The Norfolk Virginian. [volume] (Norfolk, Va.) 186?-189?, 1896-07-03
THE new Line OPENED
The Steamer Atlanta, Of the Southern Rail-
ways Norfolk Baltimore Line, Arrives.
THE VESSEL, THE WHARF AND OFFICE
The Water Front Improvement. Made
by tho Company to Accommodate
inc Now Rusiness-A Lunch Served
on Board the Atlanta to a Mum
Der OF Invited Guests.

| Inc arrival of the new steamer At
ianta from Baltimore yesterday morn
ing marked the opening of the new
me established by the Southern rail-
way between Norfolk and that city.
| Inc steamer left Baltimore Wednes-
aay evening at 6 o'clock and arrived
mere Yesterday morning at 6 o'clock,
| sli LIT stopping an hour at Old Point.
The Atlanta is a veritable floating pa
race. She was built by the William
tramp d. Sons Ship and Engine Build
on lSs C .a9a ana Of Philadelphia, at cost
Length, 240 feet; beam, AZ feet. depth to-
saloon deck, rs feet. The hull is con-
, structed OF steel of the best character
Known for ship-building, and strictly
aeeoraing to the rules of the Ameri-
can snip Masters Association, all mate
rial being subjected to the most riso-
rous test and inspection.
Inc boat Is lighted throughout with
electriclty; the stem-head. stern light
and side lights are electric and she 10
provided with powerful electric search
light operated from the pilot house.
me snip is provided with u steam
steering gear, steam windlass, capstans
and cargo hosting engines.
No expense has been spared in making
the passenger accommodations most
complete. The dining-room, which Is
handsomely finished In hard wood, and
mas seating capacity for seventy per-
sons. has been located OH the main sa-
loon deck, forward, thus inSuring ample
light and ventilation, and enabling pas
sengers to command q view of the beau
ties of the Chesapeake Bay while en-
1oying the meals.
Another attractive feature of this
steamer is the location of the kitchen.
which is on the upper deck, forward OF
the smokestack, completely isolated
from the passenger accOmm odations, so
| that the necessary heat and odor of the
cooking is carried directly overheard,
causing no annoyance to the passen-
gers.
The main saloon is handsomely deco
rated in an artistic manner, and Is lux
uriously furnished. The state-rooms
are large and comfortable, fitted with
steam heat, electric lights and call bells.
The social hall is reached by a mag
nificently carved hardwood stairway
leading from the main saloon, and opens
out on the promenade deck, where the
passengers gather to admire the glories
of the Chesapeake and to discuss the
charms of this latest addition to the
fleet of this progressive company.
The officers of the new vessel are A. C.
Nickle. captain; j. S. Biddle, purser;
W. II. Stark. first officer: Edward james,
second officer; Harry Leighton, chief en-
gineer; NJ. w. Brown, first assistant
engineer NJ. NJ. Gordon, second assist
ant engineer.
The vessel brought a. good passenger
| list and n fa!r-siZed cargo of freight,
| part OF which was discharged here and
part at Primers Point. where an in
| formal lunch was served shortly after
noon 10 q number OF prominent transport
tation men and bankers of this city.
Among those present at the luncheon
were Messrs. Reuben Foster. general
manager of the Baltimore and Norfolk
| Il
raj agent of the Southern railway; Mr..
j. D.McCarrick soliciting agent OF the
line; w. A. Turk. of Washington, gene
raj passenger agent OF the Southern
railway;H. c. Ausley and ]. C. Hill,
treasurer and secretary OF the Southern
railway: Capt. y. NJ. Osborne and Wal
ter Payne, of the Norfolk and West
ern: NJ. Il. Crowell. of the Old Dominion
Line: d. j. Callahan, of the Norfolk
and Washington Line: Superintendent
owens and General Passenger Agent
Taylor. of the Atlantic and Danville
railway; James Graham. OF the North
American Transport Company; Mr..
Morrison, of the United States Ship
ing Company: Mr.. II. Il. Cooke. of the
New York. Philadelphia and Norfolk
railroad. and Mr.. Maupin, of the Nor
folk and Carolina railroad.
Every Aiing in season was served and
all possible success was wished for the
new line.
The Atlanta left for Baltimore at $50
O'Clock yesterday afternoon. The steam
er Charlotte, which will run as a sister
ship with the Atlanta, Will reach here
from Baltimore this morning. She has
heretofore been running on the South
ern's Balt.more-West Point route
The company has made many i'm
provemepts at the wharves to accommo-
date the new business which they ex-
pect to handle. A new wharf has been
constructed and handsome waiting
rooms and ticket offices completed with
the exception of the furniture, which
will be put in within THE next few days.
These waiting rooms will be for the ac-
commodation of passengers for the new
line, the Southern Railway and the Nor
folk and Washington line