Washington sentinel., 1856-04-10


and other Streets proceeded into the middle of
the river, where all had an unobstructed view
of the launch. While all eyes were eagerly
bent on the magnificent structure, the archi-
tect, of whose genius she is one of the most
beautiful creations, and who, eight or ten years
ago was poor, struggling, unnoticed me-
chanic, George Steers the now worldrenown-
ed yacht and shipbuilder, was busy among his
workmen, experimenting the preparations.
This was the crowning moment of all his pre-
vious efforts, and although his heart must have
swelled with Just, manly PRIDE at the noble
vessel before him. and the feeling that it was
the work of his skill and genius that had at
tracted that almost countless crowd of human
beings together, there was nothing in his man
ner by which he could be distinguished from
those by whom he was surrounded, if we ex-
cept that modest bearing which is the charac-
teristc of true genius and merit.
"While waiting for the launch of the Adri-
atic the spectators were treated to another,
which to the great majority was entirely unex-
pected but which was, therefore, no less sur
prise, and pleasing one. Without the least
notice or warning, except that given by the ex-
element among a portion of the crowd, the
Cuba, which was built in the yard of Mr.. Webb,
was observed sliding from the stocks, and in a
into the middle Of The river, where she was
brought to by her anchors. The Cuba is about
| 1000 tons burden, and is intended BY her ow-
ner Mr. b. Banco, for the South American
trade.
"Before launching the Adriatc, it was con-
| sidered necessary to remove the Grapeshot and
the St. Louis, which lay alongside the piers
that extend out on each side of the shpyard.
| This however, took but few minutes, and by
| ii o'clock she had a clear and unobstructed
| way before her out into the river. Soon after
the workn who looked like SO many pig
mics beside the gigantic hull, commenced split
ting up the blocks which afforded her partial
support, and the removal of which was neces
sary to let her down upon her ways. This
work was soon performed-the last block was
removed, silence like that of the grave held
the vast multitude breathless; the huge and
inanmate but graceful structure appeared at
| the moment as if instinct with life, moving
slowly at first, but with increased speed as she
touched the water she swept out into the river
with a grace and majesty of motion that we
have never seen equalled at any launch. Moth
ing could exceed the enthusiasm with which
she was greeted; cheer after cheer burst from
the joyous crowd; every man, woman and
child there felt as if he had direct interest in
her success, and could not have been more
pleased if they were to have share in the
! profits of her. The ladies waved their hand
kerchiefs and the men threw up their hats for
| joy who talks of failure after that? said
one man, in the exuerance of his feeling i
tell you, she'll take everything down that floats,
| he added, with an air of triumph and it is al
most needless to say that every one within
hearing agreed with him. But the Adriatic
| is now half way across the river, and there ap-
pears to be no diminution in her speed. Her
starboard anchor was let 20, but it presented
| no perceptib!e resistance to her progress. She
was now rapidly nearing williamsburg when
the larboard anchor was dropped, but not in
time to prevent her striking one of the piers
Hardly minute elapsed, after the second an
chor touched the water, before she struck the
pier, running into it four or FIVE feet, and
knocking the timbers into splinters. The only
damage done, however, was to the pier, the
stern having escaped uninjured, with the ex-
ception of few scratches to the copper sheath
ing. The shock produced by her coming in
contact with the pier was so light, that it was
hardly felt by those on board. Soon after the
steamtug Titan was alongside ready to tow her
| to the Balance Dry Dock, on which she is TO
be coppered.
| "Ihe Adriatic dIes not appear to be so large
as she really is, but this is attributable to the
faultlessness Of her model, and the perfect sym
metry Of all her parts. Naval architects and
nautical men are in raptures with the beauty
Of her lines, and predict that she will be without
an equal in point of speed. She is, as we
have said, the largest steamship ever built in
this country, and is at present the largest vessel
constructed of wood in the world. The Persia
is longer, but it viii be remembered that she
is an iron steamer. The Adria,ic is 35i feet in
L =. IL Ill. 40
inches depth Of hole, and registers 5,S88 tons
custom-house measurement. She is 10 have
two osclating engines, of two thousand actual
horse power each; /; l0O,inch cylinders, with u
feet stroke. She will have eight tubular boilers,
low pressure, and about 30 pounds to the
square inch. She will also have eight water
| tight compartments these are TO be con-
structed Of solid oak planks, three inches thick,
placed diagonally against each other, with
layers Of pitch and felt between them, making
a total thickness of six inches, and shored in
the most substantial manner. She is to be
brig rugged, and, and like the other steamers oi
the Collins line, is without bowsprit. Her
anchors weigh 1000 pounds each.
"The machinery, considerable portion Of
which is already finished, viii be made by Still.
man 4 Allen, of the Novelty Works, and will
be all put up in four months, so that the first
trial trip Will take place about the beginning o
August next When completed and ready for
sea, the Adriatic will have cost about $3.50, 900
Some idea Of the dimensions Of the Adratic
can be formed from the following comparative
table, giving the relative sizes Of the largest
vessels afoat:
Carpenters Measnrsment
| Length Tonnage
/ Adriatic, steamship ip................3 .354 5SSS
Great Republic, clipper ship. 300 $3.50
Niagara, u. s. stca n frigate. 5000
| Pennsylvania, U. s. line OF battle ship 440C
| Cornelius Vanderbilt, steamship .235 SLOT
Great Republic, rebuilt. ...........3 300 3,30t
| Persia, British b steamship. .........3 800 5000
Atlantic, steamship. p................2S7 3OOC
| Great Brian, British steamship -. $50 $500
Himalaya, British steamship. $50 $500
"Among other appliances Of safety, the Ad
ratio will be furnished with one Of Professor
: j . -.