The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1896-12-01
LA GRANDE DUcHEssE.

have made the voyage in much less time
On her first trip from Newport News to
New York, she ran sixteen and a half
knots in a thirty-mile gale, and had half
knot to spare from her contract speed.
Capt J. w. Fitzgerald, superintendent
of the Plant steamship line, who superln-
tended the building of the ship from the
time her keel was laid and knows every
timber and bolt in her, said that her
initial voyage was in every way satisfac-
tory and showed to the fullest extent her
seagoing qualities.
The Ocean Steamship wharf was lined
with people as the big ship steamed along
and threw her lines. A few minutes later
she was made fast, her gangways were
opened and her passengers disembarIked
Those who made the first voyage are:
r. T. Wilbur, Mr.. Staub, William Eli
son, s. Belsinger, W. E. Cook, Miss Dora
Perlinski Mr.. Partridge, e. M. Merrill
and wife, Miss w. e. Sherman, w
Il. Sherman, C. A. Welsch and wife,
Mr.. Depugh, e. L. Brady, Mrs ]. Grady
Miss l. Lee, Miss Nasy. Miss N. Fanan,
Miss Jessie Heasey, Miss A. Femme, M
Broughton, A. Hunter, James Simpson,
John Edwards, F. Keller. NJ. Glocher,
Miss b. Johnson, Mrs. Einstein, Miss Elm
stein, Miss L. Decker, j. Ferst and wife,
Mrs. A. b. Palmer, A. B. Palmer, Miss
V. Higgins, Mr.. Clark, Mr.. j. c. Jones,
o. d. Norton, George Sharkley, f. A.
Presson and wife, A. Gilbert, NJ D. Hart
J. Simmons, M. Soloman, F. B. Brooks
Miss Lynch, c. NJ. Hoist, Mr.. Wright
Miss Brooks, Mrs. Brooks, Miss j. Jen-
kins, Mr.. Hoist, Miss A. NJ. Lynch E.
Brooks, Miss II. Einstein, William Nc
Dennott, Joseph Hogart w Metcalf.
John Black, Frank Kleinheuz, NJ Hogan,
c. A. Wilkinson, G. S. Rivers, Mrs. .
Lee, Mrs. S. Latsty, Hilha Latsty, Charles
Nelson, T. Browncrist, Luther Lane, l..
Williams, NJ. McFadden, r. Santauch, w.
Eiten, Owen McGowen, j. Burns, w.
Chester, ]. Reynolds, G. Laff c. A. Ben
nett. w. c. Bremmer, Charles Sheeler,
Joseph Kuklain and fourteen Storage.
There has been great interest in the
building of the Grand Duchess, which,
according to the judgment of men who
are capable to judge, lays Just claim TO
being the finest vessel of her class ever
built. As she steamed up the river and
along side her dock II was easy to see her
huge proportions. though not the magnih-
cence of her appointments. Her saloons
were brilliantly lighted and the lights
shone out over her decks and rigging. But
little conception could be had, however.
except in outline, as to what she really
Is. She will be thrown open to the pub
lie tomorrow from 10 10 O'clock when
Savannahians will have an opportunity
of seeing her. Until then visitors will not
be allowed on board.
La Grande Duchesse is the largest
American coastwise steamer afoat Her
gross tonnage is 5,0l7 tons. and net 3,0Of
tons She is 4Oi feet long over all, or 3S
feet between perpendlculars. Her beam
is AZ feet inches, and her depth meas
ured from top of deck to base line. is 81
feet inches. Her draft, with 300 tons
of freight. is about II feet 10 inches. The
Kansas city, which Is the next largest
ship of the Ocean steamship line, is 4.OOC
gross tonnage, and Is 3i5 feet long. The
Grand Duchess is pre-eminently a pas
senger steamer. having accommodations
for 300 hrst-class and 400 secoud-cass pas.
eengers.
Capt. Doughty. formerly Of the Dessoug
photec the new snip up the river on her
frst entry into Savannah harbor Capt
Peter Hanlon, formerly of the Plant line
Is in command. The other officers are
First officer. J.. i. Allen; second officer
James Miller; third officer, Turner: fourth
officer, Dickey; pilot. Doughty; chief en-.
gineer Thomas Devin; purser. c.
.. Patton; steward, Henry Watson
she carries six assistant engineers
ana crew OF over 100 men
Inc Grand Duchess was concefv.
y" ny MI Plant. Fourteen vear,
~" ne built the steamship Mas
Dte, winch was supplied win
VIC hIst Triple expansion engines built IN