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


CHESTER Pa, March IL, 1874.
To the launching Of the great ship, which was
successfully effected here to-day and the particu-
lars OF which appear FULLY below, was attached
more than ordinary significance. But few years
ago such an event would have been impossible.
and the triumph OF this afternoon all the more
worthy OF note because being circumstance OF
such rare occurrence. Our commerce was inaugu-
rated In l716, but II virtually ended in 1862. We
had no navy at the opening OF the war;
and from our merchantmen we were forced
10 construct our naval ships 1t cost .
greal deal OF money but 1t did MORE 10
desi royed our commerce At the close or
the war we converted our naval ships back
to merchantmen. This also cost a great deal OF
money and this also did more--,r really destroyed
the ships themselves. and for our commercial rea.
tions left us destitute OF the agencies for re-.
spectacle commercial competition. Nor is this all,
for in the conversion and recOnverson just four
times as much money was spent as it would have
cost to have built good navy at the ontset
VISITORS SEE THE LAUNCH
AS the hour neared noontide the crowd increased,
until within the boundaries OF the company's do
main there seemed to be gathered 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 Phila-
delphia navy Yard, the steamer Jersey
Blue and twenty or thirty other vessels
whose names in tue foggy distance were indiscern-
able rocked to and fro 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.
treadng 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
to be not inch OF space which was not oc-
cupled. Down the shores Of the Delaware, along
the streets Of the village in the yards, and IN fact
everywhere, people were jostling each other, ana
complaining because they had not room TO be-
comfortable
Then the special trains from New YORK ana
Washington arrived. This was but O half hour
prior to the launch. The cars from Washington
brought with them Senators Cameron, Ramsey,
Norwood, Howe, Bogy and ex-senator Cattell,
along with several others. There also came Con-
gressmen Sawyer. Barry, Young, Page, Houghton.
Eldridge, Wheeler, Schoneld, Curtis. CoDurn ana
Harmer. From the Naval Department at Wash.
ington your correspondent recognized Rear Admi-
raj Reynolds, Commodore Jeners, Chief Engineers
HANSON 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 MISUNDERSTANDING Sage, Vice
President Hatch, along with J. z. Wyman ana
many hundreds OF distinguished citizens from BO6-
ton, Providence, New York and intermediate points
The naval department OF New York was repre-
sented by Constructor Hanscon Chief Engineer
Shock, Chief Engineer Henderson and Chief EN-
gneer Sewell The Navy Department Of phllade-
phia was represented by Commandant Mullany,
Constructors Edward Hartt, Steele and Furness.
A SUCCESSFUL 'FLOAT.n
II was only few moments after the arrival OF
these parties that the launch was trumphantly
made. Meanwhile nnumerable boats spotted the
Delaware in the confines of an exceedingly large
Qraa nd al nf Wara no
nags 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
saR Sns nose So sn
crowd upon the brave vessel that only a few more
From the mimic masts Of the iron snip noated the
American nag, the Union Jack and the emblem OF
I nast one coes s sne the
were knocked aside, every wedge had been driven
home, the hawsers were cleared, and that immense
along her long and graceful lines, an awful sus-
pense rested upon the multitude, but the next in
slant the destined Queen Of the Pacific sought her
natural element without an accident or with
out a delay. shout went up from the
people; there was series OF wild hurrahs from
the men and the cIapping Of hands and waving OF
handkerchiefs from the ladies-not from those men
h9 1 anc eu S s
the steamers, row boats and tugs, VINO beheld IN
this glorious launch the revival OF an almost dor
mant American industry and the excellence ana
supremacy OF American skill. No sooner had the
vessel ouoyed itself upon the tide than the young
est daughter OF tue builder oil the snip, MISS emma
Roche, breaking bottle OF wine across Its bows,
1.-THE CITY OF pEKING."
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 q failure. she Is graceful, com
modious and buoyant, and all her lines run in the
direction Of the most perfect proportions. In the
designing, the conception building and cumplet ton
OF that ship one has piled his hand who was not
but Americans have constructed her. Her length
is 432 feet her depth IS feet inches, and ner Ter
beam g eet aer Tonnage tS Is aesas aG %
ship rig with fore and aft jigger masts.
she has been built for the Pacific Mail line, plying
between China and San Francisco, and sue fur-
nshes accommodation for FULLY 1000 passengers
Her machinery will be built At the Morgan iron
compound engines, high pressure cylinders, 81
inches IN diameter; low pressure cylinders. So
inches in diameter; stroke OF pistons, "a inches;
Her propeller Is Hrch's patent, diameter 90 feet,
smches; pitch, 80 ieet revolutions. e5 per minute.
Her boilers are ten in number: length, 10 feet G
inches diameter of Is ieet pressure, 60 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 oil cold meats,
salads, Wines whiskeys, brandies and cordials.
Among the most remarkable speeches made upon
| the occasion was that Of Senator Cameron, who
was vehemently cheered as he came forward, and
who confined hrs remarks to the triumph or the
hour and the possibilities OF American shpbuild-
ing In the future. Many Senators present made
| eloquent addresses, and then the pioneer In the
revival of the industry-Mr. Roche-delvered q
| few earnest and interesting words He SAID tnat
as far as his capital or influence was concerned ne
| would devote both to the construction OF 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.