New-York daily tribune. [volume] (New-York [N.Y.]) 1842-1866, 1853-05-19
The Great Pleasure Trip-saling of the Steam Yacht


North Star.
Commodore VANDERBILT's yacht is advertised 10 sau
this day for Europe We gave months since an out
line Of this magnificent expedition and have from time 10
time recorded the progress Of the preparations Cornelius
Vanderblt-more generally known because Of his extern
sve interest in steam navigation, as Commodore
native of Staten Island and is something more than
fifty five years old.
At an early age says The Illustrated Ners, he showed
fopdness for the sea and took great interest in the ship
ping While very young man he became owner OF a
finely rugged sailing vessel that he run regularly between
Staten Island and New York As early as 1920 he had the
command of steamboat of which he part owner He
became noted of the most enttprsng and fortunate
steamboat captains of the time. From captain he became
owner of not only but several steamers and up
the practical part Of navigation to attend TO bis property
interests For many years he has been the largest owner
of entirely his ownwthOut partnershps-prob
ably Of any man in the world lie is proprietor of over
twenty steamers half Of which are ocean steamships
Of the largest class principally in the California trade All
the vast trading and travelling interest that carried on be-
tween New FORK ard California under great obligations
TO Mr. Vanderbilt for opening the route to the Pacific
bv way of Lake Nicaragua lie built steamer of some
800 tun. burden took it Of large steamship, went
to San Juan took the river and there no runs on
Nicaragua Lake the first steamer that ever blew whistle
70 rhten the wild birds and astoni,h the natives in the
wlds Of Central America
MrVanderbha has entirely the architect Of his own
fortunes Amassing wealth, he has, at the same
time made the fortune of hous ands of others lie is now
large proprietor of manufacturing and engine building es
Adjustments He probably gives employment to more hands
han any other in America He always libersto
ward the poor and needy Many good anecdoe IS told of
his benevolence. man who had been in his employment
for some years died leaving the of $500 in specie His
widow went TO Mr. Vanderbilt and begged that he would
take the money, H. and allow her interest on IT. lie
Ia ha bad To
sisted on his taking this lie turned to his and told
bm 10 give her his note interest and that evening he
took the ba Of specie home and gave to his wife for pin
money remarkng his better half he threw the money
in her lap that if she took half the pleasure in spending
that money which the did in earning H. she would
enjoy it.
without being an engineer he is probably the best
udge of ngne of any of New York. He in
bered nothing except business talents of the hges order
and per evelng bold and independent spirit that over
came every obstacle Cool and sagacOus never seeming
in hurry he will accomplish more business IN the same
time than almost any that appears on change From
being deck hand a schooner he has risen in wealth
the possess0r of millions, and now owns steamers that
would be sufficient to blockade nearly every port in Eu
rope lie has accomplished everything for himself with
out the patronage of Government the protection o
charters His ability is equaed by his modesy quiet and
upassumng acting part to make himself consPcu-
Gus His last operation though, will make him known the
world over His yacht, the North Star will eclipse
everything of the kind aiioat.
This magnificent specimen of American Naval Architec-
ture was built expressly for the pleasure excursion com
mencing today by Mr.. Smonson under the immediate
superyison of Mr. Vanderbilt She is two hundred and
sixty feet on the keel hundred and seventy feet on the
spadeck thirty eight breadth of BEAM thirteen feet from
aoor timber 10 lower beams feet eight inches
between decks seven feet six inches between main and
decks making her whole depth twentyegh feet SIX
inches Her keel Of white oak Is - inches sided by Il in
obe wide stem and posts of the same material with
double aprons and inner posts of live OAK boed through
with copper bolts deadwoods of white oak and 10 in
ches through fastened with inch copper bolts, IN the
most substantial manner The floor tmbers sided -
inches and moulded il che being placed close together
and boed through sideways with II inch bolts The main
nelson's of which there 1--WE extending the entire
length of the ship of white oak sided - inches by %
inches deep the first tier being fastened with two copper
bolts inches IN dian through every h0or timber the
upper tiers secured TO the lower one with large iron bolts
The bed upon which the engine rests composed OF four
rows of kesons, feet inches by feet deep secured by
iron screw bolts driven from the bottom before the vessel
was thanked The outside planking of white oak
three and halt inches thick, increasing 20 five inches
secured with copper bolts and locust trenais, there
being 30 600 of the latter driven through and wedged upon
both sides There six bge sreaks on the inside OF the
ship covering the floor heads and uttocks l2x4 inches
fastened to the tmbers with iron bolts and oo,ed edge
laws between every frame The ceiling Is OF SIX inch vel
low pine and boed the manner as the bge streak
forming one substantial mass of timber IA feet IN depth
The lower deck clamps which the beams rest, are
inches thick thoroughly fastened with IRON bolts driven
from the outside and rveted the inside There are 10
deck beams in the lower deck with carnes between sided
Is inches and moulded Ii inches with lodging and bosom
knees of white OAK and large hanging knee on each end
The water ways the top of the lower deck are composed
nj three pieces extending the whole length Of the ship
tborouohv bolted making this deck sufficiently strong to
stand sny reasonable strain. The clamps to support the
main deck are Of yellow pine inches thick and "a inches
5e Of two widths This deck is securely kneed IN the
same manner as the lower The ssnchons which ex-
tend from the floor mbers 10 the lower deck beams have
large bolt passing through them and continued on to
the upper decks thus connecting the deck with the bottom
of the shin The lower and main deck plank OF white
pine by inches the upper spar deck extending the
entire lens tn of the ship Her machinery from the Aae
| Works She is propelled by two lever beam engines
cylinders 90 inches length of stroke 10 feet diameter OF
wheels feet Her boilers of which she has four are "a
feet long 10 feet diameter, feet 'front.' II feet high with
| single return fueS.
The main saloon is splenddly fitted up with all that can
tend TO crafty the eye and minister to luxurious ease The
state rooms which lead from it, either side tted up
In the inst style Of the uphosterers art The furniture
throughout blends IN harmonious whole there are
none OF those glazing contrasts which too often met
with and offend the eye and taste by their ncongrutes
This saloon Is OF beautiful sstinwoOd with just sufficient
rosewood to relieve 1.-THE work Of which was executed
| by Mr. Charles Simonson.
The cabinet furn'are and upholstery were furnished
from the extensive estab shment CT Messrs. j. j. w
Meeks The furniture of the main saloon is of rosewood
carved in the rich and splendid style Of Louis XIV covered
with new and elegant material of figured velvet plush.
with green ground. filed with boquets of flowers. 1t
consists Of two sofas cost $3.50 each four couches $500