Wilmington daily commercial. [volume] (Wilmington, Del.) 1866-1877, 1872-04-23
THE CITY.


COMPLETION OF THE vRssEI,-HER DEPARTURE-A
SPLENDID FLOATING PALACE.
The iron side wheel steamer, OIL Dominion,
built by the Harlan & Holhngsworth Company,
for the Old Dominion Steamship Co., and which
was launched on the oath Of February, has been
completed and sailed for New York this morn
ing, to engage in the service Of the line. She
was built az consort to the Wydnoke, and su-
perlor as the accommodations and design Of that
vessel were regarded at that time, Il is now be-
lieved that they have been eclipsed In the float
ing palace which has just taken her departure.
The Old Dominion IL 265 feet long, Al feet
inches in beam, % feet inches in depth, and
with tonnage capacity OF abont 2,5OQ tons.
She is double decked vessel, with joiner deck
is schooner rigged with iron standing rigging OF
galvanized wire is built in four water-tight
compartments, aud is propelled by side wheels,
Of iron, 80 feet in diameter and Ill feet inches
in face. Her machinery consists OF two tubular
boilers, beam engine and cylinder 70 inches in
diameter and with IL feet stroke.
Great as is our admiration of the colossal pro-
portions and beautiful symmetry OF this vessel,
1t is measurably sunken in the rich luxuriance OF
its inner arrangements. The main saloon is lSn
90 feet and very handsome. Its sides are beau
tlfully paneled with satinwood ash, black walnut
and rosewood and rich velvet carpet covers
the floor, into which very pretty figures OF flow
era aie interviewer, ,mparting not only spectacle
gratifying to the visioD, but an air of comfort
aud luxury blending and harmoDizmg with each
other. The furniture is solid walnut, covered
with green plush In the rear Of this saloon
is ladies' b0ud1ir, pervaded by the same spirit
of elegance and beauty.
On either side of the main saloon are "a state
rooms, carpeted with rich brussels and provided
with complete toilet appurtenances. The beds
are made OF the Patent Felt, and the walnut
berths are draped with damask curtains Of green.
Snugly ensconced within these berths, the storm
tossed voyager may repose in calmness and Be-
curty, while the hurrying wind whistles through
the rigging and the sea dashes angry billowt
against the speeding craft
In the front part of the main saloon rises q
stairway which leads to an upper saloon, the tioOl
of which is also carpeted with velvet, and around
which are arranged 10 state rooms, similar tC
those already described except in the richness
of their furniture. Here are also two state rooms
for bridal parties, which surpass in Hplendor ever
the main saloon. The floor is carpeted with vel
vet the sides paneled in satin wood, black walnut
and rosewood the furniture all solid walnut, anC
the windows curtained with rep and white Lace
These and all the other state rooms are heated
by steam pipes and are well lighted and yentilat
ed.
We must not forget to mention an exquisite
oil painting, by Sergeant, which hangs at the
head Of the stairway in the upper saloon. One
of the colonial seals Of the Old Dominion state
stands out in bold relief in the painting. whilI
| in the dim distance on either side, may be Peer
| the Rip Raps and Hampton Roads with its blue
waters thickly studded with fleet Of sail yes
sells. The painting is intended to represent Vir
ginia in olden times and at the present
There are also 16 other state rooms on th'
| the joiner's deck, and among them the rooms TO
| the officers Of the vessel The captains apart
ments are in the rear Of the pilot house, and ar
superbly furnished. The storage passengers
| apartments are in the forward part Of the vessel
| and are divided into two large rooms, approached
| by separate stairways. one for males, the othe
for females. The bar, barber shop and readiDl
room are all built in conjunction with eacl
other and just in the rear OF the captains apart
ments.
The first deck and hold of the vessel are de
| voted exclusively to the storage Of freight
| and the accommodations seem ample. At eac
| hatch, steam elevators are placed to assist il
loading and discharging the cargoes. The ves
sci is also provided with a steam safety appara
tus to be used in case of fire.
The Old Dominion will accommodate 105 first
class, and so second class, passengers.
This noble craft is manned by the followin
gentlemanly officers, to several Of whom we ar
under many obligations Captain, Henry Bourne
Chief Officer, Samuel Lawrence; Second Officer
- Hulphus; Chief Engineer, G.. v. sloat
Second Engineer, b. f. Gildersleeve; Seeon
Assistant Engineer, N. b. Underhill Chic
Steward, J. O. Booth; purser, W. W. Caldwell