i^i>.-^^*^'«-'^">v\ 5 G V I8b3. LIBRARY OF CONGRESS. Chap... Copyright No SheltK^.'B G UNITED STATES OF AMERICA. Digitized by the Internet Archive in 2011 with funding from The Library of Congress http://www.archive.org/details/niagaraoldnewOOblan NIAGARA THE OLD AND THE NEW V, r^ NEW YORK PUBLISHERS' PRINTING COMPANY MDCCCXCIX ,(V5B'° 3.3206 Copyright, 1S99, BY FRANK L. BLANCHARD i-WOCOPie-i> K£CeiV£D. J LIST OF ILLUSTRATIONS. TWENTY-RATER NIAGARA. STEAM YACHT NIAGARA. THE NIAGARA'S FIGUREHEAD. GENERAL VIEW OF BRIDGE AND RIGGING. THE PROMENADE DECK. OWNER'S OFFICE ON PROMENADE DECK. TWO VIEW^ OF THE MUSIC HALL. THE CARD ROOM. LIBRARY AND STAIRCASE. MRS. GOULD'S SUITE. MRS. GOULD'S BEDROOM. BOUDOIR IN MRS. GOULD'S SUITE. MR. GOULD'S SUITE. BATHROOM IN MR. GOULD'S SUITE. DINING-ROOM ON THE MAIN DECK. ONYX FIREPLACE IN THE DINING-ROOM. PIANO IN OAK CASE WITH TAPESTRY PANELS. THE STEWARDS PANTRY. GENERAL VIEW OF OWNER'S KITCHEN. STAIRCASE IN LOWER HALL. TWENTY-RATER NIAGARA HE sloop yacht, twenty rater Niagara, owned by Mr. Howard Gould, of New York, was built by the Herreshoffs at Bristol, Rhode Island, in 1893. She is 45 feet long on the water line, 12 feet beam and 10 feet draught. During the season of 189s the Niagara participated in some fifty races of the leading yacht clubs of Great Britain. Her skipper was John Barr, formerly commander of the Thistle, whose intimate knowledge of the coast and skill in handling her were such that she won twenty-nine first prizes, nine second, and one third prize. Among the trophies which her owner brought back to New York, as the result of the first summer's work, were the Lord Dunraven Castle Yacht Club Challenge Cup; a silver tea set and tray, presented by Robert Cross for the Royal Western Yacht Club; silver punch bowls from the Clyde, Corinthian, and Royal Albert Yacht Clubs; and silver loving cups from the Royal Western of England and the West of Scotland Yacht Clubs, in addition to the Maitland Kersey Cup, presented by the Castle Yacht Club. The following year the Niagara again competed with English yachts, but her victories were not as numer- ous as the preceding season, although she won twenty out of forty races in which she participated. No American yacht ever made such a record in English waters. Her owner was made a life member of the Royal Ulster Yacht Club of Belfast, and an honorary member of the Royal Cork Yacht Club, the Start Bay Yacht Club of Dartmouth, and the Douglas Bay Yacht Club of the Isle of Man. He was also elected a member of the Royal Largs Yacht Club, the Royal Alfred Yacht Club, and the Royal Temple Yacht Club. STEAM YACHT NIAGARA TEAM yacht Niagara was launched at the yards of the Harlan & Hollingsworth Co., at Wilming- ton, Delaware, February 19, 1898, in the presence of a great crowd of people, including a party of invited guests who had come down from New York on a special train. She was christened Niagara by Miss Kathrine Clemmons, who subsequently became the wife of Mr. Gould. The Niagara represents the highest type of naval construction as applied to a pleasure craft. She is bark rigged and modelled on lines designed by Captain W. G. Shackford^ her commander, late commodore of the Pacific Mail Co.'s fleet. She was not built for speed, the additional space which extra boilers, furnaces, and coal supply would occupy being devoted to increasing the size of the living rooms and in supplying accommodations not usually found on a yacht. In point of tonnage the Niagara is equalled by only half a dozen yachts in the whole world, her tonnage being 1,443 tons, and her displacement 1,538 tons. She is 272 feet 4 inches long, 36 feet beam, 27 feet 5 inches in depth, and 16 feet 9 inches draught. She has bilge keels 140 feet in length and 17 inches deep, similar to those employed on the newly built Cunard liners. Capt. Charles G. Lundborg's device is used for protecting the outward shafting of the twin screws. She has six water-tight steel bulkheads and fore-and-aft bulkheads in the bunkers. The water-tight thwartship bulkheads are of extra strength and thickness. The hull is divided into several independent compart- ments for additional safety. A water bottom runs the entire length of