New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1902-02-26
DoWNEY DESCRIBES YACHT.
ONE OF THE BUILDERS OF THE METEOR
GIVES DETAILS OF HISTORY AND
CONSTRUCTION.

wallace DoWney, or the Townsend & DOwney
Shipbuilding Company, the builders of the i'm
pertal yacht Meteor. launched yesterday at
Shooters Island. writes an interesting description
Of the vessel in the current issue OF Frank
Leslies Monthly He refers TO the internal
tonaI character Of the yacht and OF its sig
uihcanCe as a cOnservator OF International good
feeling but does not indorse the view taken by
some that the order for the construction of the
vessel in American shipyard was only a
clever stroke Of farseeng diplomacy on the
part Of Emperor William. He believes that the
ceremonies OF the launching. the graceful par
ticipation in them by the Presidents daughter,
the visit Of Prince Henry and the attendant
festivities the result and not the cause of the
yachts being built in this country. Mr.. Downey
says, in part:
The Importance OF the Meteor as a noteworthy
american h contribution 10 s9ipoTding has pracs
The yaeht have never looked ~ upon it as
II! m the boat mas been almost entirely as boat
Lhey have bent their energies to turn out a yacht
shipyard could do in that line. Probably the fact
that their patron was foreigner and the head OF
stimulus 10 good work, but that is all When
oassaGor at Washington, II was accepted in a mat
cially referred TO IN the shipyard as the Kaisers
II Job No. "a differed In any important essential
from Job No. co. or % there has been no OUT
In spite OF the glamour that has been thrown
perors guiding motive in sending an order to an
1a!eIiGaH snpyar1 was r Ihe laura! aHolu3n 20
own an American boat his majesty Is splendid
sportsman, has natural passion for yachting, and
struggle OF his English cousins against American
Gos vile e has 26Sn f RIe5Sed oe
in the last i've years
than Il mere skmming dish. He wished fast
boat. one that ne could enter in regattas with
vceable yacht. he likes TO race, but he also likes
admirably American schooner, for COM
fort and speed are probably combined more ef-
ever. why the Emperor desired an American
yacht above all things that he had had per-
sona experiences with that style OF craft. In his
extensive fleet today IS the Yampal built in 1887
by Harlan & HoIlingsworth from designs by A
Chaplin. who had already owned two OF Mr.. Smiths
boats cruised all the world for several years
Suydam Palmer. who. in one Of his deep sea voy
eS Pe1 ia at Of t6 German 's mDerar bo @
50 charmed with her that he wished to possess her
himself
Mr.. Downey goes on TO say that the keel Of the
boat was laid in October. 1901. and that the
yacht, from stem to stern. is the product OF
American designers. builders and workmen.
The naming of the yacht by American girl.
he says, gracefully emphasizes the national
character of the whole performance. It re-
mains for the boat, he continues. TO acquit itself
according to the best American traditions
to make its Americanization complete. Mr..
Downey hopes that the yacht will be figuring
successfully in foreign regattas by the middle
OF May
Quoting again the shipbuilder's article in
Frank Leslie's Monthly:
The Meteor ia a large yacht having a length
all Of 100 feet and waterline length of 10.
a beam OF q feet, and draught OF IT, There is
thus deck room enough for court reception;
accommodation is furnished in the forecastle for
a crew Of at least thirty men; there are two
saloons. the main and the ladies' cabin, and three
large staterooms. IN addition to the Emperor
largest schooner yacht ever put l forth from aR
American shipyard In her design speed has
pains to emphasize this point, and whereas in all
matters Of pure technique, such as the sheer OF
the hull, he has wisely left the details TO the
designers the interior arrangements have largely
Both fore and aft are two large tanks. one for
oil for rough weather and the other
are the f6recastle the officers quarters the cap
tains and stewards rooms. and the owners and
the crews gaeys. On the starboard side the
keeping accessories and directly back of these is
the main saloon This is a commodious affair
extending from one side of the yacht to the other
and having length of IL feet II Will be furnished
with considerable elegance, though without any
great ostent3 zion. II VIII be the living room OF
this floating home, ana as Such the comfort OF the
voyagers will be the point chiefly aimed at. At
the aft end a piano. The finishing will all be in
oak and mahogany. though the furnishings in
fSt dtS w ! a9e De put IN until the 'acn reaches
A fair idea of the size OF the main saloon IS
gained however. when IL is said that it will con-
tain an extension table capable of seating twenty
four persons Aft of the saloon on the port side
are three large staterooms and a bath for the gen,
tlemen-i waiting. Directly opposite these rooms
This is large saloon 1S feet long, and besides a
brass bedstead. contains a writing desk. several
wardrobes and dressing table. The woodwork
throughout the Kaiser's quarters viii be OF mahog-
gold, small amount Of the trim Showing w the
natural wood. The cost will be in the neighbor-
hood OF $4,000
T-p To OATE pTrTUPES OF ppTNCu