Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1905-08-28
Lamnch of Ferry steamer.

south WINDS.
Launch of Ferry Steamer.
The new double screw ferryboat, built
70, the Norfolk aud Washington Steam
boat Company for service on The Terry
lirp between this city and Washington
was launched at the yard OF Harlsn
& Hollingsworth, at Wilmington, Del
aware, today. A party OF thirty
persons, including the officers OF the n.
and w. line, representatives OF the DIS
trict of Columbia government, Mayor
Paff of this city, the Presidents OF the
Board of Aldermen and Common Coun-
Gil and several ladies left early this
morning over the Pennsylvania Railroad
for Wilmington in a special car attached
to an express train. They were the
guests of the steamboat company on the
trip. The launching took place at high
water on the Delaware river, about
1O.4O a. m. Little Miss Mary Simon
Callahan, daughter of Mr. David Gala
nan. assistant general manager OF the
Norfolk and Washington line, christen-
ed the steamer "Woodbury. A break
fast which followed the launching was
served at the shiPyard. >
The new steamer will be a model oil
her kind and will have the following d.
mansions Length over all, 1870 feet
length between rud1er posts, l75 feet
10 inches beam on guards, 81 feet
beam modelled at deck, 80 feet ; depth,
top of keel to top of main deck, l6 feet 6
inches; depth, top of keel to top OF pilot
house. 81 feet; bottom of keel to top OF
stack, SO feet.
The hull is entirely of Steel and is d.
vided by four transverse watertight bulk
heads and two longitudinal watertig ut
wing bulkheads continuous between the
peaks, with partial stiffening bulkheads
between the former and the shell.
The main deck beams are in one
length from guard rim to guard rim and
are supported outside of the bull proper
by iron braces.
The centre house or casing around
boiler and engine opening, and the inner
bulkhead of side houses on main deck,
are all built of steel plates and well
stiAeped. These steel houses form the
sides of the team gangway or horseway,
and the deck and the carllns overhead
are covered with sheet iron on the under
side. thus forming practically tireprooi
compartment for wagons, automobiles or
whatever may be carried in these gang
WAYS. This is a very important feature,
as the steamer has longer trip to make
than is usual for boats of this type.
The space below the main deck is oc-
cupied by propeling machinery, boilers,
steering engines, sleeping accommoda-
tions for the crew, and 1t is contemplated
fitting reireshment counter or bar,
which will be a very desirable innova-
aim on this class of vessel. This space
be.ow decks is lighted by twenty-six side
ports or lights, and by large skylght
over the engine room. Entrance to and
escape from the engine room is effected by
means of ladderway which leads right
nm TO the hurricane deck, having landings
and doorways on the main deck and also
at the saloon deck level, where state
room is fitted mp for the captain and
engineer.
On the side house above the main
deck on the port side is ladies' cabin,
while on the starboard side is the men 5
cabin or smoking room.
These cabins are entered by large
.Youble swing doors at either end,
and have double stairway leading to the
saloon above. These cabins will be
finished in light colors. The stairway
is of oak, aud all the seats are OF hard
wood. Above the back Of seats and VAIN
scot the walls are paneled with can
vas in suitable sized frames and mould
ing. and tinted " harmonic with the
general color scheme The cabins are
well lighted and ventilated. All windows,
which are arranged 10 pairs, are made
to slide, and due consideration has been
given to the electric fixtures. The floor
will be covered with a solid dark limo
leum. which will form a pleasing con-
trast to the ligher walls and ceiling over
head. One feature of these cabins is
that under the stairways, which lead 10
the upper saloon, four rooms are fitted up
with the latest type Of water closet.
Theupper cabin on the saloon deck forms
,one large room which has rounded ends
and lighted by large windows, all OF
which are made to raise and lower.
This saloon is fitted with hardwood seats
and flushed generally same as the lower
cabins with canvas panels tinted 10
light shades.
The stairway landings in the upper sa'
gUon are enclosed and fitted with double
swing doors entering to the saloon, and
sliding doors leading out to the promen-
ade on the sa .oon deck. These enclos-
ures prevent draughts and smoke from
rising from the mems smoking room.
There Is ample promenade space out.
side of the saloon deck house, and spared
seats are fitted all around the rail, tht
whole being shaded by the oyerhang o.
tie hurricane deck.
Vi either end of hurricane deck
n;Iot SoQse is located, each pilot house
ppo ,, ing the necessary navigating out
Ct such as compass, steering wheels
speaking tubes end bell pulls to engine
Con. t5ese latter are led down through
steel trunk WAYS. which also form sup
ports for the heavy plot houses
On top of each pilot uouse d pom co,
full search light is placed ard is operaIe'
from within. This is also feature very
seldom seen on ferrybOats but VIII u
-.a..:nuln ia, r,anrn1 ON the nm on WHICH