The workingman's advocate. [volume] (Chicago [Ill.]) 1864-1877, 1873-12-06
THE ANCHOR LINE.


From the North British Daily Mail
"A large company of ladies and gentle
men, principally from Glasgow, assembled
on Saturday, Nov. 9Th, at 2 O'Clock, in
the shipbuilding yard Of Messrs. r. Dun
can & Co, Port Glasgow, to witness the
launch of the largest steamer ever built in
t-GlasgOw Every arrangement hav-
ing been completed, shortly before high
water the senior partner Of the firm gave
the signal, and the Bolivia slowly moved
into the water amidst the cheers Of an i'm
mense assemblage, who lined the quays
and every point Of vantage ground. The
ceremony Of naming was gracefully per
formed by Miss Henderson, daughter Of
the senior managing owner. The Bolivia
is the largest and latest addition to the
world-famOus Anchor Line of Transatl&n-
tic steamers, and i Of the following d.
mansions Length, 400 feet breadth, 40
feet depth of hold, 80 feet, 200 tons
gross register. She has been built to the
highest class in Lloyd's and Liverpool In
derwriters' Registry. The fitting up Of
this steamer will be on a scale Of magnifi-
cence rarely attempted. The ladies' sa-
loon, entered from the main dack is lofty,
and is being most gorgeOusly decorated.
A new feature has been here introduced.
In the centre Of the floor is large open
ing communicating with the main saloon
below, around the sides of which richly
ornamented touches will be fitted in, the
roof being supported with light iron pill
lars covered with silverlzed metal, this cap
itals Of which will be richly cared and 9th.
erwlse Ornamented. At one end Of this
apartment a handsome Organ is to be
erected, and at the other extremity one Of
the finest Pianos will be placed. The main
saloon underneath is also to be fitted up
and decorated regardless Of expense. Ev-
erything that can be devised for the COM
fort and convenience Of passengers, has
been provided. The ventilation of both
saloons and sleeping berths has also been
carefully attended To, the side windows
being 50 constructed that even III rough
weather a free circulation Of air can be
constantly maintained. A somewhat nov
el construction for holding the lights, IN
the shape Of miniature lighthouse on
each side Of the vessel, is erected at each
end Of the bridge and bnlted ca the deck,
thus preventing accident that sometimes
occurs by the lights being washed away.
I The accommodation for passengers is
ample, there being space provided for 2UO
/ tirst-class, 100 second, and Sln steerage.
/ A new patent steering apparatus has also
been added, which Is worked NIth steam,
! from the bridge as well A. aft. Immedi-
ately after the launch the Bolivia was
| lowed to Glasgow to receive her machinery
which il being constructed for her by
Messrs. David, and Vim. Henderson 4
Co., Finnieston Steamship Works. A
singular coincidence in connection with
this vessel is worthy of notice. From the
same cradle, in April, 1872, the Comet,
the first steamship built on the Clyde, was
launched amidst the anxious hopes and
fears Of her protector. owner, and com
mander, Henry Bell. We cannot pass
over this without noticing the marvellous
strides that shipbuilding has taken since
those days. The Comet was a vessel of %
tons, 40 feet in length, with an engine Of
six horse power. Comparing this with
4, 200 tons, 400 feet in length, and engines
Of 600 horse power-the dimensions Of the
steamer launched to-day-we see that the
fondest dreams Of Jas. Watt, Jno. Wood,
and Henry Bell, have been more than re-
allied in the sixty years which have since
come and gone.
The magnificent steamer, Of which the
above is a short description, will soon be
running on the regular Anchor Line route,
between this country and Scotland, and is
expected to sail from New York early in
January. This is the sirth fine ship that
the Company has added to its feet within
ten months, the others being the Elysia,
Castalia, Italia, Victoria, California, all Of
which have proved to be favorite boats
with passengers and assisted to maintain
the high reputation Of the line - En-.