Telegram-herald., 1889-05-30

ma balloon tales OF the actual jules
Verne. Those who live In inland cities
and have never seen an ocean steamship
AN Etruria on City Of Paris, for instance
can form no adequate conception of
the nobleness Of its outward appearance
or the magnihcence OF its interior
There is absolutely nothing left unpro-
vided for the comfort and enjoyment of
the passengers, and no better idea Of the
greatness Of this century can be formed
than In the contemplation OF the enor-
nous difference between the crude and
uncomfortable sailing packets of the Eigh-
tecnth century and the splendid steam
leviathans of the present day.
The new twin screw steamship Angus
ta-Victoria $50 called after the present
empress of Germany ranks in beauty of
design, splendor Of furnishing and swift
ness with the best ocean liners afioat.
She is one of the new vessels of the Ham
burg American line, and recently made
her first trip To New York from South
ampton in remarkably fast time.
She is 400 feet long, 90 feet wide and
80 feet deep. Her tonnage is 10000
horse power 12,500. and minimum speed
at sea 10 knots, or 2ls miles an hour.
She has five decks-a promenade deck,
upper and main decks, and steerage and
orlop decks. A new system of bulk
heads makes the vessel practically un-
sinkable. She has two engines. in two
separate compartments, subdivided by
water tight bulkhead, each set driving a
separate screw, and as each of these en-
gines acts Independently of the other,
the steamer is expected to have at all
times sufficient headway to answer her
helm, 80 that in case of a mishap TO one
of her engines there will be no greater
delay than of few hours at the utmost.
Briefly put. this vessel has its whole
machinery duplicated. There are two
distinct sets of boilers, two engines, two
shafts and two screws, both sets work
ing independently of each other and
separated by the one solid longitudinal
bulkhead running through the whole
length of the ship from stem to stern,
from the keel to the upper deck, and
dividing the vessel into two non-com-
municating halves, of which each is
fully equipped to propel the ship.
The rudder is of enormous size and of
new and improved shape, and so con-
nected with the steam steering gear that
the greatest ease and utmost rapidity of
maneuvering is secured, but the steering
power of the ship can be increased at
will by the twin screws, so that if one
Df 10 = Ia. Ha otl
ahead, the vessel can be turned almost
within its own length. And if ever the
rudder should become unmanageable or
get lost, the ship would still remain un-
der full control, its course being readily
directed by the independent action of
the twin screws.
All parts of the steamer are illuminat-
ed by electric light. The accommoda-
tions for passengers are of the most lux
urious kind, the various saloons being
fitted up in the most artistic manner.
There are a music room and two first
cabin saloons, one 81 feet by 30 feet on
the promenade deck, far away from all
obnoxious odors, the other 40 feet by 20
feet on the main deck. There is also a
commodious smoking room, with bar
adjoining. All staterooms are provided
with electric bells connected with the
stewards pantry; they have also n ward
robe. and all toilet conveniences.
The ladies' saloon. situated in the best
part Of the ship, is gem of superb fur
nishing. Adjoining the ladies' saloon is
the music room, the decorations Of which
are in keeping with the general taste
displayed. 4 grand piano is placed in
tho center of the room. The ship carries
a band Of musicians. which gives a concert
twice each day. The bill of fare on this
steamer. as indeed on all of the first class
steamers. is equal to that served in the
best hotels OF Europe.
The Columbia, the sister ship Of the
Aususta-Victoria, is rapidly approach
ing completion at Birkenkead on the
Mersey. in England.