The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1892-12-19
A MONSTER NEW VESSEL
Proposed Steamship. to be Fifteen
Hundred Feet Long.
NEW TYPE OF ATLANTIC LINER,


The large steamers that are being built
will probably mark the limit to profita-
BILE advance In size and speed with
the present model OF Atlantic passenger
steamers. Greater speed necessitates
greater length, breadth, depth, and
draught. The limit OF draught suitable
for harbors will soon be reached. More
over, the increase OF tonnage, propelling
power, and cost is at much higher ratio
han that of the passenger capacity.
Ten years ago s750,000 was about the
cost of the large ships, then the cost
rapidly advanced with the rivalry In
speed, till now they cost $1,000, 900, and
the latest Cunarders will cost half n mil
lion more, while those of the White Star
line will be at least $1,000, 900. The pas
senger area of 700 foot steamer is not
much greater that OF one OF $50 feet, the
speed only about two knots faster.
Our engraving illustrates new design
for an Atlantic passenger steamer in
which greatly increased length is secured
without proportional increase of draught
and beam.
The proposition is to construct a sys-
TEN of nine hulls OF special model con-
nected In three trains of three hulls each,
the centre train being the principal part
Of the craft, and extending 225 feet for
ward and 200 feet abaft Of the other two
trains, the whole forming an outline sim
liar to that OF an ordinary ship. The
total length would be 1,440 feet; breadth
over three trains 142 feet, to outside OF
floats 1870 feet; midship draught of centre
train, IS feet; midship beam at water
line, As feet; pidship beam at main deck
90 feet; midship draught OF outer trains
i2 feet; midship beam at water line, q
feet; midship beam at main deck, 80 feet
displacement of centre train, Is, 900 tons
Of outer trains, each 5 ESQ tons; total dis
| placement about 26,0OO tons. The pro-
pelling power would consist of seven en-
zines. three in centre train Of 10000
horse power each; two in forward Sec
tions of outer trains, 900 each; two in
stern sections, 5000 each-a total o.
| 80. 900 horse power, driving seven pairs o.
paddle wheels Of 81 and SO feet diameter
| and feet wide, and having q dip OF
| feet.
This steamer would carry no cargo
and, owing to the system OF construction
| would require no ballast, so that the en-
tire tonnage capacity would be available
for engines and fuel. She would be in
| tended for only first and second clas
passengers, and have accomm odation 70
| 2C0O.
| The sections would be held in position
| by a system of flexible connectors, con
sisting of massive steel transverse grid
ars, 10 feet deep, having rocker end
bearing against uprights connecting tn
upper and lower decks. The ends OF tn
rockers would bear against series o
aea~p half elliptic springs, having fiex
ible strength OF 30 and rs tons each
These springs would extend along tn
upper and lower decks, and would stiffe
and check the motion of the rockers.
trong wire cable would be fastened i
he end OF the rocker, then pass over
,oller secured in the upper deck, theme
iown under a similar roller in lower dec
and connect with the other end OF th
rocker. A second cable would be fas
tened to the inner side OF In
spring, pass around the roller, an
connect with the rocker so a
TO act reciprocatingly.
There would be hinged to the bottor
" the forward section sliding plates tina
would extend under the bottom OF tn
adjoining section, thus forming an eve
and continuous bottom from stem I
tern of each train.
| II is estimated that 5000 tons OF stet
would be used in the construction OF tn
connectors and in the strengthening {
the parts Of the sections where the grea,
st strain would occur. The hulls woul
be entirely OF steel.