Seattle daily post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, W.T. [Wash.]) 1881-1888, 1885-04-11
FTRsT PACIFIC COAST sTEgI
sERAMRR.

SO memorable an event as the launch
inR Of the hrss steel steamship ever
built on this COAST attracted 3 large
crowd Of prominent and veil known
people 70 the shipyard Of the Cnion
Iron works, as the Potrsro, yesterday
afternoon. The Arago is screx steam
snip OF 75o tons register, and was built
FOR the Newport Coal Company Of Coos
bay. As she lay on the ways 10 the
shipyard, with the American daQ living
triumphanily from her bow, and With 4
large psnnant bearing the word ''Arasor
floating from q beam set IN the main
hatch, the steamer was Et once a fine
example Of the shipbGilder's skill and
q representative Of the growing indus
tries of the Pacific csast.
The guests began arriving at about /
p. M, and at z .. ~, the time announced
for the launch, about COO had assem-
bled. The tugs MilIen Griffith, Her
cules and Sea Lion eaoh had a large
and festive party, and Numerous small
boats and the Potrers bills suppl.ed
nautical experts by the SCORE.
The vessel was supported on the ways
by n cradle, which was so arranged
that when she blocks under the keel
would be knocked away the cradle
voald Aide down the ways. carrying
the steamer With il. A. a little after 2
O'Clock the workmen began knocking
sway the few remaining blocks which
held the vessel stationary, while the
spectators watched breathlessly for the
first move toward the sea. fhe ex
pected moment arrived, the blocks we're
knocked frsm Hnder, and amid the
dsafeniAR shrieks Of many steam whis-
ties. the hurrahing Of lussy throats aod
the waving Of dainty handksFohiefs.
the AraRo slides gracefully into tire
water and floats like q cork straight
away, until broueht up by her anchor
cable. Tue launch Was one OF the
most suocessfal ever witnessed on this
coast.
The Millen Griffith toved the Ara
10 q wharf opposite the WAYS, wher- toe
vessel was to reoeive her boilers. Ii o
machinery, whieh was of immense
weight. vas supported by seven wire ca
blea arranged on an immense steel tri-
D "a of shears. The cables hung from tie
top OF the tripod down bet ween the two
front legs, where they wese attached 10
the machinery. The third lee OF the
tripod had q screw attachment, by
which the whole A1 air was swung over,
wosn the boilers had been hoisted high
snouRh and the machinery then lowered
into the bold. The boilers we're put in
position IN less than half an hour.
The Arago is 200 feet long. on the VA
ter line and 2OT feet over all. has 30 fest
beam and Is feet depth of hold and Ia
built entirely of steel. The Keel. stern
and stem frames and all the angle work
in construction were forged at the Union
lroa Works. The plates we're made in
the East. Being built for carrying coal.
large hatehes were made forward and
aft, and Il is thought that the steamer
can go under the shutea and by means
Of these hstChes can load 1O09 tons of
coal and sail on the same tide. When
loaded her draft will be twelve feet six
inohsa. Her boiler 10 Of the Scotch type,
Hred from each end. and can stand ioO
pounds pressure. There are two fur
naees in each end of - inches dian-
e,er and I've feet ak inches long. also
3ts return tabes Of three inches 10 dian =
eier. The shell is Is mild steel stamp
ed 6o.o0O, fitted with bntt straps oatside
and inside, all hyjFaniic riVeted. Stamp
pumps will be ittad 10 draw froRa tie
water ballast and frem each eompaFt-
ment Of the hold and seom the sea in
case Of fire. IS. r. Ckroafcis.