The Portland daily press., 1867-05-06

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TRIAL TRIP.-Thel steamer John Brooks.
which has been thoroughly refitted and fur
hished Tor the boston route, made her trial
trip Saturday, leaving Sturdivant's wharf at a
little after in the morning, running down to
the onter light and landing her passengers on.
returning at Atlantic wharf. The perform
ance OF the steamer was everything that could
be expected. She will prove one of the fastest
as well as one of the strongest and safest boats
that have ever sailed out of this harbor. % 75g
The John Brooks was built by the distin-
guisbed sea captain whose name she bears, and
was originally intended for freighting business
On Long Island Sound. She possesses in an
eminent degree the qualities of strength and
speed for that line of business. Her dimeu-
sions are 240 feet keel or 252 feet over all, "a
feet beam and II feet hold burthen, between
twelve or thirteen hundred tons, new measure
ment. Soon after her completion she was
chartered by the Government and employed as
a transport till the close of the war; 7oya 81
Since she came into the hands of Ter present
owners the Brooks has been-well, we may al
most say rebuilt. Everything about her is new.
except the hull. A new boiler was put into
her in New York. everything else has been
done here. The engine has been thoroughly
overhauled. Steam heating apparatus has
been introduced throughout,and an extra boiler
taken on board to furnish steam in port. Two
large gas tanks will supply artificial light. In
safety as well as convenience the substitution
OF gas and steam for lamps and stoves is great
gain. The danger of fire is also greatly dimin-
il he'd by the ample provision of water pipes
and hose, connected with a powerful steam
pump, so that in any part Of the vessel three
streams can be laid ON almost as soon as an
alarm is raised. The same machinery can of
course be used to pump, ship if she should
! spring aleak, and if the steam pump should
fail, there are hand pumps to fall back upon.
/ The saloon and cabins are finished and fur
nished with great care and elegance. The
Joiner work, in pine and mahogany has been
done BY Mr., John w. Sweat. The gliding has
been done by Mr.. James, T, Todd & Son, who
alse furnished the magnificent mirrors. Mr..
TODD, senior, nearly half century ago estab-
lished in this city a manufactory, of mirrors
and for gliding, He has not forgotten his handi-
craft, as the specimens of his skill in finishing
and furnishing this steamer will show. There
are 80 state rooms on the upper deck. Three
hundred passengers can be accommodated with
berths, and two hundred more can be provided
with comfortable cots. The state rooms for
ward are thrown into the middlespf the saloon.
which is not only better for the occupants in
rough weather, but has the additional eadvan-
| tage of malkingthe, saloon lighter and pleas
anter.s The furniture throughout the ship is of
black walnut and mahogany, upholstered with
green, and contrasting agreeably With the
white panels and gilt mouldings. Itis safe to
say that SO handsome; OF SO staunch boat as
the John Brooks never before sailed out of
Portland. alfah. D gaidaRei 10 Lod9en boog
/ The Brooks will be commanded by Capt
John j. Liscomb, whose seamanship and pru-
dence will contribute greatly to the peace of
mind of the underwriters. Mr.. Michael Hig.
gins well and favorably known to the travel
ling public, goes as Clerk. Mr.. w eedman, the
Steward, is as distinguished in his own depart
4 ment as his superior officers in theirs. The
| Brooks will be immediately put upon the route
| between this city and Boston, 1t is expected
| that her first trip will be announced early this
week 49, D't'e' $50 f'-@s--.,' g "a