[MAB Note: On 16 November 1881 Coptic left Liverpool on her maiden voyage for New York. By the time this article appeared, she was already about four days overdue, based on the ten day maiden voyage of her sister, Arabic I, earlier in the year.]
The New-York Times, 30 November 1881
A NEW WHITE STAR STEAMER
---
THE MACHINERY AND FURNISHINGS OF THE FOUR-MASTED COPTIC
---
The new White Star steam-ship Coptic, which is soon to arrive at this
port, was built at the yard of Harland & Wolff, Belfast, Ireland, from
which all of the White Star vessels were launched. The Coptic is not
quite so large as the Germanic, but is very much like that steam-ship in
appearance. Her gross register is 4,368 tons and her dimensions are:
Length, 430 feet; breadth of beam, 42 feet, and depth, 24 feet. She is
built of the very best quality of milled steel and her hull is very long
and graceful. At the forward and after end are turtle-back decks. She
carries four iron masts, the first three of which are square rigged,
while the fourth or “jigger mast” is fore-and-aft rigged. She has two
double cylinder engines of 450-horse power, which were constructed by
Jack & Co., of the Victoria Engine Works, in Liverpool. The steam is
supplied by three elliptical boilers, which work at a nominal pressure
of 90 pounds to the square inch, but which are capable of much greater
power. The crank shafts are of steel, and the engines are so
constructed so that if one breaks downs the other can still be worked.
The saloon is located amidships, immediately forward of the engines, and
is handsomely paneled with walnut and maple. The upholstery is of a
rich olive green velvet. Each of the saloon tables is provided with
cane-bottomed revolving chairs. A very handsome companionway leads from
the dining saloon to the deck above. The ladies’ cabin is handsomely
furnished, and the smoking-room is tastefully fitted up. All the
state-rooms are well ventilated and furnished, and contain every
facility for comfort. In the between-decks are compartments for a large
number of emigrants. The steerage berths are of canvas, and are so
arranged that when not in use they can be compactly stowed, thus
affording the emigrants much more room than is usual for tables and
seats. There are two hospitals in the steerage and two more on deck,
where infectious cases may be sent by the surgeon. The whole upper deck
affords a splendid promenade for saloon passengers. Along this deck are
secured eight life-boats, which can be lowered at a moment’s notice.
The emigrants’ promenade is the lower deck, which is well sheltered. In
order to decrease the danger which might arise in a collision, the hold
has been divided into eight water-tight compartments, either [sic] one
of which might become filled with water without preventing the vessel
from keeping on her course at almost the usual rate of speed. The ship
is illuminated by the Swan system of electric lights. These lights are
very bright and soft and do not flicker. Sir William Thomson’s patent
compasses are used. The Coptic is steered by steam and is provided with
all the recently discovered steam appliances. In addition to the
life-boats are two large life-rafts, which are stowed on the deck-houses
forward. The steam pumps are very powerful and capable of pumping out
water at a very rapid rate. By the same means a fire could be
extinguished before it could get under headway in any portion of the
ship. The water-tight bulkheads are of the new pattern which is now
used in the vessels of the British Navy. The Captain’s rooms are just
aft of the pilot-house and very close to the bridge. The quarters of
the officers are in a deck-house forward. The forecastle is under the
forward turtle-back deck. During her initial trip from Belfast to
Liverpool the Coptic behave extremely well and the engines showed great
capacity for speed. The new vessel is commanded by Capt. H. Parsell, a
master of long experience.
-30-
The New-York Times, 30 November 1881
A NEW WHITE STAR STEAMER
---
THE MACHINERY AND FURNISHINGS OF THE FOUR-MASTED COPTIC
---
The new White Star steam-ship Coptic, which is soon to arrive at this
port, was built at the yard of Harland & Wolff, Belfast, Ireland, from
which all of the White Star vessels were launched. The Coptic is not
quite so large as the Germanic, but is very much like that steam-ship in
appearance. Her gross register is 4,368 tons and her dimensions are:
Length, 430 feet; breadth of beam, 42 feet, and depth, 24 feet. She is
built of the very best quality of milled steel and her hull is very long
and graceful. At the forward and after end are turtle-back decks. She
carries four iron masts, the first three of which are square rigged,
while the fourth or “jigger mast” is fore-and-aft rigged. She has two
double cylinder engines of 450-horse power, which were constructed by
Jack & Co., of the Victoria Engine Works, in Liverpool. The steam is
supplied by three elliptical boilers, which work at a nominal pressure
of 90 pounds to the square inch, but which are capable of much greater
power. The crank shafts are of steel, and the engines are so
constructed so that if one breaks downs the other can still be worked.
The saloon is located amidships, immediately forward of the engines, and
is handsomely paneled with walnut and maple. The upholstery is of a
rich olive green velvet. Each of the saloon tables is provided with
cane-bottomed revolving chairs. A very handsome companionway leads from
the dining saloon to the deck above. The ladies’ cabin is handsomely
furnished, and the smoking-room is tastefully fitted up. All the
state-rooms are well ventilated and furnished, and contain every
facility for comfort. In the between-decks are compartments for a large
number of emigrants. The steerage berths are of canvas, and are so
arranged that when not in use they can be compactly stowed, thus
affording the emigrants much more room than is usual for tables and
seats. There are two hospitals in the steerage and two more on deck,
where infectious cases may be sent by the surgeon. The whole upper deck
affords a splendid promenade for saloon passengers. Along this deck are
secured eight life-boats, which can be lowered at a moment’s notice.
The emigrants’ promenade is the lower deck, which is well sheltered. In
order to decrease the danger which might arise in a collision, the hold
has been divided into eight water-tight compartments, either [sic] one
of which might become filled with water without preventing the vessel
from keeping on her course at almost the usual rate of speed. The ship
is illuminated by the Swan system of electric lights. These lights are
very bright and soft and do not flicker. Sir William Thomson’s patent
compasses are used. The Coptic is steered by steam and is provided with
all the recently discovered steam appliances. In addition to the
life-boats are two large life-rafts, which are stowed on the deck-houses
forward. The steam pumps are very powerful and capable of pumping out
water at a very rapid rate. By the same means a fire could be
extinguished before it could get under headway in any portion of the
ship. The water-tight bulkheads are of the new pattern which is now
used in the vessels of the British Navy. The Captain’s rooms are just
aft of the pilot-house and very close to the bridge. The quarters of
the officers are in a deck-house forward. The forecastle is under the
forward turtle-back deck. During her initial trip from Belfast to
Liverpool the Coptic behave extremely well and the engines showed great
capacity for speed. The new vessel is commanded by Capt. H. Parsell, a
master of long experience.
-30-