Savannah morning news. [volume] (Savannah) 1868-1887, 1884-04-06
NIB. AsToR,s NEW YACHT.
The Splendid Appointments Of the
Vessel Now Building at Wilmington.

Eelc York Sun.
WILMINGTON. March 30.-ScOres Of
men are busily at work on a low black
hull in the Harlan & HollingswOrth ship
Yards. By the middle Of April it viii be
ready to launch, and hencefOrth will
bear the name Of the NOuTmahal. This
is the yacht which Mr.. William Astor. Of
New York. expects will eclipse anything
afi0at. and IN which he Is ready 70 invest
something like $3.50. 900.
The NOurmahal Is to be a novelty in
one way. 1t is to be built entirely Of
steel, and the requirements are that it
shall be fully as well equipped for the sea
as the best Of the ocean steamers. Mr..
AstOr doesn't intend 70 be a fresh-water
sailor by any means, and he stipulates
that his yacht must come up TO the rules
Of the English Lloyds Register. The hull
and the frame are Of steel, the deck beams
are Of steel, and even the deck itself is to
be made Of the same material. Steel will
be used for the deck houses as high as the
windows. The NoLrmahal promises a
beautiful model. The deck length is 227
feet and a few inches. The breadth Of
beam is 80 feet and the depth Of hold
1S.7Z. Speed is TO be less Of an object than
safety and comfort. The two engines can
be worked to the extent Of ], 400 horse
power, but only Y knots an hour is ex-
pected from ordinary pressure, which can
De increased 70 "A If necessary. The
yacht is to be bark rugged, and will spread
something like 1000 square feet Of canvas
70 the breeze.
Mr.. AstOr intends to furnish his floating
palace In a manner BETTING its cost. As
in Mr.. Benefits NamOuna, and Mr..
GOuld's ATLANTA, the cabins will be for
ward, and the Old-time quarter deck will
be given up 10 the seamen. The engines
g.. -. "a 40
deck, and Just forward Of the engines, the
main saloon will begin. running the full
width Of the vessel, and is TO be lighted
by an immense skylight, TO be finished in
solid hard wood, and to be furnished with
richest material, including sofas. chairs.
and a long extension table for dining pur-
poses. Leading from this saloon is to be
a hallway. Opening from it, on the star
board side, is 10 be the owners staterOom,
large room luXuriOusly furnished. just
forward is another stateroOm, and OppO-
site, on the port side, three staterOoms for
guests. At the end Of the hallway is to
be a cabin tor ladies', extending. like the
main saloon, across the vessel. Forward
Of the cabin Will be two rooms for the
maids. The furnishing Of these rooms is
70 be in hard wood.
One Of the main rooms is to be the
longing room, or observation room, or
udlEfcl IL may bt Cdlltus III IuE utCh
house. This is reached by a companion
way from the hall below. The stars are
10 be Of polished brass, with mahogany
ratings, and the deck room is 70 be finish
ed in mahogany, with white pine over
head and frescO work. Aft Of this deck
saloon, with its magnificent appointments,
IS to be a chart room, finished in the same
manner.
All the officers and seamen are to be
Quarrered aft Of the machinery. First
comes galley on the starboard side, with
rooms for cooks, stewards, and engineers
across the passage, on the port side. Aft
Of these are the rooms Of the mates, Cap
tain, and quartermasters, and at
the end Of the passage is
the ward room. In the extreme
stern Of the yacht ten seamen and as many
firemen can be Quartered. There will be
more room in the NOurmahal than in the
ATLANTA. 1t is expected that the yacht
will do wGsi unuer canvas. The etanding
rigging is TO be Of charcoal galvanized
wire and the running rigging of manila
boat rope. The tall fOremast, raking aft,
Will float a pennant 100 feet above the
deck. Electric bells from all the forward
cabins and staterOOms will summon at
tendants and the electric light will be
used in every portion Of the yacht.
1t is expected that Mr. AstOr can take
a trip in his splendid craft, fitted and
equipped in every detail, before the hot
weather Of August sets in. About three
months will be required to complete eYery-
thing after the launch.