the ship. The Niagara flies the flag of the New York Yacht Club in addition to the owner's colors. THE NIAGARA'S FIGUREHEAD _ lAGARA S figure-head is a skilfully carved representation ol an American eagle, with wings out- I Stretched, gilded with gold leaf, and bearing upon its breast a United States shield in colors. In its ■\/r I talons are a number of Indian arrows. The figure is large and life-like in appearance. The orna- ■1' J '=**™ mental work of the prow is touched out with gold. GENERAL VIEW OF BRIDGE AND RIGGING IN the spar deck, the house, which is built of steel and covered with mahogany, is i lo feet long and 16 feet wide. Above this, at the forward end and on a level with the bridge, which is furnished '11 with every modern device for signalling to the most distant parts of the ship, is the wheel-house, . i.B ^frrvJT^T^m which will be used in stormy weather. It contains a chart cabinet, an electrical signalling appar- atus, and an electrical key-board for operating the steam whistle. On the wall is a dial which shows whether the numerous bulkhead doors are closed. The yacht can be steered by steam, electricity, or by hand. The boat equipment of the Niagara includes a iS-foot steam launch capable of a speed of 10'- miles an hour; a 24-foot naphtha launch, two 23-foot lifeboats, a 22-foot gig, an 18-foot market boat, and two dingeys. The yacht will also carry, in the near future, the fastest one-rater that can be built. Whenever desirable the boat will be entered in regattas. Mr. Gould's purpose being to stimulate and encourage the building and sailing of small yachts. THE PROMENADE DECK library. HE upper deck offers an unbroken promenade the full length of the ship, an advantage which few ocean-going yachts possess. During the summer the entire deck will be protected from the glare of the sun by overhead awnings. Comfortable chairs of artistic pattern are scattered about for the convenience of the owner's guests. Forward under the bridge is located the owner's chart room. In addition to the usual instruments it is equipped with a large globe and a complete nautical ust behind the chart room is the commander's quarters. An observation room, half open to the weather. is a feature of the deck-house. OWNER'S OFFICE ON PROMENADE DECK lif.,!?!R. Gould's office on the promenade deck is located just beyond the smoking-room. It is finished in y| East Indian mahogany, the carpet and damask curtains being of a rich dark green. It con- tains a large mahogany desk, a typewriter cabinet of the same material, an inviting divan covered with velvet cushions which can be used as a bed, several reclining and easy-chairs, and a table. Sconces with opalescent green shades above the owner's desk complete the decorations of the room. Several large windows on each side of the room furnish an abundance of daylight. The office is easy of access from the card-room or music hall by a narrow passage, thus obviating the necessity of going out on deck during rough or stormy weather. MUSIC HALL ON PROMENADE DECK TWO VIEWS jOR the comfort of his guests the owner has provided a number of special rooms. The largest of these is the music hall on the upper deck, i6 feet wide and 32 feet long, finished in African ma- hogany and upholstered in dark green. Wide windows, consisting of single panes of heavy plate glass, give plenty of light and afford an excellent opportunity for observation in rainy weather. A concert orchestrion, equivalent to a band of eighteen pieces, furnishes music for dancing or plays the latest songs and instrumental compositions whenever desired. Hanging on the wall at one end of the hall is a Sixteenth-century tapestry picture representing a village dance. Two ornamental stained glass skylights in the ceiling add to the room's attractiveness and assist in its proper ventilation. CARD ROOM ON PROMENADE DECK. UST beyond the music hall is the card-room, in old oak, furnished with big easy-chairs and com- fortable lounging divans covered with soft Venetian leather. A heavy oaken sideboard, with the ^J usual accessories, occupies one corner of the room. In one end is concealed a dumb-waiter which communicates with the steward's pantry on the main deck. The