Delaware gazette and state journal., 1896-01-16
,rnn L.annon Ep.
The Hampton Fonts Now Floating on the
Christiann.


The Old Dominion line steamer
Hampton Roads was successfully
launched at the yards OF the Harlan &
Hollngsworth Co. Tuesday morning.
Tho launch was under the supervision
Of Superintendent y. IL. Benson, as
sisted by William Harmon. Every
thing was in readiness and The work Of
knocking out tho blocks began at ll.30
O'Clock and at l1.4S the boat glided
quietly into the 'Christiana. Miss
Elsie Moore daughter of Postmaster
Moore, christened the boat Hampton
Roads.
Among those present were Mrs.
Enoch Moore, Miss Wilson, Rev. and
Mrs. Merritt Hulburd, Capt. j. X.
Smith, superintendent Of the Old
Dominion Line; Capt. y. Davis, master
of the new steamer; Mr.. Boys of the
Earn Line, Presieent j. T. Cause, aud
Vice President II. I. Cause of the 'Har-
Ian & Hollingsworth Co., Capt. Haskett
of the Earnwood, j. r. Cause, Rodgers
Wilson, Capt. e. N. Westcott and j.
L. Swain of Baltimore.
Tho Union jack fioated from the bow
Of the new steamer and the American
flag from the stern. Other vessels were
also decorated with flags in honor of
the occasion.
Tho keel OF the vessel was laid on
October 25th last. The general dimen-
sions are as follows: $50 feet measured
from stem TO outside Of inner stern
post 25 feet beam moulded; II feet
depth Of hold, from base line to top of
deck beams. The machinery will be
of the most modern type and will con.
sist Of triple expansion engine, high
pressure cylinder 1919 inches, inter
mediate 20a4 inches, low pressure 33
inches in diameter, with stroke Of "a
inches The shafting is of the built up
type and the engine has the See Mar
shall patent valve gear. The boilers are
what ls known as the Sloat patent side
tube pattern. They are externally fired
and are feet 4 inches mean diameter
Of shell, 2015 feet in extreme length.
They are built Of steel throughout and
were designed by Chief Engineer Sloat
of tho Old Dominion Line, on which
he holds patents.
In general appearance the Hampton
Roads resembles the City of Chester,
although slightly smaller in dimensions.
The joiner plans Of the boat will be
as follows Entering by the main gang
way AFT there Will be the social hall
with purser's office and mates room.
After this, the colored mems cabin
with upholstered seats, and extreme
aft toilet rooms. Forward of the social
hall is the smoking room. Forward Of
this is the freight space, with engi-
neer's room on one side and mems toilet
room on the other Going from the
social hall to the promenade deck by a
hardwood staircase the main saloon
is reached. In one side of the saloon
are two retiring rooms and on the OPP
posite side a ladies' toilet room and a
ladies' retiring room. The stairs for
ward is to the main deck and outside
is the stairway to the pilot house,
which has a room abaft for the captains
use. A. ~
The woodwork of the saloon will be
tastefully painted and ornamented. The
sanitary arrangements Of the boat will
be tirst-class in.egery particular and Of
the latest style.
While there is no guarantee as to the
speed of the boat, it is confidently OK
pected that she will attain at least 16
miles per hour in slack water.