The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1874-03-19
4 MONSTER STEAMER.
Successful Launch Of the City Of
Picking at Chester, Pa.
A Six Thousand Ton Vessel for
the Pacific Trade.


CHESTER, Pa, March IS, 1874.
To the launching OF the great ship, which was
successfully effected here to-day and the particu-
lars OF which appear iuiiy below, was attached
more than ordinary significance. But q few years
ago such an event would have been impossible.
and the triumph OF this afternoon Is all the more
worthy OF note because being a circumstance Of
such rare occurrence, Our commerce was inaugu-
rated in i716 but IL virtually ended in 1862. We
had no navy az the opening OF the war;
and from our merchantmen We were forced
10 construct our naval ships. 1t cost D
greal deal OF money; but 1t did more, 10
destroyed our commerce. At the close OF
the war we converted our naval ships back
to merchantmen. This also cost a great deal OF
money and this also did more--,t really destroyed
the ships themselves. and for commercial rela.
tons left us destitute OF the agencies for re-.
spectacle commercial competition. Nor is this ALL
for in the conversion and reconversion just four
times as much money was spent as It would have
cost to have built good navy at the outset.
VISITORS TO SEE THE LAUNCH.
AS the hour neared noontide the crowd increased.
until within the boundaries OF the compaDys do
main there seemed to be gathered a mighty
army. AS yet the special train from Washington
and New York had not arrived. but ON the Delaware
tug after tug came sreaming up. The revenue cut
ter, the tug Pilgrim. from the Pha-
Blue and twenty or thirty other vessels
whose names in the foggy distance were indiscern-'
able, rocked to and 1ro on the waves, with their
decks and rigging black with human forms. On
board the tug Pilgrim there was music and merry
making, uniformed men and tidily attired women.
treading the rapid measures OF the waltz while
on tho shore gradually and gradually every stand
point became hive OF men and women. On the
piers, on the balconies, on the wharves, ON the
submits of factories and housetops, there seemed
to be not an inch OF space which was not oc-
cupIed. Down the shores OF the Delaware, along
the streets Of the village, in the yards fact
everywhere, people were jOstling each other, ana
complaining because they had not room 20 be
comfortable.
Then the special trains from New YORK and
Washington arrived. This was but half hour
prior to the launch. The cars from Washington
brought with them Senators Cameron, Ramsey,
Norwood, Howe, Bogy and ex-senator CatteH,
along with several Others. There also came Con-
gressmen Sawyer, Barry, Young, Page, H0ughton.
Eldridge Wheeler, schoned, Curtis CODurn and
Harmer. From the Naval Department at Wash.
ington your correspondent recognized Rear Admi-
raj Reynolds Commodore Jefers, Chief Engineers
Hanscon and Wood, and Second Secretary Of Mr..
Mr.. Robson, Smith. The New York special train
brought with 1t many OF those interested IN the
Pacific Mail line, namely President Sage, Vice
President Hatch, along with j. G. Wyman and
ton, Providence, New York and intermediate points.
The naval department Of New York was repre-
sented by Constructor Hanson, Chief Engineer
Shock, Chief Engineer Henderson and Chief En-
gineer seweh. The Navy Department Of philadet-
Constructors Edward Hartt, steele and Furness.
SUCCESSFUL FLOAT" HA
II was only few moments after the arrival OF
these parties that the launch was trumphant1y
made. Meanwhile innumerable boats spotted the
Delaware in the confines OF an exceedingly large
flags and colors of all nations Every tug and
steamer seemed to have band OF music on board,
ing beyond description. the Delegations Of both
houses at our national capital went On board the
sa Sns no wa So many other
CROWD upon the brave vessel tnat only few more
Of Se son ne
American nag. the Union Jack and the emblem Of
the Oriental realms. At precisely one moment
were knocked aside, every wedge had been driven
home, the nawsers were cleared, and that immense
mass OF iron began to move. A slight tremor ran
along her long and graceful lines, an awful sus-
pense rested upon the multitude, but the next in
slant .hc destined Queen Of the Pacific sought her
out a delay. shout went up from the
people there was series OF Wa om@ from
handkerchlels from the laeies--not from those men
who designed and built the ship, but from every
the steamers, row boats and tugs, who beheld IN
this glorious launch the revival OF an almost DOR
Of haze
vessel DuOyed itself upon the tide than the young
est daughter OF the builder OF the ship MISS Emma
"rHE CITY OF pBKING.''
There Is the vessel floating out with the TIDE or
the Delaware. She Is the largest snip that has
ever been constructed upon any Continent save
one, and that one, for commercial or practical
purposes, proved failure. she is graceful, CON-
modious and buoyant, and all her lines run in the
direction OF the most perfect proportions. In the
psip
OF that ship no one has piled his hand who was not
an American Il Is an american ship and none none
Is 49, feet, her depth IS feet inches, and her
beam As leet. Her tonnage is about 6.ooo
snip rig, with fore and aft .iigger masts.
she has been built for the Pacific Mail 1ine plying
nishes accommodation for July 1000 passengers.
Her machinery win be built al the Morgan iron
Works OF New York city ana VIII consist OF double
inches In diameter; low pressure cylinders. SO
inches in diameter; stroke OF pistons, "a inches;
Her propeller Is Hirchs patent, diameter 90 feet,
Inches; pitch 80 eet; revolutions. 65 per minute.
Her speed will be 1875 knots per hour.
Her boilers are ten in number; length, 10 feet 6
inches diameter of Is ieet pressure, 90 pounds per
THE FEAST OF REASON
After the launch the parties invited, constituting
several thousand in number, partook OF an Elegant
collation. served in the immense mould lott in
which there seemed to be no end OF cold meats,
salads, wines, whiskeys. brand,es and cordias.
the occasion was that OF Senator Cameron, who
was vebemently cheered as he came forward. and
who confined hrs remarks to the triumph OF the
hour and the possibilities OF American shpbuild-
ing in the future. Many Senators present made
eloquent addresses, and then the pioneer in me
revival OF the industry-Mr. Roche-dehvered
few earnest and interesting words He said that
as far as his capital or influence was concerned he
would devote both to the construction oil American
ships, and that although he was an Old man ne yet
hoped to see before he died every American mail
carried upon the bottom OF an American snip.
The return homeward was rendered pleasant by
stories speeches and songs. Every one seemed to
feel pleased with the success.