SHIPS AND THE SEA. THE BIGGEST SHIP IN THE WORLD.

Evening Post, Volume LXIV, Issue LXIV, 13 September 1902, Page 4 (Supplement)

SHIPS AND THE SEA. THE BIGGEST SHIP IN THE WORLD.

The Cedric, of tho White Star lino, tho largest steamer in the world, h-\s boon MK'cuswfully launched at Belfast. unque-tiiHiiibly, tho launching wits an epoch-making event, and tho occatiion i will hUmd out as a beacon in the history of our v.ust mercantile nuuine. A few purtiuulnm, therefore!, of tho method adopted in moving mifely into the water :t vessel of 20,970 tons gross may not be uninteresting. Tho company has, Hince it entered tho Atlantic trado in 1871, completely revolutionised sea-trav-elling. The original Oceanic came as a levuUilion. Kho introduced the midship bullion extending tho whole width of the vessel, giving both improved light and venlililiou, and, wheio the motion of tho ship was felt at its minimum, and since that time few ocean liners have been built on any other designs, ho fnr as the interim 1 arrangements of the passenger quarters are concerned. It was Sir Edwurd ll.irland, of Messrs. Hurland and WolJf, at whoso famous yards the present leviathan was constructed, who many years ago stated at the launch of the Teutonic that he hud had for years in his olliue the lines of a 700 ft steamer, which up to that time he had not been able to persuade his friond, Mr. hmay, the founder and for many years chairman of the White Star line, to build, adding that he was sure that tho time would come when the usefulness of such would be recognised. Mr. Ismay did not dissent fiom tho prophecy. It was for the most far-seeing • shipbuilder in the country to wait for the fiat of tho most practical and successful shipowner in tlie world. Tho fiat was given. The Oceanic was ordered. She was built, launched, and was successful. Without delay another steamer of exceptional size and strength — larger than the Oceanic — was under construction. This was the Celtic. She, too, has been launched, and has realised aIU expectations. This was in April last, and since that period the Cedric, with tho honour of succeeding to tho title of "the biggest ship in the world," has been added to the large and powerful rlo«b of the company. The Oceanic (the second vessel of that name) possesses a gross tonnage of 17,274 as compared _with 20,970 tons gross of the Cedric. Both steamers are, however, the name in length, that is within a few feet, each being sligbtfy over 700 ft. This is also the length of the Celtic. In the matter of passongor accommodation the first-named steamer was <ible to carry 1575 persons, but the Cedric far surpasses her rival in this respect, being able to accommodate no fewer than 3000 on board. Much, too, has been improved in tho matter of marine luxury. Tha corridors are to be wider and more airy — they ore to bo paved with iudiarubber mosaics — and tho furniture- is to be more lavish, whilst gilded and embossed ceilings, brilliant mirrors, magnificent electrical flttinjrs, and a multitude of etceteras will make the voisel literally a floating and sumptuous palace. How are the»e leviathans launched? The Cedric on tlio ways towered fully 130 ft above the yard, and the vessel is of such an enormous weight that pressure has to be brought to bear before sho will move downwards. From her sides, like gigantic necklaces, festoons of massive chains, to which are attached half a dozen huge anchors, aro suspended, ready to let go. Probably for houi-s before- the launch it is necessary for workmen to gradually remove dogshores and keel blocks, and at <i gun signal tho hammers begin once more their metallic chorus, as the last of tho wedges' holding the remaining blocks in position arc knocked out. The Biipiemp moment for testing ovnr a year's continuous labour now approaches. Tho workmen hurry away, the engineers gather at tho hydraulic machinery, a second gun echoes over tho yard, and the launching mechanism, similar to thntui«od for all the larger steamers, begins very slowly to work. Tho machinery is simply a steel easting containing an hydraulic cylinder and ram, and a trigger half let into the law or standing way*. As the last keel blocks are removed' the weight of tho ship rests on the two triggers, against tho lower halves of which a pressure- of about 500 tons in brought to bear by the hydraulic machinery, and acting through the two inniß. As tv third signal is fired tho rams, having done their restraining work, are pressed back, releasing the triggers, which slide out of the way. The huge towering mass is now freo. Without a moment's pause the vessel awakes from her sleep, and, with a slow, majestic movement, which rapidly quickens, .>-hc moves to the water. Tho huge ship j.s perfectly upright, and as the nite^of progress is increased the sight is a fascinating one. With a mighty splash the stern dips into tho water to something like 35ft, and tho screws begin to revolve for a .short while. On the ways are placed something liko'uine tons of so.ip and tallow to allow the vessel to glide smoothly and evenly. Once in tho river deftly plied hatchets sever the remaining cords, and with furious spindlings the anchors drop and gj-ip tho ground. The Oceanic and tho Celtic both travelled on tho slip at a speed of about twelvo knots, and only a minute elapses between the drop of *the releasing triggers and the'fliial complete immersion, yet the anchors bring such vessel* to a standstill in about half their length. TJ.o swiftost, and, without exception, the largest express liner in tho world, will shortly be launched at Stettin. Her namg ia the Kaiser Wilholm dor Zwoite, and she is expected to develop n, speed of twentyfour knots. The vessol will leave Bremen on her maidon voyage in April next year. While the Orient-Pacifio liner Oruba was pausing through the Red Sea on her outward voyage n. Lascar fireman fell overboard. A boat was immediately lowered in charge of the second officer, Mr. Tibbits, and the man was rescued and the steamer on her course again within twenty minutes from the time of the occurrence. The passengers presented Mr. Tibbits with a gold pendant, njid tho boat's crew with, the sum of £1 each. The chief officer of the steamer Eddorton (which took a cargo of Wostport coal to China) writes from Ceylon: — " The Wostport coal exoecded all expectations. We had only throe buckets of ashes for 30 tons, so I don't wonder at the Westport inhabitants praising the coal and reminding visitors of it being the means of saving the Calliope." Tho British Medical Journal nukes tho announcement that a complete -X-ray outfit has been ordered at a cost of £67 18s 6d for all flagships. Almost all his MojestyV ships are now supplied with electric light plant, which will be available for such an outfit. Naval hospitals have recently boe.n supplied with Roentgen ray apparatus, iiiui instiuotion ia now given to surgeons in the work. A private letter from Hongkong slates that the Admiralty authorities object to Captain C.irter, of the steamer Mercedes being accompanied by his wifo on the vessel, as being opposed to the Navy regulations. The Mercedes is under charter to carry Weitport coril from New Zealand to warships on the China station. The pnst winter in Opotiki has been the coldest experienced for yeais, but it lias been dry, and generally favourable to tin: farmiiu; community.