The Times, 23 November 1903
BELFAST, Nov. 22
---
On Saturday the launch took place at Belfast of the steamship Baltic,
which will be by far the largest vessel afloat, her dimensions
being:---Length, 725ft. 9in.; depth, 49ft.; and breadth, 75ft., while
her gross tonnage will be nearly 23,000. The ceremony was performed by
Miss Julia Neilson, who with Mr. Fred Terry, has been appearing at the
Belfast Opera-house in Sweet Nell of Old Drury, and was in every way an
unqualified success. The vessel is the fourth of the series of vessels
launched by Messrs. Harland and Wolff for the White Star line since
1899, which have each, in turn, figured as the largest in the world, but
she exceeds the Cedric, her immediate predecessor, as the record-holder
by some 3,000 tons. Her capacity for cargo will be 28,000 tons, and the
displacement at her load draft about 40,000 tons. The new vessel will be
fitted with accommodation upon the same lines as those in the Celtic and
Cedric, but even more commodious than in those vessels. On the upper
promenade deck will be the first-class smoke-room and library, and the
two houses below will contain the deck state-rooms, the arrangements so
much admired in the Celtic and Cedric. The first-class dining-room will
be on the upper deck, and all the first-class accommodation amidships.
Immediately abaft the first class will be the second-class
accommodation, and there will be also a comfortable smoke-room and
library for this class of passenger. The third-class passenger will be
provided for abaft the second class and to a limited extent at the fore
end of the vessel. A feature in this accommodation will be the large
number of state-rooms. There will be accommodation in all for nearly
3,000 passengers. In addition to the ordinary state-rooms there will be
suites consisting of bed, sitting, and bath rooms and single-berth
state-rooms, a new feature in Atlantic liners. The grand dining saloon,
situated on the upper deck, will extend the full width of the ship. It
will be exceptionally lofty and airy, and will contain seating
accommodation for 370 people. With its domed skylight and artistic and
effective decorations, this will be one of the most magnificent and
comfortable dining saloons on the Atlantic. The first-class smoke-room
and library will also be grand apartments, and the second-class public
rooms will be alike elegant and comfortable. The heating and ventilating
arrangements of the ship will be most complete, and the Baltic having
such large cargo capacity, will be fitted with winches and other loading
and discharging arrangements of the latest and most efficient type.
There will be large refrigerating chambers for the carriage of chilled
beef, the machines for working the same being on the C.Q. principle. The
Baltic will be fitted with engines of Harland and Wolff's expansion
type, about 13,000 i.h.p, and the speed will be about 16 1/2 to 17
knots.
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BELFAST, Nov. 22
---
On Saturday the launch took place at Belfast of the steamship Baltic,
which will be by far the largest vessel afloat, her dimensions
being:---Length, 725ft. 9in.; depth, 49ft.; and breadth, 75ft., while
her gross tonnage will be nearly 23,000. The ceremony was performed by
Miss Julia Neilson, who with Mr. Fred Terry, has been appearing at the
Belfast Opera-house in Sweet Nell of Old Drury, and was in every way an
unqualified success. The vessel is the fourth of the series of vessels
launched by Messrs. Harland and Wolff for the White Star line since
1899, which have each, in turn, figured as the largest in the world, but
she exceeds the Cedric, her immediate predecessor, as the record-holder
by some 3,000 tons. Her capacity for cargo will be 28,000 tons, and the
displacement at her load draft about 40,000 tons. The new vessel will be
fitted with accommodation upon the same lines as those in the Celtic and
Cedric, but even more commodious than in those vessels. On the upper
promenade deck will be the first-class smoke-room and library, and the
two houses below will contain the deck state-rooms, the arrangements so
much admired in the Celtic and Cedric. The first-class dining-room will
be on the upper deck, and all the first-class accommodation amidships.
Immediately abaft the first class will be the second-class
accommodation, and there will be also a comfortable smoke-room and
library for this class of passenger. The third-class passenger will be
provided for abaft the second class and to a limited extent at the fore
end of the vessel. A feature in this accommodation will be the large
number of state-rooms. There will be accommodation in all for nearly
3,000 passengers. In addition to the ordinary state-rooms there will be
suites consisting of bed, sitting, and bath rooms and single-berth
state-rooms, a new feature in Atlantic liners. The grand dining saloon,
situated on the upper deck, will extend the full width of the ship. It
will be exceptionally lofty and airy, and will contain seating
accommodation for 370 people. With its domed skylight and artistic and
effective decorations, this will be one of the most magnificent and
comfortable dining saloons on the Atlantic. The first-class smoke-room
and library will also be grand apartments, and the second-class public
rooms will be alike elegant and comfortable. The heating and ventilating
arrangements of the ship will be most complete, and the Baltic having
such large cargo capacity, will be fitted with winches and other loading
and discharging arrangements of the latest and most efficient type.
There will be large refrigerating chambers for the carriage of chilled
beef, the machines for working the same being on the C.Q. principle. The
Baltic will be fitted with engines of Harland and Wolff's expansion
type, about 13,000 i.h.p, and the speed will be about 16 1/2 to 17
knots.
-30-
