The New York herald., 1869-12-26
DESCRIPTION AND HISTORY or The METEOR.

DESCRIPTION AND HISTORY OF The METEOR.
The news confirming the loss OF the yacht Meteor
will be read with deep regret by all who feel an lnte
rest in American yachting. She was wrecked near
Tunis Algers, on the 18th inst, as the above de-
spatch informs us.
HER DIMENSIONS.
The Meteor built at the shipyard OF Messrs. G.
r. Poiiion, at the foot of Bridgelsreet Brooklyn,
under the superintendence OF Captain Roger Fish,
by whom she was modelled for her late owner, Mr..
George i. Loriliard. on Tuesday, Aprn I, OF the
present year, she was launched with success and
soon after was prepared for her trip TO
sea. The dimensions OF the Meteor and the
material OF her construction, with other points
OF interest were as follows:-Length on deck, 12o
feet; length ALL 1870 feet; breadth Of beam, 81
feet; depth OF hold feet inches tonnage (carpen-
ter's measurementl, about 800 tons. Her keel had
depth OF feet amidships and her draught OF water
was about 10 feet inches Her hull was built OF
white oak, locust and hackmatack, which was
fastened below the water line with copper bolts and
tieenais ana above by galvanized iron. She probably
contained more timber than any yacht OF her size
having the matter or speed In view-that has ever
been constructed In these waters. She was boomed'
kneed, and every beam had hanging knees, while
from her deck were stanchons TO every frame. The
SparS Oi yaCnt were very HeaVy, 6oOu
ing sucks, the oremast being IS feet and the main
mast 90 feet The main boom was "a feet in length
the fore boom 80 feet and the bowsprl 30 feet out
board The rake OF the masts were Of IA feet, and
they were placed the foremost 40 feet from the
stem, the main AZ feet fom the stern, and apart "a
feet. The accommodations OF the Meteor were not
only unusually extensive and wel designed but
extremely luxurious, possessing all the appurte-
nances that could contribute TO ease and comfort
She had TWO splendid cabins one amidships, quite
large. and one aft. together with an elegant private
saloon. The companion way was forward and her
staterooms were ample, cheerful and pleasant.
RIGGING AND FITTINGS.
The rigging OF the Meteor was Of the best Italian
hemp. She had three shrouds forward and four aft.
She was rgged heavy and strong, all her headstays
being OF wire. She was lifted out with a complete
suit OF sails OF every description. In her external
as wen as Internal fitting up and arrangements the
Meteor presented remarkably strong and handsome
appearance. The top rnii ana companion ways
were OF mahogany. The design OF her cabins
was beautifully chaste, the wood work being Of
notified and veneered mahogany, amaranth, oak,
ash. wart black walnut and hard maple. The
pleasing effect produced by these woods was
heightened by chasley designed and beautifully
colored tiles, novel feature In this kind OF decora
ton. She was, as might be supposed, furnished
elegantly throughout, though by no means gaudily,
excellent taste being displayed IN all her appoint
mentS. Everything that ample means could obtain
to make her outnt as complete as possible was had
No more thoroughly constructed and appointed
yacht mas left the harbor OF New York.
THE TRIAL TRIP.
Late in June the Meteor left New YORK in com.
pany with the Sappho for Newport on a trial trip.
Although she encountered a severe squaH and very
ria made
Meteor demonstrating her capacity in almost every
particular. On the day following their arrival at
Newport both yachts started their return to New
YORK. favorable breeze was blowing and they
were enabled leave the harbor In splendid style,
attracting considerable attention from all who
witnessed the departure. To the lightshp the
Meteor led and kept the lead until two O'Clock
on the dsy following, when she parted company
with the SapphO at Fire Island. At the time dense
fog prevailed which was subsequently, attended by 9
sauall, In which latter the Sappho had her mantop
mast carried away when some four miles from
Sandy Hook. The Meteor arrived In safety and an
chorcd In Gowauus Bay. While this trip did not de-
velop remarkable speed 1t fairly demonstrated that
the yacht was very swfs. that she was IN every re-
spect stanch and seaworthy and could be relied
upon.
OPINIONS REGARDING THE YACHT.
II is only fair to here state that soon after her
completion the Meteor was made the subject OF
much criticism IN yachting circles. Her ruodeler
Mr. Fish, was attacked In the press BY "a Devoted
Yachtman" and others, who insisted that the yacht
woufd never attain the speed claimed for her. She
had built with special view To great swiftness
and her hull, from stem TO stern was different from
all other craft OF her sze But in spite OF the gloomy
predictions indulged In regarding her sailing quail
ties her owner Mr.. Lorillard, expressed himself per-
fectly satisfied with his yacht, and prepared
match her in an ocean race for $4,000 against any
yacht In the world.
VOYAGE ROUND THE WORLD.
on August II the Meteor left ner anchorage on
voyage to Europe and thence round the world by way
or the Mediterranean, the Suez Canal, the Red Sea,
round the south OF Asia to China and japan, and
thence across the Pacific to San Francisco. 1t was
designed that the voyage should be made leisureiy,
Mr. Loriiard proposing to sojOurn for some time Mt
nearly all the points touched. Preparations had
accordingly been made for an absence OF three
years Az the time the indications were that we
would have an International ocean yacht race in
wincn IL was Mr. Loriards purpose 10 be a contest
ant. He was opposed to Q short race around the
Isle OF Wight because OF the course aGording bat
little opportunity for the display OF sailing qualities
Falling a race with the English yachts, the
Meteor was held ready for match across We At
lantic against either the Dauntless Sappho, or
both.
EN- ROUTE.
From various causes the Meteor dh not properly
start ON her voyage until August 20. 10 was sup
posed that she would sail direct for Cowes and as
days passed without any intelligence Of her
transmitting by the ocean cable uneaslness was
felt for her safety. on the sth Of September, how.
ever, adyices from Bermuda announced her arrival
at 81. GEORGE that island, on August "a, between
one and two O'Clock IN che afternoon. she having
made the trip from her anchorage or the club house
Staten Island, in something less than three days and
half On the Thursday following she departed and
In due time reached Cowes. After visiting various
other points she reached Malta on the Sd inst from
Tunis, and was expected TO leave Immediately for
Alexandria and the Suoz Canal This Intelligence
OF her movements was conveyed in letter received