The Wilmingtonian., 1886-10-16

founder IN tins country would take on such
a heavy piece of casting at one time 1t
weighs over 10000 lbs and cost delivered, in
Wilmington after paying customs duties
etc, nearly So, 600 1t is 134 feet in diameter.
The engine will be fitted with steam turn
ing gear worked by small cyliuder besides
having hand motion
The reversing gear will be quick acting
steam gear and the manipulation of the
Alva's powerful engines from full speed
ahead to ''stop" aud full speed astern can
be effected in less time than it takes to write
it.
The governor to control the main engines
from the danger Of tracing in heavy v cath
er is automatic and of the Westinghouse
type.
The telegraph to the engine room is a dial
patent repeating one. All orders from the
commanding officer on the bridge are re-
peated back instantly by the engineer in
charge SO that absolutely no mistake can be
made as to handling the engines.
The finishing OF the engine room will be
as bright and neat as granting and stencil
ling can make it, The handrails for the
most part will be of brass brightly polished,
and the cylinder covers of polished iron.
Their will be direct access from Mr.. Wander.
bilt's quarters to the engine room aud pro-
vision is made for the observation of the
engines by any of the guests on board They
are designed to develop 1850 horse power
which will drive the ship at the rate of Is
knots an hour; this the builders guarantee.
Something better than this however is ex-
pected and it WILL cause no surprise if Q, $50
norse power aud the speed of 16 knots an
hour is attained on trial
The boilers are of mild steel throughout.
fitted with Fox's steel corrugated furnaces.
rheY are of the usual type of
fue and return tubular marine boilers.
IRE II feet in diameter by 10 feet long, The
shells being Il steel plate. They are drilled
'or iivettiug throughout no punching being
slowed. They are designed for 100 lbs.
pressure and meet English Lloyds special
survey in every particular, and have been
tested to 200 lbs. per inch by hydraulic
prtsure. There Will also be large donkey
boiler to work tie main donkey engine
electric light engine and deck engines, ice
engines, pumps, etc. The bunker capacity
will BE- 300 tons which would be equivalent
to II days steamiug o. sufficient to last the
vessel while crossing the Atlantic. One has
only to glance over the above details to gain
an idea Of the progress Of mariue epglneer-
ng during the last few years. Wilmington
may well be proud OF having produced such
vessel, the largest Of her kind and second
TO none afl1at in appearance, speed, or any
of her appointments.
The ofti3ers appointed we believe are Cap
tain II. Morrison, late of the Ono, Ameri-
can line who is an experienced as well as
careful navigator. The chief offi,er, MI.
Cushing, is also lately of the American line
aud is nephew, we belive of Capt. Cushion
at one time captain of the famous Black Ball
Line Clipper, "Dreadnaught." The chief
engineer, Mr.. ]. Hand was US. Inspecro, of
boilers and engines at Philadelphia and has
also held the post of chief engineer in the
American line. The chief steward is Mr..
G. Bartlett of Cowes, England who only last
month resigned similar position upon the
Prince of Wales yacht "Aine."
Exaggerated notions are abroad as to the
cost Of the "Alva" While it is not claimed
to know exactly the amount of money pro-
posed to be expended upon her, it may be
presumed that it wilt not total a penny
over $3.50, 900, in fact the supposition is that
the cost wilt figure something near that
amount