New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1881-10-22

increased SO that .argcr and more powerful vessels
and quicker voyages have become necessary.
These thee vessels each built of steel for several
reasons, principal among which is that the quality
OF British shpbuildlng iron has become so poor thai
steel has to be Tesortcd to. Again, the increased
cost of steel vessel IA per above that OF IRON
is offset by the reduction of weight ia the hull of
the vessel, which estimated at Ia per cent less
than II the hull was constructed OF iron. Inc ten
dency In naval construction as regards the merchant
navy to lengthcn the hulls, without III any APP
preciabie degree augmentng the beam or depth OF
the hold Tins eNtieme length ana comparative
narrowness OF beam might perhaps, suggest come
weakness in the hull. This, however, is not So as
examination of the character OF their constrnc-
ton will show. The three vessels have each II
different style of rigging.
THE NEW INMAN LINE STEAMSHIP.
The City of Rome, of the Inman Line is the
largest merchant vessel constructed excepting
the Great Eastern. She underwent preliminary
trial trip the Clyde September Is, and the
results proved in every way satisfactory. She
sailed from Liverpool on October 13, and is expected
to arrive here the 2lst. The distinctive type of
the Innian Line has not been departed from in
spect of the oldfashloned but still handsome profile,
with clipper bow. tgurehead and bowsprt. She is
rugged with four masts, and here the handsome
full ship rig of the Inman Line has been adhered to-
the addition of the fore and ait jigGer-masts,
rendered necessary by the great length of the
vessel. This length compared with the breadth
nsures long, easy lines for the high speed required
and the depth as compared with the breadth lnsures
greater stability and consequent comfort for the
passengers. The hRureheau Is a iullenSth hgure OF
one of the Roman Caesars In the imperial purple.
The vessel has three tunnels each painted with the
distinctive white band. A point calling for special
notice is the large number of separate cOmpart-
ments formed by water-tight bulkheads, each ex
tending to the main deck. The largest OF these
compartments is only about sixty feet long, and
surprising that from collision or other cause. one OF
these should ill with wafer the trim OF the vessel
would not be materially affected With a view OF
giving still further safety iii the event OF collision or
stranding the Loiers are arranged in two separate
\
also separated from the boer-rooms by water
tight bulkhead
The vessel has two complete iron decks above
while the lower deck Is c0mplere for halt the
lengtk, and has wide plating on each side for the
remainder The deck houses and turtle decks
the upper deck are of iron. The three engines are
set tandem and drive single screw propeller,
twenty-four feet in diameter The crank and screw
shafts of huid-compressed steel, the former
being twenty-five inches IN diameter, ana weighing
siXty-thIee tons, or eleven tons less than ii o1
non. feature mentioned in the steam department
OF this vessel 10 hat it's engines can be reversed
seconds by an improved mechanical device. AS
fact this same device was adapted to the American
Line vessels built by William Cramp " Sons. OF
ihlaGelphia' nine years ago; SO lhat the invention
may be claimed to have been purely American,
and has been extensively used ON American built
vessels since that time.
The internal arrangements of this ship most
complete. The promenade deck carries ut the fore
end the saloon Skylight. In the hurricane deck
house. the captains aud CHIEF officers rooms
plao ed close to the DOthOuse and lookout bridge,
80 that these officers are always near III case OF
necessity. Abalt tins Is the upper saloon compan-
ion, and abaft this the large upper SmOk
In the after deck house is the ladies saloon Next
aft is the cOmpaniOn-way leading to the saloon
s'ate-roons. AZ the SIDES oil the hurricane Geek
steam launch. On this deck are also tho steam
cargo. On the upper deck is the upper saloon, 100
feet long, htted up in sump uous styie with large
rectangular opening into the lower, or dining
saloon, adjoining which is the lower smoklng-rooIn.
The panellng OF these saloons Is III waIuscOt oak,
the hoors laid IN mosaic pavement, and the uphol-
stery IN morocco leather Abait tins are the officers
tOoms.
The dining saloon extends the breadth of the
vessel is seventy-two feet long and nine feet high.
There are revolving chairs at the tables for go
persons, each char numbered to correspond with
the berth, so that the passenger may always know
his or her place. large American organ stands at
the forward ID of the main SELDOM. On each SIDE
abait the saloon state-rOomS for 800 passengers
The retlring-roOms, baths barber-shOps, wash
rooms etc, are amldshIps. Steerage accommoda-
and 1000 or l.2OO more be placed on the lower
deck. Compartments are arranged for the different
sexes with wash-rooms etc. and particular atten-
tiOii Is paid To the arrangement of bpTths hit and
ventilation. The decorations and interior fittings
OF the City of Rome of the most elaborate char
acter, the style being modern French renaissance
AN ADDITION TO CUNARD LINE.
The announcement made by the Cunard Line,
at the launch of its last new steamship the Gala
that vessel oven larger and possessing the
best qualifications for the great Atlantic highway,
would soon be added to the fleet, has leen followed
by the building of the Seryia. This vessel was to
have sailed from Liverpool on October D. but the
announcement is now made that she cannot be got
ready before November 20, owing TO the defects
discovered in her shaft. Her cargo capacity will be
equal to O,5CO tons, with 800 tons OF coal and
1000 tons of water ballast, the vessel having a
double bottom on the longitudinal bracket system
Her engines arc on the compound principles, with
one high pressure and two low-pressurc cylinders
There seven boilers, made of stee' with thirty
nne corrugated furnaces. The hull built OF steel
aud Is divided into nine waier-tight compartments
She Is practically five decker, having four whole
decks and promenade, the latter beng large and
spacious and reserved for the passengers. On the
forward part OF the promenade deck are the cap
taIn's cabin aud chart-rOOn, the pilot house and
steam steering gear. Forward the upper deck
are the fOrecastle with accommodations Tor tie
crew, and lavatOries and BATHROOMS for the steer
age passengers; while aft are the hight towers.
The spacious sInokng-rOom IS on the deck,
next to the englne-TOOm sky light. Near the alter
deck-house is the la iies' saloon, communicating
with the music hall aud tho deck. The music hail
is htted up handsomely. immediately abait rs the
grand stairway leading TO the main saloon and 10
the stateTOolus on the main and lower decks. For
the DIence OF passengers there less than
four different entrances nom the upper deck Of the
snip TO Tie cabins. Tue main saloon is both spa-
and light, being seventy four feet long aud
IOIty-nine feet wide with sitting accommodations
Tor 800 persons All the upholstery OF The saloou
Is OF morocco. The pantlcS, baths, ldvatOTies and
stateI0Oms are immediately forward OF the after
deck. The total number of stateroOnls IS 49, with
sle ping accommodations for 100 hist-cass and 900
s.ecfage passengers, besides crew Of 200 officers
anu Iacn,
The special rig of the Cunard Line of three masts
~ adhered TO. the company believing il to be more
Slp-shape imam the practice OF httlug up maStS
cVrdtng 10 the length OF tic ship. special feature
OF the vessel Is the Arrangement oi the water ight
doors IN the engine and boiler spaces. These can be
sant IRON the upper deck in OF accident ana
they possess this advantage. that they can bc closed
AZ about tw0 seconds wtlr te usual sly lie requires
tbe 1ooI To be screwed down, which TaAes cOnsid-
cradle time. The upper deck OF steel covered
Win yellow pine, the main deck OF steel covered
with teak, and the lower deck is OF steel covered
with teak covering above the engine and boiler
spaces. All the deck houses and lttiiua which