The mountain sentinel. [volume] (Ebensburg, Pa.) 1844-1853, 1853-02-03

ing the spar-deck, the absence of any crank
matches, and clear deck for two hundred feet
on each side of the deck house attract the eye,
The berth-deck likewise presents an uubroken
line, with state-rooms along the entire ship, and
passages between the fore and aft saloons on
both sides.
AS model of naval architecture, there is not
a vessel in our splendid merchant marine that
can compete with the Ericsson for graceful pro-
portions and symmetry of build. All who have
seen her concur in the expression Of admiration
Of this beautiful ship, and in their opinion Of
her superior sailing qualities, independent of
any aid from her machinery.
For obvious reasons, those interested in the
undertaking have observed great caution and
jealousy to prevent any knowledge of the con
struction of her machinery, &C., from getting
abroad. To guard against this, portions of it
were made at various places-New York, Phila-
delphia, West Point, &C., from plans and speci-
fcations furnished by the inventor. So perfect
and true were his calculations, that every piece
of the machinery thus made, fitted in with the
utmost cxactitude, SO that, to give the language
of one of the persons engaged in it, a sheet OF
tissue paper could not be put in between the
joints. This circumstance, in itself, speaks
well for the great engineering skill of its con-
structor. The same jealous caution was obser-
we'd III permitting strangers on board. The ex-
clusion of all outsiders has been very rigidly en-
forced, so that the hundreds whose curiosity
brought them to visit her we're forced to content
with distant inspection. Thus, up
to the present time, no correct description OF
her has appeared in type; and we therefore
feel confident that that which we now present to
our readers in relation to this remarkable vessel
will be read with an interest proportonate to
the invention, of which the Ericsson is the first
embodiment.
Let the reader, therefore, accompany us as
we are chaperoned throughout the ship by her
gallant and polite commander, Capt A B. Low
her. to whose ability and experience navi-
gator she has been well confded.
Let me first show yon, says our guide, the
freight deck, and then we will ascend and exam
inc her. in detail To the freight deck, there
FORE we descended, and were pointed out its Ca
pacity, extending it does some 260 feet. 1t
is entirely free from obstruction Of every
kind, excepting only space along the middle,
which contains the cylinder, enclosed within
strong bulk heads. None of its room is to be
devoted as in steamers, to the carrying of coal
which is slowed away in sufficient quantity each
side of the engine 1t is calculated thus to car
ry 400 tons of teas, or other light merchan-
disc or, if engaged in the Australia or Cali
fornia trade, it is well adapted for accommoda-
ting some four or five hundred passengers. A
ventilator on a new principle, and connected
with the machinery, extends to this deck
About midships there is sort of square en-
closure, which, we learned, communicated only
with the main deck, and which has been fitted |
up for female servants of cabin passengers
This is great improvement on the present
plan, which makes little no provision for this
class of travellers. We found this room neatly
and comfortable furnished, with twelve or four
teen berths, and conveniences for bandboxes and
the various ct ceteras of waiting women.
From the freight deck we ascend by wide
stairway to the main deck. This is occupied
from stem to stern by sixty state rooms; those
in the aft cabin fitted up with two berths each,
and those in the forward cabin with three. We
the latter portion first, and were struck
with the elegance and taste with which it was
fitted up. We were Immediately reminded OF
the motto, which we saw in a conspicuous posi-
ton on the -''Everything in its place;
and place for everything we felt the
conviction that this maxim was not lost sight of
in the construction and fitting mp of the ship.
The state rooms communicate direct with the
saloon by gothic arched door, which opens ON
every two rooms. They are richly carpeted'
and are lighted by day with deck and side lights,
and by night with three-sided lamp, so fitted
in the panelfing as to furnish light at the same
time to two rooms and the saloon. These lamps
are provided with alock, and are to be in charge
of one of the employees. The berths are hand
somely fitted up the mattresses are composed
of the best curled hair 4; and the bed-clothe
are also of the whitest and finest texture, and
morled with the word Ericsson in red letters.
A marble slab wash-basin and appurtenances
belong to each room and on the side opposite
the berths is sort of day sofa, which answers
the very necessary use of receptacle for soil
ed clothes and boots. A small bronzed framed
mirror, with pivot which permits it to be turn
ed in every direction, completes the furniture OF
these apartments We must not forget to men
ton that fine room is also fitted up here for
the accommodation of the walters connected
with the vessel who are obliged on other ships
to stow themselves away under the tables and