combination card-tables are so arranged that almost any kind of a parlor game can be played upon them. The walls are deco- rated with old Dutch delft plaques, the globes over the electric lights being of a design that harmonizes with them. LIBRARY AND STAIRCASE v||HE library, on the main deck, is approached from the dining-saloon by a wide archway, and from the music hall on the deck above by a broad stairway, the balustrade of which is one of the best ' examples of black walnut carving produced in '98. The latter is composed of a series of massive wreaths joined at the top by graceful garlands. The newel post supports an artistic group of bronze cupids who hold aloft floral branches in which glow-lamps burn. The library is finished in American black walnut with hangings of Venetian red. Around the walls stand bookcases filled with over 600 volumes of novels, biographies, travels, etc., suited to every taste. At one end are two covered glass cases containing a carefully-selected assortment of arms, such as revolvers, cutlasses, rifles, and swords. A writing desk, a wall cabinet for bric-a-brac, a broad leather-covered seat, and some easy reading-chairs complete the furnishinofs of the room. MRS. GOULD'S SUITE ~,-^i HADING from the bedroom is a private hall connectino: with the boudoir, which corresponds to the ^'^'■*" dressing-room in general tone effect. The globes of the electric lamps are half-open roses of ",; opalescent glass. Wall cabinets of French plate glass; a beautiful writing desk of the Louis XIV s^^-aa—/ period; a long, low divan piled high with silken cushions, and, above it, an Oriental canopy, from which hangs a colored glass lantern of novel design, are among the attractions of the apartment. A bathroom in ivory and rose tiles, titled with electric, tub, and foot baths, completes the suite. c^y MR. GOULD'S SUITE accessories lends to the upper deck. R. GOULD'S suite, which adjoins that of his wife, consists of three commodious rooms, on the starboard side of the yacht, finished in natural birch, the carpet and draperies being of Yale blue. The largest contains a brass bedstead, a roll-top desk, and a safe. A telephone stands at the head of the bed, by means of which the owner can communicate with all parts of the ship. The dressing-room is furnished with a bureau, a mirror, closets for clothes, and the usual From this suite doors lead to Mrs. Gould s suite, the dining-room, and a hall from which a staircase BATHROOM !N MR. GOULD'S SUITE TssCTfbigfflR. GOULD'S bathroom is one of the most complete ever placed on board a yacht. It is a large, well-ventilated apartment, the walls and tloor being covered with white tiles, having a blue flower in the centre, it is tltt.ed with shower, tub, and foot baths, and is heated in cool weather by electricity. Much attention has been paid to the plumbing, not only of this room, but of all the rooms of similar character on the yacht. The floors are first covered with sheet-lead on which the tiles are then laid in cement. This arrangement prevents any possibility of leakage in case water should be accidently spilled. J^jA^\'' j,« I DINING-ROOM ON THE MAIN DECK -ONYX FIREPLACE -PIANO IN CARVED OAK CASE ^^g N bonrd the Niagara, the dining-saloon is the largest room, its dimensions being 36 x 24 feet. It is S'^bP finished in hand-carved quartered oak and decorated with old Renaissance tapestry. At one end "aMk^^K is a serviceable open fireplace enclosed with slabs of delicately tinted Mexican onyx, above which *******'»^ rises an elaborately carved mantel of oak bearing in bold relief a representation of Diana standing, spear in hand, ready for the chase. Directly opposite the fireplace rests an upright piano in a massively carved oak case which matches the rest of the apartment. Three old tapestry panels in the top complete its decorations. The high-backed chairs belonging to this room are also made of carved oak upholstered with tapestry. On four sideboards of stout oak curiously carved are displayed the owner's elaborate dinner service in gold and silver. Ten large porthole windows and two skylights of tinted glass flood the saloon with sunlight during the day, and at night scores of electric bulbs half-hidden in the ceiling diffuse a soft mellow glow over the apartment. THE STEWARDS PANTRY 4^ EYOND the dining-room is tiie steward's pantry, wiiicii is much larger than those usually found in -..