The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1882-04-09
ROANOKE REDIvIvUs.
The Old Dominion Company's New ship
The Old Roanoke and the New-Some Ac-
counts OF Both-How the Old One was
Burned and the New One Built.

hhr Oio Dotninioh touiVauts y view snip
The Old Roanoke and the New-some Acc
counts of Both-How the Old One was
Burned and the New One Built.
Yesterday morning about 10 O'Clock the
new iron steamship Roanoke, OF the Old
Dominion Line, steamed gracefully up the
river and was moorcd at the companys
wharf. The flag OF the United States
iloated from her main gah, and the Union
Jack was displayed from her foretopmast
stay. From the mainmast pennant bear
ing in red letters the legend " Roanoke"
was dancing In the breeze. and ut the fore
masthead another piece OF bunting fut-
tered, showing now and then as IL unfolded
to the wind the letters 80. d." 1t was
known that the ship was coming, and rs
she l.
THE LARGEST SHIP
that has ever entered this port q curious
crowd had gathered to gaze upon her.
She registers 1854 tons; length, 285 feet;
width, 40 feet inches; depth, 70 feet 3
inches. She has two compound engines
equal to 1,S00 horsepower, the high pres
sure of which is 80 inches in diameter
low, 74--with 54-inch stroke and 80
pounds working pressure. There are
four steel boilers, each 134 feet in dame
ter and IL feet, long, with 300 feet Of
CRATE surface, aud $500 feet Of heating
surface. Steam-power Is used for reversing
purposes, for weighing anchor and hauling
ship, the steam capstans beng an immense
improvement on old methods, and besides
there ale three sets OF hoisting engines
and two double. platform elevators which
are used for loading and unloading car
goes. There are three stean-pumps used
for bilge purposes and in cases OF fire, and
two bilge-injectors. capable OF discharging
10000 gallons of water minute, which
can be used as pumps in case the ship
should spring a-leak.
"sAHS LIKE A WITCH"
When the accommodating purser, James
VI. Gallagher, was asked by an old salt how
the Roanoke moved through the water, he
replied " she sails like WITCH" In proof
whereof he stated that she made the trip
from New York to Norfolk In twenty-five
hours, and could have easily made 1t in
twenty. From Norfolk to Richmond she
came smoothly and without the smallest ac-
cident or delay, Notwithstanding it was ap-
pretended that in coming through Dutch
Gap there might be trouble. A tug-boat
was sent down in case OF accident, but her
services were not needed at all, and the
Roanoke reached the company's wharf
safely, although drawing fourteen feet OF
water, and coming up when the tide had
been on the ebb an hour and half.
THE OLD ROANOKE.
The new steamship is named for steam
ship which was the pioneer boat Of the line
to Richmond, being the first one that sailed
hither thirty years ago. The old Roanoke
was then commanded by Captain Parrish,
who long since made his last voyage. In
the smoke-room OF the new boat hangs, in
separate frames, two paintings-the old
and the new Roanoke-and some idea OF
The improvements can be seen at 4 glance at
each % them.
The old Roanoke was on the line be-
tween New York and Havana during the
war, and was captured in September, 1864,
soon after leaving the latter port, by Con-
federate officer, Captain Braine, and sew
eral companions, who had taken passage
on the steamer at Havana with that object
i'm view. They took her to Bermuda,
where, after taking off some $4,000 in
money, which they found aboard, they
burned her, together with n small cargo.
she was then commanded by Captain sam.
&. Drew, OF this city.
THE NEW BOAT BEAUTY.
Some idea Of the splendor OF the palatial
ocean steamers can be gained by a visit to
the Roanoke, which, in all its appurte-
nances, closely resembles them. Ii Is almost
impossible TO convey in words an idea OF
the splendor of the interior OF the ship.
e l. a Narfapt =
can make It, and the material the best quail
ity OF walnut and maple. In the grand
| saloon the foot sinks in the depths
OF most beautiful and costly carpet.
The state-rOoms are models OF comfort and
neatness, and show proportions much more
ample than those OF ante-date. They are
| furnished with the very best OF everything
| i'm the shape OF chamber articles, both art
and skill having been brought into use with
an utter disregard to cost. There are In
| termediate state-rooms which are rs COM
/ Portable as any, and these, together with
the utilization OF the lounges in the grand
saloon. will make the accommodation ample
Cor all purposes. She was built by the Ia
nous ship-buiders John Roach Il Son, OF
Chester, Pa.
The following is a list OF the officers:
CAPTAIN. George W. Couch.
Purser, James NJ. Gallagher.
/ First Officer, III. Glover.
Second officer, j. b. Shell.
| Third Officer. X. Luce.
Chief Engineer, John Terrell.
First Assistant Engineer, II. Coon.
Second Assistant Engineer, j. NJ. Flem-
| ing.
Steward. George Nicholson.
Among the large number Of passengers
| from New York were the veteran Captain
| II, 4. Bourne, now general superintendent
OF the line, and Mr. George V. Sloat, super
intendent engineer Of the company and
| formerly chief engineer OF the old Roam
oke.
THEATRE-MoNDAY.- llinstrels-matinee
and evening. From Wednesday TO SatIIr-
day, with Saturday matinee, the Audran
Comic Opera-Troupe. The Norfolk Ledger
saws OF this troupe: ''There is not before
the American public more deseryedly
popular comic opera company than that
! known as the Audran. They come directly
from the Bijou Theatre, New York" Miss
Catherine Lewis, the popular fayorite, is
with this company, and the "Snake Charm
er" will be given as performed over 100
nights in New York, with all the gorgeous
costumes OF Landolff and the original
scenery. There are many numbers in the
Snake -Charmer, which are simply delight
ful and full OF music; the choruses areall
good. and many OF the solos catching. The
l.. 4 NlUnn-