Delaware gazette and state journal. (Wilmington, Del.) 1883-1902, 1892-01-21
A SUCCESSFUL LAUNCH.
The Steamer New Hampshire of
the Stonington Line.

Launched ut tho Yards of tho Harlan g.
Hollingsworth Co. ON Saturday After
noon--visitors From New York Wit
ness tho Event.
The steamer New Hampshire, the second
OF the twin steamers building by the Har-
Ian ~ Hollingsworth Company for the
Stonington Line, was launched on Satur-
day. She could have been launched
month ago, but her machinery not being
ready the ceremony was postponed. Work
on her continued however. Her sister
boat, the Maine, was launched October
3lst last and is well along towards compile
ton.
Before o'clock a crowd of over 500 per
sons assembled at the yard to witness the
launch. Among the visitors from New
York were the following officers of the
Providence IL Stonington Steamship Com
pany:
J. w. Miller, President; Samuel b. Bah
cock, Vice-president; George NJ Miller,
George DeiIaven Edward +. Taft, ]. o.
Riker, Directors; Richard Deming, As
sistant TO the president; Samuel j. Clark,
Superintendent; o. ii. Briggs, General Pas
senger Agent.
They came over in President Miller's
private car, and were accompanied by
commodore Elridge Gerry, the celebrated
New York yachtsman.
AT 2.3O o'clock, everything being in
readiness, the word was given, the last
plank sawed and the boat glided grace
fully into the ChristiaIfa without the
slightest hitch or obstruction.
As she fairly entered the water Mrs. M.
@. Walker of this city broke a bottle of
wine over the vessels bow and christened
her the New Hampshire.
The event was watched with great in
terest BY all the spectators, who loudly
chcered as the handsome steamship
plunged from the ways into the waters of
the Chrstiana.
As the first propcllcrs to he put into SER
vice on Long Island sound, these vessels
are exciting much interest among shipping
men. II is expected that, if successful,
they will bring about a revolution in sound
travel from the old-fashioned side-wheeler
to the more modern propeller
These two vessels are to be exactly alike
in every detail. Their general dimensions
are; Length OH water-line, 302 feet 7
inches; length over all, $40 feet, beam
nodded ON load water line, a feet; width
over guards, 60 feet; draft, 12t feet.
The passenger gangway is well aft, and
leads to social hall extending the width
of the vessel. On the forward side of this
IS the grand stairway and to the rear a
ladies' cabin.
The grand stairway leads to the main
saloon, which is n magnificent apartment
.to lecJ long III tne clear, ana VIII be
decorated in white and gold with beyeled
plateglass mirrors, &c. The front of this
saloon is occupied by large parlor state
rooms finely furnished with brass bed
steads, and the occupants of these rooms
will have fine outlook.
Above this and reached by a stairway
from the forward saloon is gallery deck.
The front of,this house is ON circle which
will be used as an observation room with
nearly the entire front of glass Sliding
doors shut it off from the dining-room,
which is reached by passage between
staterooms two on side. The location of
the dining saloon on this deck is Il unique
idea which cannot fail to be popular,
especially on warm summer days when the
diningrooms on the lower deck, which is
where il is located on almost all sound
boats except those of the Prominence and
Stonington lines, become extremely hot
and stufiy; The pantry, kitchen, barber
shops, smoking-room, &c, are also on this
deck, Over the gallery is a pilot house,
which is extra large and will contain all
the latest appliances for safe navigation.
The steering gear will be the William
SON combined hand and steam gear.
There will be seven water-tight compart-
ments in each vessel, insuring perfect
safety in case of accident.
The steamers will carry besides the full
complement Of life RATS, boats. &c.
Both of these fine vessels will be fin
ished by next May, and will take their
places on the Stonington Line at the open.
ing of the next summer season.