New-York tribune., 1874-07-08
PERFECTION IN SrEAMSHIP MAKING.

! ARRIVAL OF THE ELEGANP STAR STEAMER BRITAIN
NIC-sTRIKING PECULIARITIEs or CONsIAUC-
TION-THE OCEAN CROSSED IN SEVEN DAYS AND
NINETEEN HOURS.
The perfection to which modern shipbuild-
have carried their is forcbly sraied IN the
new White star steamship Britannia which reached TINS
port Saturday last. Brief descriptions of the new
steamship have published but 1t ia not until the
vessel has been thoroughly and carefully studied that
an adequate idea OF aud novel features
had. The steamer, which is lying at her dock at
pier No. 81 ~ r.. inspected yesterday afternoon by
Mr.. Ismay OF the firm OF Isnay Imre Co, the owners
of the White Star Le ir C0rti. the agentin TINS city,
Capt w. II. Thompson, the Commander OF the Britain
and Commodore of the White star Line and Others
The Britannia is the largest and hnest steamship in
the White star fleet she was built at Belfast Ireland
by Messr Harand WoIf In January last the vessel
was launched the work OF completion has been pushed
forward as rapidly consistent with perfect
horoughucss and safety she is 472 feet length with
feet breadth of BEAM and 80 feet depth of hold Her
registered + 3i0 tons aud her total carrying
capacity The britannia is th rciOrc 1OJJ
tons larger than the Oeanic au other earlier vessels IN
feet larger than the Adratic and Celtic
Her breadth beam greater by four feet lnln tnat of
her sister vessels. She furnished with compound en-
gines manufact by MauIslcy London.
TIcy Of 7GO nominal horse oowcr and her trial
trip were worked up to 5000 horsepower. There are
two pairs OF cylinders with diameter Of 4S and 50
The eight boilers Of peculiar cOnsructon being
opened and fired both fore and aft No steamship has
ever entered this port with many striking pecuiar
ties of construction Among the most important OF
these Is the patent machinery whereby the propeller
can be raised and lowered at WILL Ths machinery Is
operated from the steering house aft on the main deck
BY this arrangement 1t becomes possible to build
steamship with much deeper set IN tho water
The advantage Is chiefly appreciated III stormy weather.
as II then that. heavily rolling sea- the ordinary
frequently whrinE uselessy above the surface
Of the water and the entire machinery is subjected TO
terrible strain. By the new invention II
becomes impossible. in the most vo-
lent pitching, for the entire screw to
reach the surface 1t thought that the vessel may
steam on the heaviest weather with perfect staadi-
ness As the vessel approaches the harbor at LyerpoO
or the Sandy Hook Bar the is easily raised. the
requiring only 90 seconds by steam or 50 minutes
by hand. Another great advantage is the ease with
which the propeller may be repaired, II injured IL Will
not be necessary the steamer in drydock, since
new blade can easily be inserted by Raising the screw
Another noticeable feature the Britannia Is the seer
ing apparatus. which is ia the main deck forward IL
patent steering gear, whereby one man may eA-
ercse the power Of in the od-fashioned way
telegraphc communication IS established between thS
| room and the bridge, aad orders thus gwen
| cannot be misunderstood In case tnIs steer
| ing apparatus should become deranged, resort Is
| had to the wheelhouse aft, which Is also
| ed
teographC signal orders are passed 10 the ocels o
ward ana aft for the working or INES chalns etG as no
vessel entering leaving her dock Inc aaVdhlds9
is seen in tho with which orders can be given ana
the imposslbty Of confusing me cOmmnds III IAS IJ
peaed shouting. Another innovation on tue main dech
is aso 10 be found aft II consists OF stanch turteDck
iron covering whereby n6 stcerdgo plssenges are shc
tiers the lookout forward and is furnished win sghdI
bells whereby he may communicate WIN Tue c'Pttln
The vessel divided by bukheads into water-lIgnt
compartments, aud these bukheads eAlcnu Irol ~,
keel to tle upper deck, point several rect ABOVE h
required. In addition TO the doors usually furnished,
others found the Britannia which are SO ARRANGED
that the water rushing IN w' Oh IT'S own Iorce thrust 10
OF "a single compartment, even III md ocean, W0uiu
therefore not endanger the vessel.
1t Is In the passenger accommodations, however that
the Britannia viii prove most popular The saloon Is
! an elegant paror. There are no lmmoyable benches
ranged along the sides aud through the center. AT
every table each passenger provided with luxurious
revolving armchair ysem vastly superior to the old
green lint handsomely Oh 10y abundant gliding. The
! foor is as solid marble, being inland with oak aud
| grand saoOn, large mirror surmounts a
marble IDautel at the other while IN the
center IL the library, with the principal works OF the
most popular poets and nOyei5ts The staterooms are
forward aft OF the main saloon aud are large wen
ventilated and luxuriOusy furnished. Runnns water
and marble basins are found In every room For sea
sick passengers newyinyened swinging berth Is pro
ydcd several OF the stateroOms On the promenade
deck the ladies' saloon, the most beautiful roog on
vessel Fresh air forced Throughout the Yesse D!
means OF "A faD moved by q small engine. The Britain
will easily accommodate 200 caDln ana nom Luz 10
1900 seerage passenSefs IL Is eApeesed that tno pu
ship on the ocean. Tue trip TO New-York was
made in days, 10 hours, and IS minutes appir-
ent time, whcn has been surpassed only by the Adfl-
atc which made the trip IN nearly hall an hour less.
Uniil the last dayOf the Brtannics passage she was
ahead of the AdTatics time, but fog detained her On
sIuge day OF the voyage sue accomplished $40 miles
| she Will be commanded by Capt. W. III. Thompson, the
Commodore of the whte star line. He has been con
uectes with the line since It's organization, and has
commanded the Oceanic, Celtic, and RepIDhc. lie Is
known 10 DO OF the most experienced ana trust
worthy commanders In the Atlantic service. Ine ful
| l,t of the Bntannic's officers is as follows:
Commodore, W. H. Ihonps9ni F onesr Baf.gh; seco,a
Ofee J. r. Irving Third Omer j. T. WaEer fourtH Omef A.
eaehAni T. Barrett SURGEON. r. heAs mel Engineer
] second Engueer H. Hchar1on Third bnsinerf
A. LAndon; Fourth Luei Rhh BngneeT Duneshi
hrth sharp EagneeI j. ha4se hghth bH'
| giBeer. J. BeJisrn. - g.. -, .,
Toe steamer will sail for Liverpool on Saturday with
fuIl complement OF passen gers and a heavy cargo