The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1897-03-18
LARGEST In THE WORLD
Schooner Frank A. Palmer Launched
at Bath, Ne.
Has Five Masts and Carrying Capac-
ity of35OO Tons Of Coal.

Bath, March 1s.-The schooner Frank "A.
Palmer, the largest in its class on tho
high seas, was successfully launched here
at 1910 tlis afternoon.
The vessel was brilliant with flags and
streamcrs. Bright sunshine and a gentle
breeze made it "a perfect day for tho event.
There was no unexpected incident about
the work of releasing the schooner, and as
she gained headway on her course toward
the water Miss Grace Palmer, daughter OF
Frank "A. Palmer and niece of tho builder
Of the vessel, performed the act of christen-
ing with bouquet OF roses. 1t was the
18th birthday of the fair maid who thus
gave the craft her name and in whose
honor the launching was set down for
today Thousands of spectators witnessed
the launching and as the schooner took
her plunge, cheers mingled with the
shrill sound of steam whistles and other
noisy demonstrations broke forth on all
sides. Tho sails of the schooner are al
ready bent and she will DE ready for sea
in few days. She will engage i'm both
coastwisc and foreign trade. She viii
be commanded by Captain Il. j.. Gardner
formerly commander of the schooner
Lewis J. Rabel y. Palmer will be the
manager
The vessel measures 26l feet on the keel :;
from the end of the iibboom to the end of
the spanker boom 4l5 feet. 1t is 43 feet
in width, II feet depth of hold, with deck
feet l0l5 inches deep. IL will be of about
2)50 gross tons and will have carrying
capacity of about $500 tons of coal. 1t is
about 80 feet longer than the weli-known
Governor Ames
The vessels lower masts are five sticks of
Oregon pine, 81 inches i'm diameter and l1S
feet in length, with foretopmast II inches
in the cap and 81 feet long, while the
other topmasts are of the same length, but
are IL inches in the cap. The bowsprit is
39 feet outboard and 80 by 32 inches in
diameter. The jibboom is 81 inches in
the cap and 20 feet long. The spanker
boom is 81 feet long and 20 inches in the
slings. The other booms arc J6 feet long
and the gaffs 53 feet in length and 1874
inches in diameter.
The sails are of the best Woodbury. duck
and spread over 5000 yards. The rigging
Is all set up with turn buckles, including
the backstays, topmast rigging and all
bows prit gear.
The schooner has all the latest devices
in labor-saving machinery on board,
which is the heaviest ever put into a sail
ing vessel. The chains are 21S inch iron,
2l0 fathoms long. There is also an evap-
orator, the first ever put on IA schooner,
which will be used on long voyages for
converting salt water into fresh for all
uses.
In this vessels frame over 415 tons of
white oak timber were used, also in her
construction over $50, 600 feet of hard pine
-rrd f5e-tons of iron. Her cabin Is one of
the handsomest ever put into merchant
vessel 1t is 81 feet long, finished i'm oak,
sycamore, ash and cherry, while the state
rooms are sheathed in hard. pine. Much
gold leaf has been used in the cabin deco
rations, which are marvels of beauty The
captain, +. c. Gardner, West Pembroke,
Me-, who formerly commanded tho
esf.IA Il nxt~i. II gaI.. xk,fn L..
CANT quarters, ms his room will be fitted
with "a nice bed, couch, rollstop desk and
other furniture. Opening from it will be
"a bath room with hot and cold water.