Savannah morning news. [volume] (Savannah) 1868-1887, 1886-03-17
DESCRIPTION OF THE OREGON.
The Palatiat Cunarder Which Went
Down Last sunday.
IN Z w Iork -

Down Last summary.
From ~ Yess YORK Star.
The Oregon was built Cor the Guion line
by the firm OF John Elder 4 Co., OF elias
gov, and was launched on June %, 1883.
She was built on nearly the same lines as
the steamer Alaska. still running Tor the
Guion line, with whatever Improvements
were suggested by the success Of that
steamer, which was at that time the fleet
est vessel on the ocean, and as such
named 1.-THE Greyhound OF the Atlantic
The experience gained from the Alaska
WAS utilized in the building of the Oregon
on somewhat finer lines, with increased
horse power. The result was vessel
that eclipsed all ever built before her,
and took from the Alaska the title she had
hitherto borne.
The dimensions of the Oregon were rs
follows: Length over all $50 feet, breadth
o. feet, depth 40 feet inches Her en-
gines indicated between 1900 and $4,000
horse power, and her gross tonnage 1900
tons. She had Ave decks; the first, or
promenade deck, extending the whole
length and breadth OF the vessel. This
was entirely reserved for saloon passen-
gers. with the exception OF that portion
which ran underneath the turtle decks
at the bow and stern. The second, or
upper deck, was used for the officers and
engineers cabins and the entrances TO
the main saloon and the smoking and
music saloons. The passenger cabins.
the dining saloon, the ladies' retiring
rooms. etc. were located on the third or
main deck, which was able 10 accommo.
date $40 lirst-class passengers, 30 second
class aud 10 third-elass or Storage pas
sengers., the fourth, or lower deck, was
SO butt That as feNlgencles required ~
could be Used for either steerage passen-
gers or cargo. II used for the former
purpose alone 1000 persons could be ac-
commodated. The tiItb, or lower deck,
was used exclnsiyely for the storage OF
cargo" e.s,a fa
Nothing could surpass the decorative
arrangements of the grand saloon, which
was located in the fore partof he vessel
The floor was laid with parquetue tiles,
and the ceiling was picture Of cornices,
scroll work and holdings decorated in
white and gold. The sides wete finished
in naRels OF polished satInwood The
length Of the saloon was siN'yhya iPet,
the Widgh fity-two feet aud the hQbgnt
from 1laor TO ceiling was nlue feet. Toe
entire vessel was lighted CA the EdisOp
incandescent plan, of which siXty-two
were burned in the saloon alone. Each
cabin was supplied with a separate lamp.
which could be switched oil or on at will
by the occupant.
The Oregon's engines had three cylln-
ders, the high pressure being "a inches in
diameter, and the two low pressures
each 1914 inches in diameter with piston
stroke Of 70 feet, inches. Nine boilers
supplied the enormous quantity of steam
required aud were made OF steel plates
They were IS feet, 0 inches long and l6
feet, inches in diameter. Each boiler
was composed OF 8 corrugated furnaces,
making the total number =. The boilers
though not intended TO bear more than 10
pounds of steam, were, before being put
in, subjected TO pressure Of 220 pounds
to the square inch.
The Oregon had four masts made of the
best iron, the fore and main having
yards. She had eleven water-tigbt com
partments. Steam steering gear with the
lateet improvements was employed tor
operating the rudder, but band gear was
also constructed in connection with 1t
| which could be used In case accident Oc-
| Cured to the former, The wheelhOuee,
| in which this machinery was situated,
was under the after turtle deck. Ten
large life boats were carried above the
promenade deck as far as possible out of
reach Of breaking seas.
The maiden trip Of the Oregon was
begun from Liverpool on Oct. 6. 1883 At
noon Of the following day she passed
Fastnet, and up TO noon OF Oct. s she ae-
cOmplished 400 miles. The trip was made
in exactly days, 8 hours and 33 minutes.
She made her fastest run between the
moons of Oct. IL and 10, having covered in
! that time 456 miles.
Among her passengers on that auspi-
cious occasion were the famous beauty
Mrs. Langtry, and her mother, Mrs. lie
Breton; Mai. CORVALLIS West, Lord and
Lady Bury, Col Thomas Ochiltree Ste
phen Joseph MeaBy and Mr.. Joseph Hat
ton, Gen. Meister and Mr.. Litbgow James.
The Oregon was commanded by CommO-
dore Price, to whom, on his birthday,
which occurred on the conclusion Of the
voyage, the delighted passengers pre-
scented purse. The engineer was also
remembered by Mr.. Benjamin Brown, of
this city, WAC presented him with hand
some gold watch. .n.es .9l q
The Oregon was one Of the vessels char
tered last year by the English govern
ment FOR thu threatened Egyptian warn