The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1893-11-22
LAUNCHED AT BATH.
The First Steel Merchant Vessel Built in
Maine.
Especial to the Press |

lopCNihi w uLO AlCoSsJ
Bath, November 21.-Clear bracing
weather, crowd of two. thousand people,
and the successful launch of the first
steel passenger vessel ever built in
Maine, that is the record of the day.
There was goodly representation from
Bath and elsewhere when the City of
Lowell slid overheard at twenty minutes
past ten this morning Miss Edith Ball,
daughter of President Ball of thu Norwich
and New York Transportation company
christened the great beauty with the
traditional bottle of champagne The
beautiful craft glided majestically into
the Kennebec, where she was taken in
charge by the tugs Knickerbocker and
Stella, and was soon safe in her berth at
the Iron Works wharf.
A description of the vessel has recently
been given. Suffice it to say that she is
well built, handsome and speedy, for
Inspector Sault, under whose supervision
she was constructed, and by whom her
engines will be handled, is confident that
she will make over % knots. She will
plough the waters of the Sound in few
months, and.will excel anything yet seen
in those waters for beauty, comfort and
speed.
The shipyard crew and invited guests
took rest this afternoon and celebrated
the success of their efforts by banquet
at the Phoenix. Fifty plates were laid.
A musical and literary programme had
been prepared, consisting Of songs and
recita5ions by talented members of the
crew. The toasts were: 1.-THE lady who
named the boat" responded to by Gen.
Hyde; "Our superintendent, by Super
intendent G. Il. Hanscom: 1.-THE designer, "
by A. Cary Smith; "The Inspector by
Chief Engineer Samuel Sault, and sour
host and hostess" by Landlord Charles
w. WEIGH. The menu cards bore excellent
portraits of Superintendent Hanscom and
toastmaster. The committee in charge
were James Crates, J. f. Schofeld,ss j.
Dennison, George Shaw and Dunn.
The launch was witnessed by large
number of notables, among whom were
President George II. Ball of the Norwich
and New York transportation company,
Mayor A. H. Bentley of..New London C.
Board of Trade. Designer A. Cary Smith
of New York, ST. Clair Stuart, surveyor
of the American Standard Steamship
company, Inspector Samuel Sault. NJ. Nd.
Whittermore, treasurer of the Norwich
and New York line, and Chas. p. Coggs-
well, a member of the board of directors,
B. F. Vaughn of Providence, director
road, C. H. Osgood of Norwich, owner of
The Norwhal and Geo. W. Peck of Page
Bros, who is to superintend the lighting
Of the new steamer. After the launch a
number of invited guests were enter
tanned by Gen. Hyde at lunch at
Elmhurst. .
The City of Lowell is the first steel
merchant vessel ever built in Maine. She
was built for the Norwich and New York
Transportation company, is 1856 feet over
all, being 800 feet on the load water line,
is 40 feet moulded beam, or 66 feet from
guard to guard amidship, will draw ID
feet when loaded and steam at least 90
miles an hour, the general impression
being that she will do all of % miles and
beat anything she will come across.
She is twinsscrew boat, with triple
expansion engines of 26, 40 and Ga inch
cylinders, the stroke being 36sinches and
the indicated horse power about $500.
The arrangements Of the boat are ac-
cording to the latest ideas. The dining
room, kitchen and smoking room will
be on the gallery deck, which will like
wise have 35 double berth staterooms
On the saloon deck there will be 8S
double berth staterooms and rs large
staterooms with brass bedsteads and
almost hotel accommodations.
On the after main deck is n roomy
social hall, aft of which is situated the
ladies' cabin, containing six double
berth staterooms and 20 free berths. The
cabins are finished in gold and white,
and will be upholstered in plush. The
lower decks forward. and aft will be de-
voted entirely to free berth accommoda-
tions, there being 9O.forward and 102 aft.
About 100 feet of the main deck will be
devoted to freight exclusively, being en-
tirely separated from the living spaces.