The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1891-06-21

-
of what the above dimensions mean, or to
help those who have never seen one of
these floating palaces to realize the enor-
nous amount of constructive talent, adap-
tive skill and artistic feeling, as well as
money, that they represent. In the words
of the Engineer: at is perhaps because it
seems almost impossible to do so gigantic
subject justice, that the literature, if we
may use the word. of Atlantic passenger
steamships is deplorably meager."
Nothing that art and science can do to
render the ship beautiful without and
within, luxurious, safe and swift is left
out of account. In addition to being mi
nutely subdivided by athwartship bulk
heads there is a longitudinal bulkhead
running fore and aft and forming
mighty backbone that gives additional
rigidity to the whole structure, greatly in
creasing the security in event of accident.
Furthermore, the doors closing the differ
ent compartments can be shut instantly
from the flying deck by pulling small wire
ropes, while there are automatic arrange
ments by which these doors will close of
themselves if the water rises unduly in
the bilges.
As to the fittings and furnishings that
contribute to the ease and comfort of the
fortunate passengers it would require col
umns 10 describe them. The chief archi-
tectural feature in such steamers is, of
course, the saloon, which becomes BAN
quoting hall of almost awesome brilliancy.
The length often exceeds sixty feet, and
the breadth is but little less. Fancy so
vast an apartment being at ones COM
| mand in mid-ocean.
| Standing under the lofty dome of many
colored glass and gazing about at the null
titudinous mirrors, the golden figures of
tritons, nymphs and mermaids disporting
in an ivory sea- the richly carved cabinet
work in English oak, and the great round
ports in their elaborate setting of rich
brass repousse work, one cannot quickly
| grasp the idea that all this splendour is
simply part of vessel-of a ferry-boat
| plying between the Old World and the
! Newt seems to belong more properly to
the palace of some mighty monarch.
The same feeling is produced by the
sumptuous staterooms with their wide
four-post bedsteads of cleaning brass, the
spacious library Astounding in books, the
gorgeous smoking-room fit for a princes
use, and the other departments of this
ocean monarch, on board OF which the
population of a good-sized town might
stow away comfortably, for her normal
carving capacity is 800 saloon passengers,
I75 second-class and S55 steerage, making
up with the l6s engineers, etc, in the en-
| gine-room, the 40 sailors in the forecastle,
the % cooks in the galley and the 60 stew
ards in the pantry, nearly 900 souls; 3, 600
tons of coal and 1900 tons of cargo being
carried beside.
Here then We have excellently illus
trated the utmost that man. so far at
least, has achieved in the line of naval
architecture for the passenger service.
Competing lines viii no doubt make it
their business to see the latest addition TO
the fleet and go one better. They will,
perhaps. succeed in effecting some further
Improvements, but IL is not likely that
much antecedent to Bellamy's A. ID. 1000.
at all events, we will have any such marine
monarch as that outlined in the following
words:
"She Will be over a quarter of mile in
length, and will do the passage from
Sandy Hook 10 Liverpool in thirty-six
hours. being one night out She will be
driven by electricity, and in such fashion
rs 10 keep railway time, despite fog or
storm. Passages can be secured by flash
photo, 'Edison's patent and the ticket
1
| ticket, or seat in church pew
the opera-house, concert hall and church
being all on board. A covered ring for
horse exercise will also be provided, and a
racing rack for fast trutters. A base
ball ground and tennis courts will also
form portion of the attractions. For
business men a stock exchange will be
operated. the quotations being posted from
the tckers every two minutes on the vibra.
ton system. The leading papers OF all
countries Will be reprinted each morning
by the electric reelection system. A spa
cious conservatory. containing the choicest
| flowers OF ali climates, viii afford an
| agreeable lounging place, and bouquets
| viii be provided gratis. 3"
A remarkable feature about the develop-
ment OF ocean steam navigation is its as
founding rapidity. Putting aside the
Savannah. which was really a sailing shin
| with steam merely as an adjunct. and
which made the transatlantic trip IN 1919
| the first ocean steamer was the ROYAL VIII
liam. that crossed from Quebec 10 London
In the year 1881. using coal all the way.
and taking nearly three weeks 20 make the
passage. She was paddle steamer Of $50
tons burden, clumsy craft that would
nowadays be considered Lit only for coal