Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1906-03-17
Miss Judith Elizabeth Norment.

Miss Judith Elizabeth Norment.
presence of a large number of invited
guests from Norfolk, Portsmouth and this
city, and Of the officials OF the Norfolk and
Washington Steamboat Company and
large party from Washington which arrived
aboard the steamer Newport News, which
| made a special trip for the purpose OF
bringing the guests from the national cap
ital to the function. AS the new steamer
slid down the ways to take her initial
plunge little Miss Judith Norment, daughter
of Mr.. Clarence Norment first vice presi-
dent of the Norfolk and Washington COM
pany, christened the vessel Jamestown"
The Newport News left the Norfolk and
Washington line pier in washington short
ly after o'clock last evening, under the
command of Capt. Cason, and steamed rap
Idly down the river and bay, reaching Nor
folk about $50 this morning. On the down
trip shortly after leaving the Washington
wharf buffet supper was served. and the
guests amused themselves they pleased
until time TO retire. When they arose this
morning the steamer was not far from Old
Point. Breakfast was served as the steamer
was moving through Hampton roads. Ar
irving at Norfolk the Norfolk guests, the
officials of the jamestown Exposition Com
pany and others were taken aboard, and the
vessel proceeded to Newport News and tied
up at one of the wharves at the shipyard.
Music was an enjoyable feature of the
down trip and of the launching
Inspected shipbuilding Plant.
While awaiting the water in the James
river to reach the proper level for the
launching the members of the party We're
given every opportunity TO see the workings
of big shipbutlding plant. Several war yes
sells are there In various stages of completion;
these proved an attraction to the visitors
from Washington, as did the big drydocks
with two large vessels lying in them under
going repairs Shortly before / O'clock to-
day the launching party assembled the plat
form erected about the bow OF he new
steamer. The platform was decorated with
bunting and from the steamer a rdmoer of
American and signal flags were thrown to
the breeze. When the time arrived for the
sending of the new Doat into the wate- tie
workmen below began TO cut away he
shores that he'd her on the stocks. One by
one they We're removed, until only the key
piece remained. There was an anxious
moment as this timber was knocked away.
| Then some one exclaimed: There she
goes!' and as the vessel moved little Miss
Norment broke beautifully decorated bot
tie of champagne against the bow Of the
boat. and as she did so remarked:
God speed thee, Jamestown
The newly named steamer glided grace
fully down the ways and plunged into the
waters of the river The launching was a
success in every way.
The steamer is about two-thirds com
pleted it is stated, and Will he raadv ia ne
turned over to the Norfolk ami Washington
company about the latter part OF May. The
hull is completely finished, and large por-
ton of the steel work of her house is in
place. AS soon the vessel went over
board, tugs which were in waiting took
her in tow and brought her back to the
wharf, and the workmen went aboard her
and resumed work that had been interrupt
ed by the launching ceremony.
Absolutely Fireproof.
The jamestown, when completed II is
declared, will be one of the finest steamers
afioat and will be absolutely freproof She
is unique in this respect, and is the only
vessel of the kind. Shipbuilders all over
the country have been watching the build
ing with more than the ordinary interest
and the jamestown will be taken as the
model for modern boats to be constructed
In the future. She is 265 Feet long over
all, has nodded beam of thirty-eight
feet and a beam of sixty-three feet oyar
the guards. Her nodded depth Is 148 feet
| and her draft eight feet forward and nine
feet aft. Her minimum speed, according
to the contract with the builders, is to be
not less than eighteen miles an hour She
is steel hull, side wheel passenger steam
er for day service. There will be three com
plete decks. with partial lower deck forward
ana ar OF maehinery space on main deck
aft there will be large dining room
capable o fseating 275 persons, and small
private dining room. The barroou will
be situated on lower deck forward On
main deck abreast of the machinery castings
will be fitted mems toilet. barber shop and
purser's office on port side, and parcel
room and three private parlor rooms on
starboard side. A lunch counter will he
fitted in the Enclosure space forward of
the stairway to upper cabin on main deck
On the saloon deck a large cabin win
be fitted with women's parlor, two private
parlors four staterooms and toilet rooms
for men and women. Open stairways VIII
be provided forward and aft for access to
shade deck. The steamer In general will
be built Of steel. wood being used for win
dow frames and sash, doors and frames
furniture, dressers. etc, and such other
places as do not readily permit of steel
being employed.
Steel Construction.
All housing and bulkheads will be of steel
and the interior of dining room, cabins,
private parlors and staterooms will be fin
ished with No. "a U. S. s. gauge steel cell
ing cork painted on side adjacent to house
plating. The divisional bulkhead through
out between the rooms will be corrugated.
The vessel will be built to meet all aplf-
cable requirements of the rules of the United
States Inspection service. The quality of
all material will be In accordance with the
rules of the American bureau of shipping.
The main deck forward, the bar, toilet