Delaware gazette and state journal. (Wilmington, Del.) 1883-1902, 1890-10-02
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FhES hhhNo onh a hLfhf ThIP
-
SnIati Stoamer, Constructed 0r
tho Norton system, 10 Gross ,ht
Atlantic.
The snug little steam yacht +. l. Nor.
ton, built according to the Norton avs
tenn of water ballast, Ia expected 10 cross
she Atlantic ocean in November. She
will be the smallest steamer that hos ever
attempted the hazardous Feat. He,
owner has no doubt of her ability to dc
1t, as experiments and experience have
demonstrated that it will be almost i'm.
possible to capsizs a boat Of the Nor i
construction, and that they are lighter
on the water than any boat made A
sailing boat OF the same system Of con.
struction, not ss long as the steamer,
crossed the Atlantic not long ago in 80
days, withou; accident.
Captain +. L. Norton, the inventor OF
the new system, was in this CITY two
years ago and had one or two boats con
atructed by Banner \ Mum. The new
system was fully described OF that time.
Suffice it to say row, that the Norton
boats have double bottom. Water is
admitted through holes il the lover bet
tom and when the boat career & the body
of water between the bottom presses
aRsinst air in the upper part OF tue ballast
reservoirs, comprising it and making a
cushion, prevents the boat from capsizing
end causing her to quickly regain an
even keel.
The F. L. Norton came to the Pusey u
Jones yard about month or more ago.
Shs was then sailing vessel aud came to
be furnished with boiler and engine.
These hays been put in and the vesselas
nearly ready TO start on her trans Atlantic
voyage. She lie 50 feet long over all 50
feet on the keel ~ feet beam and 0 feet
depth Of hold. Her hull is Of wood and
was built at Alexandria, Va, and the
upper works and schooner rigging wera
put on OF Tottengille, Staten leland. The
cabin and other quarters on the boat are
naturally rather oramped, but they are
conveniently arranged and nicely fin
ished. The engine, which has been
put in, is Of the compound type and 80
horse power. The cylinders are 81 and
109 inches in diane ter and 10 inches
stroke. The boiler ia built to stand Il
/ sessure OF 1876 pounds OF gteam to th
square inch.
Captain Norton, her inventor and
owner, expects to make the trip to
Europe, with crew Of four i've men,
and although no estimate OF the time in
which it is expected 10 make the trip has
been made, thinks it will ba about Is
days. She vii carry four tons of coal in her
bunkera and room can probably be mads
for two more tons il necessary. After
leaving this city the steamer wild go 10
New York and await Captain Norton's
pleasure for sail ng. In order not to run
out of coal the voyage will be made by
stages, and Halifax, N. g., will be the
first port made for, where she will GOAL
Then her PROV will be turned eastward,
with Queenstown 40 her destination, and
from there to any English or Europ can
ports Captain Norton cares to visit.
Capt. Norton is confident OF the perfect
seaworthineBs OF his vessel. Tests were
made of the smaller one, which crossed
the Atlantic under sail, by the French
government, with the view Of the adop-
ton Of the system for the life-aaying
service, with satisfactory results. Pre-
vious to the departure OF the Norton, the
United States government will inspect
and test her with q view OF ascertaining
the adaptability of the system Tor our
life-esving service, for which Captain
Norton makes particular claims
The steamer, as sailboat, came from
Jacksonville, Florida, last March, meeting
with two heavy gales on the voyage, but
not putting into any hArbor until this
CITY was reached. For boat SO small this
demonstrated its great buoyaney and
safety.