The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1878-05-16
RUSSIAN CRUISERS.
Alleged Purchase of a Steamer
in Philadelphia.
STATE OF CALIFORNIA.
Description Of the Vessel 10 Be
Launched To-Day.
RJIM0RS TINT SAM NHTCG0
STATE OF CALIFORNIA
RUM0RS In SAN FRANCISCO.
Two Ships Said to Have Seen Bought
in New York.


from this CITY, there every reason to believe that
the new steamer tho State OF California has como
into the possession OF tho Russian govern
course none OF the representatives or tho
parties concerned IN this city will officially
admit such TO be the case but this Is not matter OF
SURPRISE us All admission OF the fact NJ ght ultimately
prove very incony cnicn Neither tho Messrs. Cramp
who arc building tho ship, tho agent OF tho
line for which she intended deny the statement
OF the transfer and there scarcely DO any doubt
that II has taken place. The vessel could hardly BIO
better fitted for Russian cruiser II sho had been
expressly designed for that purpose according to
those best acquainted with such mat,ers; and II sho
can BIO finished bcioro tho breaking out Of tho war.
which is considered imminent, there is DOUBT she
would be able, il properly handled, 70 damage English
commerce considerably.
WHAT sun WAS INTENDED FOR.
The State OF California was originally ordered or
William Cramp several months ago by Messrs. Good
all. Perkins Co., 'oi San Francisco agents for tho
Pacific Coast Steamship Company of San Francisco.
She was to ply Francisco and Portland Orc
gon aud was ordered to be first class every ect
and very speedy SO us TO beat tho time OF the Oregon
new steamer just ouilt by John Roach Tor oppo-
sition California coasling line Between these two
steamship companies there Is, IL appears great RI
valry. ana the Cramps wore ordered to ..lay ,hcm-
selves OUT on the California, to eclipse the
oregon winch, as II happened, was also built by Cramps
business rival At Chester The California now lies on
the ways, her hull just finished and ali rcady TO be
launched tomorrow her iron shell is painted
black and red-rcd below her wntcr line
and black above-and even on tho ways
she has raklsh and suspicious look.
who Ia TO DO consigned tho ono O'Clock 10
morrow, ana tho bottle OF wine will be broken over
her bows anu the snip carlstsned by Miss Minnie
California, who was Commissioner from California TO
the Centennial Exhibition.
RUSSIANS HAD EXAMINED HER.
ShIpv I Hat
one OF tho Messrs. Cramp He very rcticent when
questioned about the sale OF the steamer to Russia
the matter, and smiled significantly, but did
not deny thu. the California mad changed
Il Co. in their transactions and have nad no dealings
with the Russians. Mr.. Cramps good humorcd smil-
the Russians having purchased tho California
and the original owners having ordered tho
Cramps 80 construct duplicate. The ship
definite Conversing afterward with several work.
men In tho yards found II to DO Their impression
that tho California had been sod. Several OF them
told me that Russian gentlemen had Dcen there OK.
aiming her some time ago. but had not been seen
lately.
nRa DIMENSIONS
She Is OF a beautiful MODEL, with very sharp bows
aud 1ne lines, long and narrow, ana Will res, low
the water; but Will have very light draugh 10 feat to
be the extreme, thus bning two great requisites
a cruiser. speed ind hight draugnL All her arc
which is unusually sharp and tapsring. 1hs
hull is OF American IRON, carefully forged
3s feet beam extreme depth hold OF IS ioet
She To DO full thrce deckcd IRON steamer built
under tho IuIes OF inc BRUSH Lioyas Tor inc highest
grade, under tho Inspection oil Mr. samuel Arch
bold, tho Lloyds agent In America. She IL
tho arst snip bull. IN THIS country under
four bladed propeller and Is To be supplied with CON-
pound suriacc-condenslng sngines with direct acting
Inverted cyiinders Tho engines are 20 develop
ITO horse power, aud Will DO supplied with steam
by six cylindrical boilers Tho builders contract
cuaranl .eg u speed oil fifteen knots an hour, ana
Tx M bnth
hull and epgDcs viii b. OF tho best, the altcr being
on the plan OF John Elders English work. IS sad
designs before they built tho Steamers Tor Tho Aneri
can line TO Liverpool
Tho State OF Caniornia is to DO ftcd with cabin
commodai,ons Tor ZOO nrst class cabin passengers,
vnae proy n1 opr'' 200 deex sna
senscrs She Is TO be brig-riggcd and lifted
with steam steering gear and all tho latest
improvements IN naval architecture. Tho two lower
decks are OF iron, covered with wood. Tho upper
deck Is entirely oil wood. The dining saloon Is amid
ships the lower deck Ii Is forty feet long, aud
extends the width oil tho ship. II Is 10 be handsomely
finished IN hard woods. Tho social hall was con
traced Tor 10 be situated on tho upper deck Of tho
deliberately In hard woods. All the work this
upper deck has been suspended Il is all OF wood
construction and. beng high above tho iron hull, Is
too much exposed Tor privatocr Tho joincis
we're progressing rapidly with ,he'r work would
have had the principal part OF IL done In time Tor tho
launch. but on Monday tho order 10 stop was sud
denly given None OF this upper deck would DO likely
y
ANOTHER ACCOUNT or TIE NEGOTIATIONS
PHILADELPHIA, May Is, 1878.
Tho NORTH American oil Tomorrow Will announce
tho fact that mo transfer OF ownership of tho Iron
steamer state oil California which Will be launched
tomorrow from the yard OF Cramp sons OF this city
AMI which was quit Tor the Pacific Coast Navigation
Company has hecn msdc In New York to rsprcsen ta-
tivcs 81 the Russian government The Transaction
took place In the Office OF :. A. Low Co., bank.
ers aud brokers, Of New York, and agents
Tor the Pacific Coast Navigation Compsny
Tho first insialment OF 100000 In gold
WIS paid down, and tho remainder of the purchase
money viii follow al Intervals during the next two
months.
II ~ said the Russian government was represented
by an American gentleman. who Is IN the back.
ground aud who IL acting Directly Tor the Muscovite
government In order TO adapt her for tue service
tor which sho - inionded extensive alterations VIII
be made, aud these will be begun nj onca.
SALE OF THE CIiY or sYDSLY AT SAN FRAN.
cIsco--sAID TO BE OR RUSSIAN ACCOUNT.
my TII.YCplpU tn TuR urp.rnl