, but
will possess every requisite for the comfort
and convenience of passengers every new inn
provement which may add tosthe convenience
of passengers, will be applied, without regard 10
price. The projectors are determined that the
Washington shall rank as "The Steamer In
point OF speed, comfort, and beauty So far, their
expectations are fully realized, and their great
aim accomplished.
The hull is painted black, with imitation port
holes. She is ornamented by the full length
figure of the great and good man whose name she
bears. She will carry three masts, and will
spread sufficient canvass to carry her through
every emergency.
Her freight capacities, and all the wants oil the
ship, including coal, SC, will be 600 tons She
will be commanded by Captain Hewitt, known
as the late able and gentle manly commander OF
the Havre packet ship Utica, and will leave on
her first VOYAGE about the first of