Maryland independent. [volume] (Port Tobacco, Md.) 1874-current, 1911-02-03
rw0N NEW SHIPS.

cheers OF the III hundred or more
invited guests who attended, the
two new steamers. Of the Chesapeake
steamship Company, the "Chy Of
Baltimore and ecity of Norfolk, /"
slipped gently along the ways at the
sblp-yards Of the Maryland Steel
Company, Srarrows Point on the
afternoon Of Saturday, December
srd., and foated gracefully ont into
the waters Of the aChesapeake,' their
future home
The launchings were in every way
a perfect success. The weather was
clear ana COO, and just enough air
was stirring to cause the flags and
pennants, decorating the numerous
tugs and steamers IN attendance, to
flattsr pieturesqueIy in the breeze.
The rCity Of Baltimore" the first
to leave her ways, was christened by
Miss Marge James, daughter Of Mr..
Norman james, yiee-president and
director Of the Chesapeake Steam
ship Company, while the @City Of
Nnrfolk, which was launched about
fifteen minutes after her sister ship,
was christened BY Miss Celestine
Page Finley, daughter Of President
w. W. FINLEY, Of the Southera Rail-
way.
The out-of-town guests, who had
arrived ID the city earlier during lie
day, as well as those from Baltimore,
were conveyed to and from the ship
yards on the steamers @Atlauta' and
~Columhia,n which Mr.. Compton,
president Of the steamship company,
bad placed at their disposal. These
steamers left the companys piers,
Light and Lee Streets, for the scene
of the launching at eleven O'Clock,
returning about four in the afternoon.
A delightfal collation. was served on
these steamers both on the going and
return trips, While the steel company
Sad prepared an elaborate banquet,
Which was served in the ''joiner-
room at the ship yards Immediately
the two big ships bad been safely
Iuoored after the launching.
The new vessels, which will be
completed about the first Of April
and placed Immediately on the Balti-
mors-N Norfolk line, are $40 feet long
over all, beam moulded at deck, 46
feet; beam moulded at water line,
AZ feet; beam moulded over guards,
GOfeet, making the largest yet built
for the company. They will have
carrying capacity Of $50 tons Of
high-class merchandise freight and
will be equipped with complete
refrigerating facilities for the hand
ling Of dairy products and other
perishable freight calling for this
service. Each ship will contain 147
staterooms for passengers. All Of
the staterooms will be outside rooms,
that il. having windows opening
directly on to the deck, and will be
steam heated and lighted by electric
ity. A number Of the rooms will
connect with baths, ten of them
conuecting with hot ard cold, fresh
and salt water shower baths. Both
ships will, be equipped with wireless
telegraph.
While the installation Of telephone
service on steamers is no; altogether
new, especially on Feseoing craft,
the new Chesapeake Line Steamers
will have system Of vocal eommuni-
cation that will be more extensive
than any heretofore put in, for
arrangements have been made TO
connect the system with the general
exchanges OF the cities Of Baltimore
and Norfolk while the vessels are in
there berths.
As soon as the steamer reaches
her berth the switchboard on the
steamer is Immediately connected
with wire that leads 10 tho private
exchange Of the company from which
connections for lesal Or losg- distance
calls may be m lde.
The connection with the shore
will be maintained uutiI just a
moment before sailing so that should
berson arrive on board and sill
wi.h 10 communicate with home,
even though il be in another city, he
will have III advantage If calling
up directly from his stateroom.
In the morning, after the ship has
docksd, passenger, without leaving
his ststeroem, may use the Telephone
snd thus be will be enabled 70 save
much valnab'e time.
During the Light heu the ship is
On the By and il is necessary to
reach anyone on the shore the wire
less may be called into wryiee and
shas, from port 70 porn one will not
be out Of range Of commauicaii IL, a
convenience that many wil sppre-
infa