Reporter and farmer. [volume] (Webster, Day County, Dakota [S.D.]) 188?-1946, 1893-05-25
ANOTHER BIG 'UN.
The Great Passenger Whaleback
.Christopher Columbus"
Clears for Chicago.
Will Garry Passengers to and
from the Worlds Fair
Its Proportions.

The big whaieback, Christopher
1 Columbus, which was built for the
passenger traffic to and from the
worlds fair, has left the barge works
at West Superior for Chicago.
The Christopher Columbus was
built for the Worlds Fair Steamship
Company and was launched from the
yards of the American Steel Barge
Company at West Superior, Saturday,
Dec. 8. 1892. The vessel is built en-
tirely of steel and is 362 feet long, AZ
feet beam and "a feet moulded depth.
1t is built on the ordinary whaleback
] principles and has seven elliptical
shaped turrets, a portion OF which
contain stairways to the saloon above,
while Others contain steam windlass,
, ~smokestack, air fans, ash hoists, etc,
The steel deck is laid over tops OF
\ turrets, and forms in connection
Herewith a splendid truss to support
the entire length OF the vessel and
thoroughly stiffen it against any I'M
due stress of weather. The vessel
has a double bottom extending fore
! and aft, AZ inches deep, giving a
water ballast capacity Of nearly 1000
tons. The compartments are built
on the Mcintyre principle, with
nine girders three feet apart, and
braced with angle irons to the floor
plates. There are nine water-tight
bulk-heads, and In addition, from her
nose in the forepeak, there extends a
s~fore-and-aft bulkhead AZ feet long.
Ten spacious gangways each side of
the shell deck and foar between decks
provide ample facilities for loading
and unloading passengers.
The first and most natural part for
inspection is between decks, or that
part Of the leviathan that forms the
cylindrical hull. Except for boiler
casings, stairways, ETC., the deck
forms IN large promenade.
In the stern is a large apartment
or gentlemen, containing lavatories,
water closets, washstands, etc, in
Italian marble .ith nickel-plated
trimmings of a very costly descrip-
ion. Back of this is the boot black
tands. In the hold, forward, is a
ommodious beer hall, and amidships,
lso In the hold, is a spacious and ele-
antly equipped cafe. In the hold
will be fitted up two elegant barber
hops.
\ The saloon above the turrets is In
ne apartment and is finished In
uarter sawed oak throughout. The
windows, which are numerous and
pacious, bear, sand blown into the
lass, types of water crafts, including
very conceivable design, from Noah's
srk TO the modern whaleback. The
aides toilet reem aft at end of main
falcon is a veritable palace in the
ray Of elaborate provisions for COM
sDrt. 1t is furnished in Italian mar
lie and contains splendid washstands,
losets, full length mirrors, etc. In
tle center OF the saloon, forward of
&c smOkestack, are placed two mag
ificent sea water fountains, between
hich is fitted a large aquarium,
hitch it Is intended will contain
3me beautiful specimens of the
Amous Lake Superior trout. Two
aegant domes and skylights, in col
ed glass, give light to forward and
1t stairways. These during the day
aye a marvellous effect when viewed
ON the saloon, and Illuminated by
% brilliant incandescents by night
e simply bewildering as viewed
eDn the exterior. /,
The furniture in the saloon is ele-
ut and costly, and embraces loung- !.
chairs, couches, etc, of oriental
Sc and n~agnifcence; it Is placed in
G center OF the vessel, leaving large
1eyways on either side al promen-
es. .
IN II promenade deck b life +,
ats, Is in all, are fixed, and their
aominess, and the profusion of life
OBSERVERS both here and throughout
her parts OF the vessel, inspire a
sling of absolute safety that cannot
st be enjoyed by the most timid of
ssengers. The quarters Of the cap
Din, chief officers, mates and wheel
IN are located In the Texas on this
11ck. Tae pilot house, forward of
e Texas, is a handsome and roomy
ucture and contains the wheels,
mpasses, etc. The top of the Texas :
III fitted with bars, handrails seats, (,
", and forward Of that is the flying /,
ddge, the home OF the navigator.
the forward end Of the promenade
ok the standard compass is placed.
~ae pinnacle Is of German silver, I,
srne on an exquisite dolphin stand.
ac ventilator pipes. above. referred
8 awararrtad fhrnruh fhis AacE opd