Morning journal and courier., 1891-07-20
THE LUCINDA sUrToN.


The Largest vessel Ever built I'm
Connecticut-To be Launched To-
Morrow-The schooner Too Large
to Go Under Brooklyn Bridge.
At the shipyard of Henry Sutton in |
West Haven the big four masted schooner
Lucinda Sutton the largest vessel ever
built between New York and Boston, is
nearly ready for the water and Will be
launched tomorrow morning at high tide,
which will be about 10 o'clock. A large
concourse of people will be present at the
launching if the weather is fine, and many
will be permitted to the vessels deck. Last
fall the schooner Lyman ID. Law was con-
structed by the same builders and was
launched at their yard. At that Il me the
Law was the largest vessel ever built in
this state, but Mr.. Sutton has now again
beaten the record with the LucindaSutton,
named in honor of his wife. The new YES
sci is five feet longer and six inches deeper
than the Law. This addition to the di-
mansions makes several tons difference in
the carrying capacity of vessels.
w. N. Gesner, the veteran shipbuilder
of the firm of Gesner & Mar, who built
the vessel for Mr. Sutton is the Oldest iv-
ing Eactive shipbuilder in this country.
He came from New York city to New Ha-
ven for visit forty-eight years ago when
he was induced to build vessel here. AT
ter that vessel was constructed he COM
menced another and has been engaged in
shipbuilding in this vicinity ever since.
His first partnership was styled Gesner
& Baldwin. They built many fine ships
at Fair Haven. Later Mr.; Gessner had
charge of c. S. Bushnell's shipyard at
Fair Haven, where vessels used by the
United States government during the war
we're repaired.
The Lucinda Sutton was commenced
last fall and has been in the works ever
since. The dimensions of the new schoon-
er are as follows: Length of keel, 203
feet; depth of hold, in clear, IS feet 8
inches; breadth of beam, Al feet; length
of rail over all, 237 feet; from end of jib-
boom to spanker boom, 1921 feet; from bot
tom of keel to the truck, 152 feet 8 inches.
Mr.. Gesner, in giving the dimensions,
not go under Brooklyn bridge without
taking down her topmasts.
The register of the new schooner is:
Gross tonnage, 1,496.63; net tonnage,
1,412.3O.
Henry Sutton is the managing owner of
the vessel, which will cost about $74, 900 fit
ted ready for sea, and she is splendid addi-
ton to the Sutton feet of vessels, all built
at West Haven shipyard. Other owners
are Gesner & Mar, Van Name & King,
W. w. Ward, L. NJ. Law of Booth & Law,
J. D. Dewell, John w. Nichols, L. G. Pfaff,
T. Attwater Barnes
Mr.. Gesner performed creditable piece
of work when he modelled the new schoon-
or, which presents an imposing picture
now and will appear much better on the
water, especially when all her sails are set.
The vessel has sharp bow, which indi-
Gates speed. With the large number of
big sails to be carried, it is presumed that
the vessel will be as speedy as any vessel
of this size. The construction of the
schooner combines speed with large carry
ing capacity, which is very desirable for
quick transportation of large cargoes. The
new schooner is adapted to sailing to any
port and may be sent to Japan, as freights
from that port are now quite profitable.
A fine crayon portrait of Mrs. Henry
Sutton, for whom the vessel was named,
hangs in the cabin. The captains cabin
| is large and elaborate, with stateroom con-
Meeting with bathroom and water closet
| Extra be1ths are provided for guests of the
| captain. Fine quarters are also provided
| for the first mate and the other officers and
crew.
Both the cabin and forecastle are heated
by steam. The cabin is 80 by % feet
There are forward and after cabins, eight
staterooms, pantry and bath room. The
ceiling is of ash with mahogany panels
| The floors are laid with Brussel carpeting.
| Staterooms have spring beds and the best
| appointments. The vessel will draw 81
| feet light and 81 feet loaded.
Captain H. A. O'Brien, formerly Of
| Thomaston and late commander of the w.
| w. Ward, will command the new vessel
| The first mate is Captain James t. Scharf
formerly commander of the N. Easter
| brook, jr Captain w. L. Blake succeeds
Captain O'Brien on the w. w. Ward.
| The Lucinda Sutton has steam power
that can be used in handling cargoes and
hosting sails or the big anchors, or il
working the pumps.
| This steam power cannot be used as 6
propelling power.
| The pumps are very powerful, and in
case of accident would be able to keeI
down the water from big leak. There
are also hand pumps that can be used il
| the steam pumps fail.
| There are two immense anchors weigh
ing 4,577 and $500 pounds respectively
| with $50 fathoms of chain of two inch
iron, weighing fifteen tons. To ride out 6
heavy gale these chains would be fastened
together and attached to the larger anchor
These anchors are heavier than usual fol
special safety for the new craft.
There ale tanks for $500 gallons OF
water, supply for a long voyage. The
steering gear is of an improved pattern.
with the screw system instead of the old
fashioned rope purchase. The vessel will
carry eleven men and can be run as cheap
ly as 1900 ton vessel.
Her sails will be of about 5000 yards
with 200 yards of canvas for sail covers
The sails will be as follows: Fore, main
mizzen and spanker; the four topsails
staysail, jib, flying jib, jib topsail, and out
er jib topsail. The spanker alone is of 60(
yards The sails cost about $4,000.
The contractors were Gesner & Mar
carpenters Mr.. Griswold of Bath, Me-,
joiner; G. D. Hall, blacksmith; James B.
Sutton of Mystic, spar builder; Francis
Lowe & Co. of Boston, riggers; Sanford
Doty, calker; Van Name & King, sails
Bowditch & Prudden, furniture, and H. B
Perry, carpets. Charles w. Berkele has
executed all the carved work from new de-
signs of his own invention.
Mr.. Frank G. Bushnells daughter, Miss
Lottie, is to perform the ceremony Of
breaking bottle of wine over the bow
spirit at the launching of the Lucinda SUIT
ton.