Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1899-04-12
ATT NEWPORT NEWS.
GAMING LAUNCHING OF TWO ho"-
GAN LINERS.
GRAIN RATE FROM THE WEST.
President Ingalls, Decision Not 10
Abide ny the CUT haiieu WIZ"
pieasure-Thc Imports for March,
Trial Postponed.

NEWPORT NEWS, VA, April n.-(Spe-
elal) 1.-The Newport News Shlp-Building
and Dry-Dock Company will on Saturday
next launch two more large merchant
ships. they being the first two of the four
new Morgan liners to leave the ways. I'll
Norte will be launched about noon and El
Sud will follow about half an hour later.
There will be no ceremony on this occa-
sion other than THAT attendant on the
christening of ships.
IL Is understood that Miss Mary circuit,
daughter of Mr.. Calvin d. circuit. presi-
dent of the Newport News Ship-BuildinS
aud Dry-Dock Company, of New YORK.
will christen III Norte. She was sponsor
for the first I'll Norte. 1t is also under
stood that a prominent young southern
lady will be sponsor for FL Sud
While the officials of the Morgan Line
have decided that an elaborate ceremony
Is unnecessary at this time, this does not
rob the launching of any OF its impor-
fance The gates of the ship-yard VIII be
Thrown open in the morning. and the pub
lie will be given an opportunity 10 VIII
ness two more pretty launching5.
The third new Morgan liner will be
1
IN nearly ready 10 go overheard now, but
as there is no need Of rushing the launch
ing. the vessel will be completed as far as
possible before 1t is sent down the ways.
Several DAYS ago il was announced that
the name for this vessel would in all prob
ability be III Sol. but II looks very much
now as II it will be IL CID. I'll sol was
the only one of the old Morgan liners
built at Cramps, and as El Cid was built
here II would be more appropriate TO Sc
lect that name. The fourth Morgan liner
will be III Rio. the keel for which VIII be
laid when the keels for the two new
Cromwell lineis are put down. These keeis
will be laid soon after the three merchant
vessels now OH the ways are launched.
lei Rio and the two Cromwell ships,
which will be- different nom the Morgan
liners in that they Will have passenger
accommodations, will he launched this
year. making six Big launchings at the
ship-yard In one yeSr.
The aggregate cost OF the four Morgan
and two Cromwell ships is 100000 each
vessel costing 100000 Tie construction
OF all these ships Is under the personal
direction OF Mr.. Horace See. consulting
engineer for the Morgan ana Cromwell
lines.
The new ships ate OF the following di-
mensions: Length over all, 4c6 feet;
length between stem and propeller post.
$50 feet l-2 inches. breadth moulded, IS
feet; depth moulded 20 awning deck IS
feet inches: gross tonnage. 4,6o5 tons;
net tonnage 2.SS tons.
The announcement that President NJ. Il.
Ingalls,. OF the Chesapeake and Ohio rail-
road and also president OF the Big-Four
System, has given the Interstate Com
meroo Commission and competing rail-
roads 70 the East notice that he will not
abide by the unjust cut OF 30 per cent. IN
the grain differential 20 Newport News,
was received here with pleasure, as the
operation of the new rale played havoc
with grain exports for the months OF Feb
ruary and March.
The former differential in favor OF this
port was cents on the bushel, but since
January IL has been but | IL cents. The
result has been that considerable grain
was diverted from this port To other At
lantis ports. The Chesapeake and Ohio
is the most direct route from the West TO
the coast. and naturally II Is the most
convenient and cheapest for shippers. II
Is reported that the other roads leading
10 the East Will also cut their rates TO
meet the Chesapeake and Ohio. but this
road VIII not lose by IL, as IL is IN better
position TO stand cheaper rate than any
other road.
The imports for the month OF March
were next 10 the largest IN the history OF
the port. being valued at sil2.eO6. The