Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1879-10-02

Correspondence of the Yorkviile Enquirer.
PHILADELPHIA STEAMSHIPS.
PHILADELPHIA, Pa, Sept. %, 1879.

PHILADELPHIA, Pa, Sept. %, 1879.
"Time works wonders" is a trite saying,
but most appropriate to the great changes,
Improvements and progress of trade and COM
merce at the present time. A visit to the
ocean steamers of the American and Red
Star lines, running between this port and
Liverpool and Antwerp, furnishes most no.
table illustration. The exciting appearance
and activity of officers, stevedores and labor
ers, transferring immense quantities Of freight,
grain, bacon, lard, beef, cattle, tobacco, slaves
&C., shipped in through cars direct to the
wharves, from Chicago, Cincinnati, St. Louis,
Richmond and other western, southern and
southwestern cities, is apt to daze and bewllder
one unaccustomed to such sights. The enor-
nous supplies of provisions now shipped to
the other side of the water, in the expressive
language Governor Hoyt of this state, rela.
tive to the farmers, marvellous exhibits OF
animals at the recent State Fair, "is startling
and teaches that the men who 60 around the
country preaching classes and talking about
capital and labor being two distinct classes,
are mischief makers The men who have
shown the real destiny of the country are the
farmers and sterling business men. l reckon
it to be proud day for this country, and
settled fact in the providence of God, that
America is to feed the universe" Some OF
the ablest minds are puzzled as to the effect
of all this on politics and political parties.
Business men and farmers are saying, "let us
have no more bloody shirt" but a sound uni
form currency for all the states, patriotic men
of business brains, energy, executive ability
and honesty to administer the government,
and the country will take care of itself.
The American line of steamers, four in
number, to wit: Pennsylvania, Ohio, Indiana
and Illinois, are the only American built
steamers that cross the Atlantic which fly the
American flag and carry the United States
mails The agents are Messrs. Peter Wright
& Sons, an extensive shipping firm Of world
wide reputation, over three score years iden.
titled with all the various mercantile inter.
ests of Philadelphia. The firm is now COM
posed of James A: Wright, Clement A. Girls
com and Frank l.. Neale, the steamship de-
partment being under the special supervis-
ion of Mr.. Griscom, gentleman Of rare ex-
ecutive ability and energy. The steamers
were built in this city. They each have &C.
commodations for one hundred first class cabin,
and one thousand steerage passengers, besides
officers rooms and quarters for the crew, who
number from 95 to 100 for each vessel. Each
steamer makes, on an average, voyage
every thirty days. But the special, and per-
haps the most interesting feature, in addition
to the splendid accommodations order and
extreme cleanliness of the steamers, is the
excellent table fare. The supplies, which are
of the very best quality, are furnished in this
city. The fresh beef, Of which each steamer
takes, for both the outward and return voy-
age, from ten to twelve thousand pounds, is all
purchased at contract prices from Mr.. L. S.
Boraef, an extensive wealthy, cattle dealer and
large stockholder in the company. The cat
tie are from special breeds, raised in Chester
and Delaware counties in this state. Not a
single pound of beef is purchased in Liver
pool. About twenty-five tons of ice are taken
on board, and the beef and other meats packed
in large ice-house, are kept as fresh to and
from Europe as when first slaughtered. Tur-
keys, geese, ducks, chickens, game and other
supplies, such as vegetables, &C., are also pur-
chased at wholesale contract prices, thus ef'
fecting for each steamer large saving on
each voyage.
The Red Star line comprises six steamers
to-wit: Vaderland, Nederland, Switzerland,
Zealand, Belgenland and Rhynland. These
sail alternately from Philadelphia and New
York to Antwerp. The two last named are
new and the most magnificent ocean steamers
aAoat. They were built in England for the
Red Star line, but for all practical purposes
may be considered American, as at least two
thirds of the stock is owned in Philadelphia
AS your correspondent had the pleasure of q
visit and inspection of the Belgenland, which
sailed from here for Antwerp last Saturday,
and believing it would interest your readers,
I append full description, which may be ap-
piled to her consort the Rhynland
The Belgenland is four masted iron screw
steamer, 4l6 feet long over all, 402 feet be-
tween perpendiculars, 40 feet from beam, and
80 feet 8 inches deep from the upper part Of
the keel to the upper deck beam amidships.
She measures 3,700 tons, has a straight stem
and elliptic stern, with turtle backs forward
and aft, and on the main deck are substan-
tial iron houses, containing saloons, ladies
rooms, smoking room, chart room, and the Of
fcers' and engineers quarters, pantries, mess
rooms ice house, etc. A galley and appur.
tenances fitted to cook for $50 cabin passen.
gers and 1000 steerage passengers. The
steamer is fitted with all the modern improve
ments for making the voyage comfortable to
passengers, and also with all the modern i'm
provements for navigating and handling the
ship with safety. Not the least important is
Mure and Caldwells steam steering gear, by
which child in the wheel house can steer, in
heavy sea.way, this immense steamer, more
quickly and certainly than eight men at the
wheel could do it under the old fashioned
| way. ~ .. ~..-. -
The saloons, of which there are two, one
forward and one aft, are on the main deck.
The forward and principal one is located just
forward of amidships, and the after one lit
tie abaft amidships. The state-rooms are all
in the centre of the ship and under the main
deck. This arrangement, by which the state
rooms and saloons are on separate decks, is
favored one by many sea-going passengers
It has the advantage of saloon, from the
windows of which passengers can observe all
that transpires at sea and on deck, and the
state-rooms being on another deck, give pri-
vacy to them, which is greatly preferred by
many passengers. The forward saloon is fin
ished in polished paneling of satin wood and
mahogany. The upholstering is Of grained
leather. The furnishing is most attractive
and substantial. At one end is beautiful
piano, of the best English make, and on either
sside beautifully finished sideboard. Down
the middle is an elaborate steam heater, the
top of which serves for table, At the other
end of the saloon is finely furnished library.
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