^^ pretentious city houses. It is furnished with several china closets with glass fronts, and racks in Ij^ the ceiling which hold the goblets, wine glasses, etc. Ice boxes for the storage of wines, fruits, butter and vegetables for immediate use are conveniently located. The wood- work is light in color, and the walls are covered with white tiles. An abundance of light is obtained from several large port-holes. Every possible convenience is provided for cleaning the silver and glass-ware. GENERAL VIEW OF OWNER'S KITCHEN ONNECTING directly with tiie pantry is tine l^itciien or galley, Mr. Gould's chef having a range for his special use. The walls of the kitchen are covered with white enamelled tiles and the floor with serviceable vitreous brick arranged in appropriate designs. It is fitted with every modern appliance for the prompt preparation and speedy service of meals, including an electric range and heater. The chef who cooks for the crew has a separate kitchen service. A bake-shop, equipped with the usual appliances for turning out a daily supplv of bread for the owner's guests and the crew of the yacht, is a feature of this department. STAIRCASE IN LOWER HALL jORWARD of Mr. and Mrs. Gould's suites, on the main deck, are four guest chambers opening from a broad, richly carpeted hall. They are 12 feet square and each is finished in a different kind of wood, the beauty of the grain of each being carefully brought out by hand polishing. The carpets and the hangings match the color of the woodwork. One of the chambers is in curly maple, another in sycamore, the third in prima vera, and the fourth in California redwood. On the lower deck, reached by a broad staircase, are three more guest chambers of the same character, though finished in different woods, and like them provided with private bath-rooms, the tiling of which has a dash of color to match. Each is furnished with a brass bed, a bureau with a large plate-glass mirror, a wall writing-desk, and a cedar-lined clothes closet. In addition to those already enumerated there are rooms for Mr. Gould's private secretary, doctor, valet, and personal servants; an apothecary shop, a photographer's room, a fully equipped steam laundry, a hospital, and a room for fishing tackle and camping outfit. THE CREWS QUARTERS. The space devoted to the comfort of the crew is a striking feature of the Niagara. One of the first orders given by Mr. Gould, vv'hen the construction of the yacht was begun, was that the men who were to run the engines, fire the boilers, and take care of the ship should have attractive living rooms. As a result of the provisions made the Niagara's crew of 78 men have the most commodious quarters to be found on any yacht. The forecastle is a large, well-lighted, and well-ventilated room painted white. The bunks are constructed of light iron framework, with wide spaces between each tier, and are furnished with an abundance of blankets and comfortables. The officers occupy state-rooms which compare favorably with those found on ocean steamships. Aft on the main deck is a recreation hall for the men. It extends the entire width of the ship, the sea walls being so arranged that they can be opened when desired, thus giving the crew what is practicallv an open deck. THE ELECTRIC PLANT. The electric-light plant consists of two direct-connected dynamos and engines installed in duplicate, each set having a capacity of 400 i6-candle-power lamps. There is a storage battery of 80 lights capacity installed in a convenient place and wired up complete. The direct-connected four-pole multipolar generators are driven by a 6 X T double-enclosed Sturtevant engine, running at a speed of =;so revolutions per minute under a boiler pressure of 100 lbs., which will develop 40 horse-power. There is also one polished brass type " D " Rushmore pilot-house projector, 18 inches in diameter, taking 4t amperes, the whole wired and installed complete. The wiring of the ship was done by the electrical staff of the builders, and