The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1886-01-21
NOVEL VESSEL.
Full Description of the Maine Gen.
trails New Steamer.

The New England Shipbuilding Company
OF Bath has begun work upon the new steam
er for the Maine Central Railroad, upon
their Bar Harbor route. The vessel will be
156 feet long, 26 feet wide and 10 feet deep,
and will be built with special reference to
speed and the peculiar necessities of its
route from the railroad terminus at Sullivan
to Bar Harbor. In several respects the
,teamer will be a novelty. Its hull will have
no guards, but very flaring sides, and below
the water line will be nearly circular in
form. This shape will give the same amount
of deck room, and also the same breadth OF
hull at the load line, and will present much
easier shaped side to the action Of the waves
in rough weather than a boat with guards.
1t will also be lighter in weight for the same
strength of structure, and with long boiler
of small diameter placed low down in the
hull, the boats stability will be very great.
On the main deck, opening from the aft
side of the aft gangway, is a ladies' cabin, 3S
feet long by 10 feet wide, handsomely uphol-
stored, from which is partitioned off at the
aft end a cOmmodious layatory and still far
ther aft, opening from the lavatory, are
water closets From the centre of the la
dies cabin handsome staircase ascends to
the main saloon above The engine room
opens forward from the aft gangway amid
ships, and along the sides are the captains
Office, express room, gentlemen toilet rooms
and farther forward the kitchen and officers
mess room. Forward OF the engine room,
and extending the whole width OF the vessel,
the boiler being entirely below deck, is an
extensive area for the disposal of Saratoga
trunks, etc., and from the forward part OF
the room is inclosed handsome double stair
case, opening from the forward gangway, and
ascending to the main saloon. This main
saloon is II feet long, and has an average
width of 10 feet and height OF feet, and
is surmounted by broad dome sky1ght OF
graceful design, lighted with softly tinted
glass, extending the whole length OF the sa-
loon. The entire sides and att end OF the
saloon are fitted with large windows, and
around the sides extends richly upholstered
seat. Instead of the inclosure for the ma
chinery dividing this saloon for the best part
of its length into two narrow and dark alley
ways and the view from the side windows
being ObStructed by large paddle-bOxes, this
steamer will practically have a clear saloon,
well lighted for its whole length and breadth,
the windows affording an uninterrupted
view in every direction The saloon deck
extends outside the saloon, both forward and
aft, and for comfortable width along the
sides, affOrding fine outside promenade. a
fine pilot house rises from the forward end
of the main saloon, and in its rear are the
stateroOms for the captain and chief engln-
eer.
The boat will be handsomely furnished.
To prevent the vibrations from the screw
propeller, the three-cylinder engine with
cranks at 120 degrees, will be used, and de-
velop 600 horse power. The engines Will
have all the improvements The steam will
be supplied by straight through" boiler,
with three furnaces, using a moderate forced
draft. The boiler is of steel, but strapped
inside and ont, treble riveted and adapted
for a steam pressure of 100 pounds. The
propeller is of an original design, is four
bladed and intended for high number Of
revolutions.
The boat will be furnished with all the
usual life-saving appliances, and with very
perfect pumping and fire apparatus. The
hull is of oak and hard pine, and being iron
strapped it will be light and very strong: The
hull, joiner work and appointments have
been designed complete to every detail by
by MI VIM. P. Pattee, which, to those ia
miliar with his work, is sufficient guarantee
that the vessel will have no superior of her
class. The work of construction is also be-
ing carried out under the supervision of Mr..
Pattee. The designing and construction Of
the machinery is being done by Mr.. Q. 4.
Hyde superintendent of the New England
ShipbuildIng Company's Iron Works.