New-York daily tribune. [volume] (New-York [N.Y.]) 1842-1866, 1851-05-26
LAUNCH oF THE CLIPPER SHIP CHAL

LAUNCH oF THE CLIPPER SHIP CHAL-
1RNoB-Thc launch Of this magnificent vessel took
place on Saturday afternoon, at Al o'clock. She
glded into the water amid the cheers OF thousands
who had congregaed to witness the launch The
Challenge was constructed for MeSSrs. \. l.. h G.
GriSwod, and is to be engaged in the California and
China trade. The following description Of her will
be read with interest, even by those who are not
directly interested IN naval architecture. The
whole aim of her builders has been 10 mako her
a model ship, both for strength and speed The
hanging knees, OF which there are over $50 IN the
ship average from to 10 inches IN thickness,
OF Chesapeake oak, and are each fastened
with IS iron inch bolts. The deck-knees numbering
$50 of pitch pine, ~ by IA inches, in the lower
and second deckS-SiX inches IN the upper deck The
WATERWAYS of the second and lower decks are form
cd OF three tiers OF large timber. all of ptchpine
b0ltod pependIcuary, latcray and dagonally-to
each other to the deck and to the frame-with this
iron bolts It IS difficult TO conceive OF any power
competent to rend them apart. Additional stability
is impaired to the decks by heavy locust stanchlons
supported by kneeS,) through the center Of which
ron bolts are extended from the lower 10 the
upper deck The frame is strengthened 10y diagonal
iron braces placed four feet apart and nl6rseciing
each other amidshp. Each bar is IS feet IA length,
iths of an inch thick, and runs from the fo0Cheai to
the upper deck.
All the top-tim5erS are Of live oak, also the cant
tlmbers At each end The ceiling and 5oitom-plank
and bige streaks inside which are nine inches thick
are OF Georgia pnch-pIne The walls, OF the same
material are six inches thick diminishing 10 meet the
thickness Of the bottom plank The transoms, apron
knght-heads, breast-hooks, &c are all Of live oak
The butt Of each plank is boed with copper, chncn-
ed inside and out and The whole are locust toe-na
fastened from plank shear to keel At lght-load
Inc the vessels side IS 20 inches IN thickness, from
the inside of ceiling 70 the outside Of plankIng-
Elncn feet OF solid timber interycnes between the
lower part of It's keel ana the upper surface Of the KEEL
sons The mainmast is three feet m diameter and
the and fore-yards = feet IN length and two
feet in diameter All are made" u being impossible
10 procure natural sticks Of the needed dimensions.
MastS or spars of this description are less liable TO
check than when formed from a single stick
The cabins are finished with OAK yeneerng, which
gives an appearance Of great sohGity She has d
large iron water tank SIX feet square which extends
from the floor to the upper deck TINT the unsghty
water casks that usually cucumber the decks of sail
ing vessels viii be dispensed with on board Of the
Challenge The builder has made an innovation up
former customs, by dispensing with the use Of salt
In the ntersuces Of the frame. Free passage IS left
for the air throughout the entire vessel, and It is
thought that this will prove to be great improvement
She Is the largest and aharpest merchant vessel
ever built, and II Is said that her model Is faulte,,
She VIII sail IN a short time FOR California, and those
who are capable of Judging, feel confident that sac
Will enter the Golden Gate three months after she
leaves this port.