Evening star., 1895-06-19
THE NEW RIVER BOAT
The Newport News Makes Her First Trip
Upstream.
She Now Lies at Her Dock in WASH
inEtOn-A Trial Trip in
Rough Water.

The new river steamer, the Newport
News, made her first arrival at the Wash
inston dock this morning at O'Clock hay
ing left Norfolk at 6:10 last night, and
made the trip without let hindrance or mis-
hap. The time could have been reduced
about two hours on the trip, but there was
no desire to make a record in advance of
a schedule. The Newport News was in
charge OF Capt Geoghegan, who has for
several years commanded the Norfolk and
he expresses himself as highly pleased with
his new craft. She behaves WELL minds
the signals beautifully, and can make a
maximum speed of twenty-one and a half
miles an hour party, comprising the
oh1cers and directors of the Washington
and Norfolk Steamboat Company went
down from here Monday night to take for
mai possession, and the ceremony was
made quite impressive on the part of the
Soo1 people of Newport News.
A Presentation.
The main saloon of the new steamer was
crowded with the leading men of Newport
News and the party of Washingtonans
when Mr.. S. E. Pickford of Newport News
formally turned ever the steamer and
presented the company with a fine quarter
ed-oak cabinet saloon table as token of
esteem in return for the courtesy of the
company in naming the steamer after
their town. He closed his remarks by re-
citing Longfellows Launching of the
snip. William E.. Clark, president of the
Norfolk and Washington Steamboat Co,
in accepting the steamer and testimonial
on the part of the company made a nice
little speech He then called upon Vice
making the prediction that the day is not
far distant when Newport News will rank
as the leading shipping point in America
Mr.. A T. Britton was called upon, and
:. a fh.l Cl,.,
Building and Dry Dock Company upon the
construction and speed of the ship, and
the good people of Newport News upon the
good taste displayed in their handsome
testimonial c. B. Orcutt, president of the
Newport News Ship Building and Dry
Dock Company. responded briefly, outlining
the growth of the shipping interests of
Newport News and invited the assembly
To collation. in the large dining hail OF
the steamer.
Trial Trip.
The steamer then put out for trial trip
in rough water. going as far as the Cape
Henry lighthouse, and from Fortress Mon
roe light to Cape Henry light, a distance
of seventeen and seven-tenths miles. She
developed the speed Of twenty-one and a
quarter miles per hour against a head
wind and heavy sea. The board of direc-
tors of the Norfolk and Washington Steam
boat Company held a meeting with Presi-
uent w H. T. oldTk, presiding. X. h. Pink
inton, acting secretary, and the following
directors present: Levi Woodbury. A T.
Britton, r. F. Baker George w. Pearson,
John Boyd and H Libby. Resolutions We're
passed accepting the vessel and expressing
thanks to General Manager John Callhan,
who has superintended the construction of
the company's boats and the successful
conduct of its general business.
The new steamer will lie at her wharf
here all day Sunday, and the public is in
vited to inspect her. During the overhaul
ing of the other two steamers the New
port News will make alternate night trips
until July 1. Beginning July she will
make trips to Norfolk in the day time.
The Newport News is a 1JO0-ton shin.
fifteen feet longer than her sister ships
much faster, and contains ninety state
rooms. The furnishings are elaborate and
the heavy pieces of oak furniture are rich
ly upholstered in brown corduroy with
Louis XVI design. The interior woodwork
is enameled white, picked out in gold In
artistic mermaid designs and panelings.
Among those in the Washington party
We're Gen. j. A. Dumont. general supervis-
ing steamboat inspector of United States
government; Mr.. ard Mrs. A. T Britton.
Mr.. and Mrs. A. B. Brown, Mr.. and Mrs,
John keyworth, Mr. and Mrs. George Pear
son and son, Mr.. and Mrs. r. F. Baker,
Mr.. and Mrs. VIM. E. Clark Mrs Stock
dale, Levi Woodbury., Mrs. Charles Wood
bury and daughter John Callahan, Daniel
Frasier, John Boyd, Fred C. Gieseking, Mr.
and Mrs. VIM. A. Hungerford and Capt
Lamberton.