The Norfolk Virginian. [volume] (Norfolk, Va.) 186?-189?, 1895-06-19
THE QUEEN OF THE Bay
The Remarkable Speed of the
Steamer Newport News.
ALarge Number of Guests on eoard
on Her Trial Trip. Several Ladies
Present. Opinions of the Y. 5.
inspectors, Dinner on
Board. The Vessel.


Yesterday aud was great success. The
snl.ndid vessel making 81 2-lO miles
per hour against strong breeze ana
high seas.
The Washington steamer which
arrived here yesterday morning
brought down from the capital the
officia,s aud number of prominent
Washington people. After the steamer
touched at her wharf In this city, she
proceeded to Newport News, renching
the shipbuilding works at o'clock.
There were already npon the GROUND
several persons from Norfolk, who had
taken tile Louise at I O'clock.
The morning was delightful, clear
eky with Just enough wind from the
northeast TO whet the appetite and give
color to the cheek.
THE sHIr's WHARF.
The Newport News was at the wharf
next to the dry.dock and was verify n
magnificent floating ppluce. She was
already prepared fer the reception OF
the officials aud their guests, 1t would
be hard to create anything for marine
navigation more beautiful, with her
Ertistically designed carpets, furniture
elegantly upholstered, MASSIVE bronze
chandeliers. from which sparkled bun.
dreds Of electric lights, deica!eiy
tinted walls aud massive mirrors, n
boat was presented the equal in rich.
ness and elegance OF any that ever
plughed the waters of Hampton Roads.
The Newport News WAS during the
afternoon visited by large number of
persons and there were only words Of
the highest praise. Everybody In that
town feels proud Of this ship and all
Yirginians
NAY DE CONGRATULATED
that within the boaders OF the old
Commonwealth there is "a plant capable
Of doing such work.
While steam was being gotten up the
officials OF the Norfolk and Washing
ton Line, the sLip building com pnny,
prominent citizens OF Newport News
and others were brought together III
the main suloon. There was something
on the inpis. but few present knew
exactly what. They were soon
to learn. however, as Captain
r. g. Beckiord, commander OF the su.
perb yacht Angie, aud though IL sea.
taring man, one of tho brightest and
brainiest members OF the Warwick bar,
arose and i'll chaste and eloquent prose.
concluding with beautiful poetic lines,
presented to the steamship Newport
News, from the citiZcus OF the city OF
Newport News.
MAGNIFICENT SALOON TABLE.
II was very appropriate speech. Re-
aponses were made by President VIM.
Z. Clark, Vice President Levi Wood
bury. General Attorney Col. A. T..
Britton and General superintendent
John Callahan. Calls were then made
for MIR. 9. Il. Orcutt, the precedent of
the ShipbuildiuS and Dry Dock Com
pany. Mr.. circuit expressed his ap
preciation that the vessel had been
named after Nirginia's prosperous
young port.
This informal meeting was pleas
ant affair, greatly enjoyed by oil pres
ent, ladies aud gentlemen alike. At
1880 the vessel was gotten under
steam and moved ont of the harbor
down the Roads to Old Point. just
after passing Old Point light her full
power was turned on and the goin 2
qualities of the new vessel was put to
FINAL TEST.
She leaped over the waves like
an ocean Greyhound. Yet, rs the
seamen say she was, las steady as
a church." Everything she passed was
standing still. Down the coast she
raced against time and the first milo
showed that the advantage was on her
side. Passing Cape Henry she
plunged into old ocean aud was
Rs much at homo az in the
smooth waters OF Hampton Roads.
Her speed was then Stacked and she
turned as If on pivot and launched
out on the return trip, her captain ex.
pecting to
BEAT THE TINE
made going ont to sea. which was
II 2-lO miles per hour. Unfortunately
link IN her steam stearing gear Cavc
way, and record of not less than Oh
miles per hour was prevented. The
captain did not thiuk il safe to mage
she test guiding the ship by hand.
The officers Of the Norfolk and
Washington Line were greatly pleased.
The Newport News had come up 10 the
most sanguine expectations.
A meeting OF the Board of Directors
was held on board the steamer, with
President Clark in the chair and Mr..
II. d. Pilkepton acting secretary.
There were present Levi Woodbury.
A. L. Britton, r, +. Baker, q. "
Pearson. John Boyd and Harry Libby
The following preambles and resolu
tions was adopted:
WHEREAS, The steamer Newort
News having on her trial trip from,
Fort Monroe Light to Cape Henry
Light, o distance OF 17.49 miles, de.
Ix@S. IL