The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1895-04-11
ST. PAUL'S FIRST BATH
THE BIG SHIP PLUNGEs INTO THE
WATERS Of THE DELAWARE.
Mis-. Gri.com Acts ns Christcner and
wfnc-Description of the Vessel.


American liner st. Paul was successfully
launched from Cramps ship yard to-day.
and now lies on the waters of the Della
ware. cables length from her twin sister,
the st. Lous-two wonderful achievements
of modern marine architecture. American
in every feature. As If TO atone for the
conditions atmospheric and otherwise.
which rendered the trial of two weeks ago
SO unfortunate, everything was suspicious.
The weather was April in her loveliest
mood, and there was no one in that vast
multitude who did not feel and respond to
her gentle touch. Even the marine mon
ster herself, beautiful in her bigness,
seemed imbued with the influence of the
scene. She did not pause or hesitate in her
brief trinmphal journey down the ways,
but. like her celebrated prototype, she
seemed to leap with one exu,ting. joyous
bound into the embrace of the silvery
waters sparkling under the afternoon sum-
For hours before the appointed time ev-
cry entrance and approach to the yard
was packed with persons eager to witness
what Is always O great event Not a
square foot of space on either side of the
river but had Its complement. The small
boy, the workngman, the housewife and
the lady of fashion--all were there. They
stood on the common ground of enthusiasm
for what has come to be regarded as ma
tional affair. OF course the greatest ami
nation was on the christening stand. filled
to Its capacity with guests of the Cramps
and the International Navigation Company,
which owns the vessel Not the least
picturesque feature OF the scene was the
river, dotted with craft OF all kind and de-
s ScirnptiSons, which were prompt with their
moment arrived.
IT was about / o'clock when, the last tie
hush presaged the event. All eyes turned
.. e. the colossal red-black hull; the signal
then Miss Frances T.. Griscom swung aloft
a dainty little bottle of champagne clothed
81: Paul. brought il crashing down on the
ships bow with the murmured syllables
~. cnris s.iei thee ST Paul. Then there
gracefully down into the water, throwing
up siiyery showers as she went. until the
the middle of the stream. The steam
whistles shrieked until their steam was ex-
roared until it had to pause for breath.
Then the International Navigation Com
eyeTybody foiiowed suit The a auncs w aas
successfully over.
Miss Grisconl. who gave the ship its
daughter of Clement A. Grscom, presi-
dent dent Of the Navigation company. The
snip or state was represented by Gov.
Hastings and the members of the State
Legislature attn ,s Rev. pr VIM. N. Furnesss
launching he ever saw, the first being from
the navy yard in 1872 that of the Constitu-
liens who. attended the recent attempt
were not all present to-day. but there was
conferred upon their city had kept them
mere, resolved to- witness the launch 'if it
took until Christmas as one of them
DESCRIPTION OF THE VESSEL
The St. Paul is almost the counterpart of
the St Louis, differing chiefly in the steer
ing apparatus. On the ST. Louis 1t is of
the screw gear type. with Williamson's
steam hand steering engine, while on the
st. Paul Browns patent steering gear will
be used. The rudder Is of the single plate
type. The ships dimensions are. Length
between perpendicuIars, 5a5 feet; length
over all, ga feet inches: extreme beam,
81 feet inches: depth from first deck to
nat keel. AZ feet inches; depth of hold for
tonnage. amidship. Is feet 2 inches; height
80 feet; number OF decks 5: number OF
water tight compartments exclusive of ball
load displacement is. 500 tons; dimensions of
main saloon. 100 feet 4 inches by As feet;
by Sc feet: seating capacity of main saloon,
-; seating capacity of second cabin, 20S;
The propelling machinery is a pair of
vertical auadrupie expansion engines to
carry q WORKING steam pressure Of 200 200
TO 10000 collective Indicated horsepower
These are the largest and most powerful
as the principle or Quadruple expansion
has never before been applied on so large a
scale; its results in this case will be
watched with interest Hall and Watman
aa l,.f are to be used The ship win carry
fourteen ordinary lifeboats. one ordinary
cutter one gig and four metal boats.
The specifications as Of the Secretary of the
operate at least eight six-inch rifled cannon
have been mo, more than fulfilled in their con
protected by coal or other suitable material,
while their rudder area will give them ire.
them into most effective cruisers. they
can carry enough coal, cargo being ex-
at their highest speed and at the ordinary
cruisers speed-ten or twelve knots-they
plenishing their coal. a distance of about
The vessels are practically unsuitable. A
colliding boat would have to cut clear
through the engines and engine room, and
then through six feet of solid steel before
possible feat In marine accidents, general
~. where ship is struck on the bulkhead
flooded, she viii inevitably sink. In the
case OF the st. Louis and st. Paul, how
ever the subdivision is such that the ship
two compartments flooded. This unbroken
subdivision has an incidental advantage in
making them fire-proof the spread of |
fire is confined to one compartment. The
st. Paul has seventeen water-tight COM
partments, all below the next deck above |
water. There is no communication between
any. Of these, II being necessary to go upon
able to reach one from the other
The comfort and convenience of passen- |
gers have been arranged for a scale |
reaching magnificencc. There are smoking
rooms iavishly fitted, a spacious drawing |
room, a library. "a luxurious dining room |
and several large saloons. In the first of
these will be grand organ with an electrical
attachment which will enable the performer
to play the instrument from the ladies'
deck room. The ship throughout Is lighted
by incandescent lamps. and the state rooms
have ventilating side lights with automatic
valves to exclude water.
Cremation Services Not Christian.