Virginian-pilot. (Norfolk, Va.) 1898-1911, 1900-03-16
N. Y. p. s. Ms NEW STEAMER.
THE PENNSYLVANIA PROBABLY
THE FASTEST CRAFT IN
THESE WATERS

i
adelphia and Norfolk Railroad Com
pany. will probably begin to-day, as
she was coaled up yesterday and 9TH
erwise made ready for the tests.
She lay yesterday at the company's
wharr IN Norfolk, and attracted adj
mlrlng comments from all who saw her
her maiden trip from Chester, Pa,
where she was built, was made with
the Following of1icers: Captain, Ed
ward Richardson; first officer, A. Sad
Ter; purser. II. B. Williams; chief
engineer. j. b. Wright.
THE TRIAL TESTS.
The trial tests will probably occupy
several days. and they will be of a
very thorough nature.
HER OFFICERS.
The Pennsylvania Will probably be
commanded by Captain Edward Rich
ardson, and Mr.. II. B. Williams, who
has superintendent the QUILTING of the
steamer VIII fill the important position
of Durser.
DESCRIPTION OF THE STEAMSHIP
The new steamer Pennsylvania, built
LOT the New York, Philadelphia and
Norfolk railroad by the Roach Ship
building Company. arrived at Norfolk
ednesday evening after a very quick
trip from the yard OF the builders at
Chester. Pa.
The new boat is n twin-screw steamer
OF high speed and Is intended to take
a place on the passenger run to Cape
CHARLES. and is expected to reduce the
running time between Norfolk and
Cape Charles about thirty minutes. The
null is built of steel and Is 25S.S feet
long, 40.9 feet beam, II feet deep and
mas mean draft of feet and G
ihches. Her gross tonnage Is 1850
TONS Ihere arr two engines of the
tour cylinder triple expansion type,
isN29 33X33. all OF 26-inch stroke driv-
ing twin screws of about feet 4 inches
in diameter at 200 revolutions per min
ute. Steam is furnished by six boilers
or the Amy water tube type built for
steam pressure of $50 pounds The
condensinE apparatus is independent
and seDarate for each engine All
pumps are brass fitted and OF the latest
vertical type.
The passenger entrance and main
ioDby are aft; the floor Is covered with
lnterlocking rubber tile, and the sides
are panelled in mahogany. The stair
ways TO the upper saloon are ma
hogany. with caSved newels The up
per saloon is I&inted white, trimmed
with gold leaf. The forward and aft
ends OF the saloon form two large rooms
handsomely furnished with velvet car
pets, mahogany sofas and chairs cover
ed with plush, and are we'll lighted with
dome sky-lights. Along the sides are
six state-rooms. a large private room
for ladies', with comfortable reclining
chairs, and tiled toilet rooms with the
most modern sanitary plumbing. The
dining-room is aft the lobby on the
main deck. and is airy and we'll light
ed, and a passenger enjoying a meal
has q clear view Of the beautiful har-
Dor. Abaft the dining-room, over the
stern, is smoking room, panelled in
hard wood and upholstered In leather,
where demi-tasso and n good cigar
may be enjoyed after one OF the de-
lightful meals the New York, Philadel-
phia and Norfolk railroad usually
serves
On the main deck forward the lobby
are toilet-rooms, barber-shop and
purser's office. and forward of these Is
the freight space. The enormous In
quircd better fast freight facilities. and
the new boat will carry more than twice
as much as the New York; at 20 per
cent greater speed.
All the modern improvements for
safety and comfort have been incorpo-
rated in the new boat; both steam and
hand-gear are fitted; water under pres
sure is furnished to all the closets and
wash basins. Ample water-tight bulk
heads provide against sinking I'm event
of collision. and a well-arranged system
of fire eXinguishers provides against
danger in that line.
The boat is brilliantly lighted by
electricity, the prevailing idea being
that passenger could read at night in
any part of the saloon; two dynamos
are installed so that ample light can
be furnished I'm the event of n break
down Of either one.
The boat has been designed for the
exceptional speed of 20 miles an hour,
and in the preliminary trials made by
the builders she exceeded this.
The New York, Philadelphia and Nor
folk Railroad Company will load the
steamer with the amount OF freight she
usually carries, and tomorrow expect
to make very complete and exhaust
i've trial over tht Government course
opposite Cape Charles to determine the
actual speed of the boat and to see
whether she will meet their require
ments.
The Pennsylvania cost about n
quarter of a million of dollars. and is
perfect in every appointment. Every
device and appliance conducive to the
safety OF patrons has been installed,
and the steamship is a marked advance
on anything yet built for use in local
waters. Great attention has been paid
to her kitchen and it's appointments
and the beautiful dining-room will seat
seventy persons.
SOON TAKES Her RUN.
The pennsylvania" will probably
take her run between Norfolk and Cape
Charles next Monday. She will make
the evening run from Norfolk. leaving
here at p. m. daily. and returning will
arrive at Norfolk at Il. m. This will
greatly improve the service via the
New York. Philadelphia and Norfolk to