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Message: [QUOTE="Mark Baber, post: 276420, member: 79063"] The Times, 26 October 1900 THE WHITE STAR LINE---The new colonial fleet of the White Star Line has been brought a step nearer completion by the launch of the twin-screw steamer Runic, which took place yesterday at Belfast. This steamer is 565ft. in length, 64ft. in breadth, and her gross tonnage is 12,400, constituting her one of the largest passenger steamers afloat, and she is the 43rd vessel launched by Messrs. Harland and Wolff for this company. During the last four years seven steamships of the largest type, aggregating 86,501 tons, have been launched by Messrs. Harland and Wolff for the White Star Line. These vessels are all propelled by double sets of engines and twin screws. In dimensions and most other respects the Runic is similar to the Afric, Medic, and Persic, which have already gained popularity with passengers in the South African and Australian trades. Only one class of passengers is carried. For these the accommodation provided comprises dining, reading, and smoking rooms, with ample bath and lavatory arrangements. On the Runic certain further improvements have been made. For instance, the dining-room, which will seat over 400 passengers, has been placed on the upper deck, where there is thorough ventilation, and by reason of its proximity to the pantry and galley rapid service of meals is ensured. To carry out this arrangement the poop has been connected with the bridge-house and forms a spacious promenade 300ft. long, and the large house which serves for the passenger entrance will be fitted with comfortable seats forming a sort of lounge. The writing and reading room is also situated on this deck. The extension of the poop has further allowed a number of two and four berth deck-rooms to be provided. The Runic will be refrigerated for the carriage of 100,000 carcases of mutton, and she will also have space for 20,000 bales of wool. It is now more than 12 months since the Medic began the steam service of the White Star Line to South Africa and Australia, connecting the mother country with two of her most important colonies by an all-British route. On her maiden voyage the Medic conveyed the first colonial contingents from Australia to South Africa. On her present outward voyage she carries the table on which the Queen signed the Australian Commonwealth Bill. The Runic is appointed to sail from Liverpool for South Africa and Australia on Saturday, January 19. The Suevic will also be launched shortly, and is expected to enter the service in the new year. -30- [/QUOTE]

Verification: In which year did the Titanic sail?