the whole installation was finished complete by their workmen. The various outlets are grouped on six ciicuits, and the installation and wiring are done in the most approved manner, with all provisions possible for safety and artistic effect. The plant is provided with the usual instruments and spares for operation at sea. On nights when an illumination is desired qoo lights outlining the hull, masts, and spars of the yacht can be used at one time in addition to the great searchlight on the bridge. The part which electricity plays upon this palatial craft is a most important one. It runs the big orchestrion in the music hall, cooks steaks in the kitchen, warms the rooms, lights cigars, operates the laundry machinery, heats my lady's curling tongs, carries messages over the telephone wires, summons the servants, and cools the air with whirling fans. THE NIAGARA'S ENGINES. The engines of the Niagara are of the triple-expansion, inverted cylinder, direct-acting, surface-condensing type, with a working pressure of i6o pounds to the square inch. The cylinders are i8, 28, and 4^ inches respectively, with a 30-inch stroke. The steam is supplied by three Scotch boilers, each having three furnaces. There are two sets of engines, so that in case one set becomes disabled the yacht can still proceed under the other. The coal bunkers have a capacity of 4S0 tons, a quantity sufficient to take the Niagara to Southampton and back at a twelve-knot speed. The contract speed of the boat is fourteen knots an hour. She is classed under the highest classification at English Lloyds and United States standard, being for a twenty-year rating under special survey. The yacht is completely fitted with handling gear, including steam capstan and steam windlass forward, and independent steam capstan aft, together with a special steam winch on forecastle for quick-handling purposes, and a steam engine with two gypsies located amidships for the sole purpose of hoisting the steam launches and small boats. There is also a hand-screw gear aft for relief-steering purposes. THE REFRIGERATING PLANT. The refrigerating plant is a Remington No. 2 machine, with a capacity of four hundred pounds of ice per day, and to cool fifteen hundred cubic feet of space to a temperature of 34° F. The machine has two 4 X q-inch vertical single-acting ammonia cylinders on one housing, operated by a 7 x 7-inch \ertical engine direct-connected on the same base, complete with all attachments. There is also one ammonia condenser of the submerged type, consisting of a salt-water tank with ammonia-liquifying coils of extra heavy pipe, with all valves and connections. There is one steel brine tank five feet four inches long by two feet eight inches wide and thirtv-six inches deep, with removable covers, provided with necessary ammonia expansion coils of extra heavv pipe, with all valves and connections, arranged to contain fifteen galvanized ice cans, with covers, to hold fifty-pound cakes of ice, and one 3 x 2 x 3-inch duplex steam pump, brass mounted, for brine circulation, with brine gauge, lubrica- tor, and brass-cased thermometer complete. A system of galvanized piping is erected in the cold-storage room and refrigerators for the circulation of the brine. There are two ammonia gauges mounted on an ornamental board, and one ammonia receiver, and connecting pipes, valves, and fittings for the system. In connection with the machinery department there is an evaporating and distilling plant of fifteen tons capacity. WATER SUPPLY AND DRAINAGE SYSTEM. Abundant provisions have been made for furnishing the owner, his guests, and crew with fresh water. Tanks having a capacity of over is, 000 gallons are conveniently located for this purpose. Much attention has been given by the builders of the Niagara to the subject of drainage. A double service of pipes is provided, one connecting all of the basins and tubs in the owner's quarters with a five hundred gallon tank in the hold, and the other connecting the bathrooms and water-closets with sewage tanks similarly located. The contents of these tanks are pumped overboard by steam or water siphon. WAV 29 1899 ■SS& iSSi^iSiiSSSSS^ :^ LIBRARY OF CONGRESS 029 726 921 5 i