Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1904-01-23

daughter or England, started the lever
which set the boat in motion. She seemed
scarcely to have touched it when the Baltic
began to glide down the ways, the tiny RED
flag fluttering jauntily as she touched the
water.
Into the Water.
There was crash and roar as the dog
shores gave way. but the noise was lost In
the din of cheering that rang out from the
thousands of spectators on both sides of the
river. Slowly the huge stern slid out be-
yond the veil of scaffolding, with curl of
white water below and the propellers re-
volving madly.
The next moment could be seen plainly
the tall sides with their lengths of check
chain, knots OF men running on the deck
and solitary black figure waving its arms
like semaphore Now for the anchors,
said somebody, and as he spoke there was
a motion in the bows, a momentary pause,
then a loud splash and flash of silver,
and the boat quivered and stood still, while
every siren in the river hooted frantically
in salute and the crowds cheered and
cheered again.
AS a launch 1t was one of the most sue
cessful that a shipbuilder could show, the
Baltic being pulled up in less than fifty
seconds from the time the lever was start
ed. She was afterward taken in charge by
tugs and moored alongside the Alexandra
wharf where the work of putting in her
engines will be carried out, when she will
be ready for sea.
The Baltic is not only the largest but
In many respects the finest vessel af1oat,
her great size making it possible to add i'm
provements even beyond the other vessels
of this type, in which the shipbuilder's art
has already obtained such high standard
of excellence. Her dimensions are as fol-
lows: Length, 725 feet inches; breadth,
Is feet; depth, 40 feet. Her gross tonnage
will be nearly "a, 900, her capacity for cargo
about $1,000 tons and the displacement of
her load draft about 10000 tons.
Biggest of the Three.
The new vessel is fitted with accommoda-
ton in the same lines as in the Celtic and
Cedric, two huge predecessors of hers, but
even more commodious than in those YES
sells. The general arrangements of the ship
are similar to the two other vessels of this
type a continuous shade deck running fore
and aft with three tiers of deck houses and
two promenade decks above them.
On the upper promenade deck are the
first-class smoke room and library, and the
two houses below contain the deck state
rooms The first-class dining saloon is on
the upper deck, and all the first-class &C
commodations amidships. Immediately
abaft the first-class is the second-class &C
commodation, and there is also comfort
able smoke room and library for this class
of passengers.
The third-class passengers are provided
for abaft the second-class, and to limited
extent at the fore end of the vessel.
A great feature in this accommodation is
the large number of staterooms-two, three
and four-berth-and the commodious and
comfortable dining rooms, fitted with tables
and revolving chairs. There is accommo-
dation in all for nearly 5000 passengers, be-
sides quarters for crew of about $50.
Striking and Artistic.
The decorations are of the most striking
and artistic kind. and all the appointments
handsome and luxurious In addition to the
ordinary staterooms, there are suites con-
sisting of bed, sitting and bath rooms; also
single berth staterooms-a new feature in
steamer accommodations. Then the excep-
tional and well-distributed strength of the
structure of the vessel, in addition to the
water-tight subdivision. have secured the
maximum of safety obtainabe. AS in the
other large steamers of this type, one of the
most notable features in the Baltic is the
grand dining saloon--a very handsome
apartment. Situated on the upper deck, it
extends the full width of the ship, % feet;
it is exceptionally lofty and airy, and con-
tains seating accommodations for $40 peo-
pie. With the domed skylight and artistic
and effective decoration this will be one of
the most magnificent and comfortable din
ing saloons on the Atlantic. The frst-class
smoke room and library are also magnifi-
cent apartments, and the Second-claSS pub
lie rooms are alike elegant and comfortable.
The heating and ventilating arrange
ments of the ship will be complete, and the
Baltic having such large cargo capacity,
will be fitted with winches and other load
ing and discharging arrangements of the