Harpalyce - Launch

LAUNCH AT WEST HARTLEPOOL

Northern Daily Mail April 29/11

Yesterday Messrs. Wm Gray and Co, Ltd., launched the handsome steel screw steamer Harpalyce, which they have built to the order of Messrs. J. and C. Harrison, Ltd., London.

She will take the highest class in Lloyd’s Register,  and is of the following dimensions, viz.: Length over all, 441ft., breadth, 53ft. 6in.; and depth, 31ft. 8 in.; with two decks laid, extra long bridge, poop, and top-gallant forecastle.

A large saloon, panelled in teak and having square windows in front and a dome shaped skylight, together with staterooms, captain’s officers, and engineers’ rooms, etc., are fitted up in houses on the bridge deck amidships, all heated by steam and fitted with ventilation and sanitary appliances throughout. Accommodation for crew will be fitted up in the forecastle.

The hull is built with deep frames and holds quite clear of all obstructions, cellular double bottom, and large aft and fore peak ballast tanks, fourteen steam winches, return exhaust pipes and winch condenser, steam steering gear amidships, hand screw gear aft, four masts with telescopic topmasts, derrick tables, out-riggers and twenty-two derricks, also Porter’s patent derrick sockets for dealing with heavy lifts, patent direct steam windlass, fresh water distiller, shifting boards, trunks and feeders for bulk grain cargoes, stockless anchors, steel life boats, ice house, ventilation for the eastern trade, electric lighting, and all requirements for a first class cargo steamer.

The engine and boiler room, tank tops, bunkers, tops of casings, etc., are coated with bitumastic enamel.

The machinery will be supplied by the Central Marine Engineering Works of the builders. The engines, triple-expansion, have cylinders 28in., 45in., and 75in. by 51in stroke. The main condenser is designed to maintain a high vacuum, whilst attention has been given to insure a high temperature in the boiler feed water. Steam is generated in four large steel boilers of the builders ”flanged shell” type at a pressure of 180lbs. per square inch, the heating surface being over 8,900 square feet,  and is worked under Howden’s system of forced draught. With the bronze propeller fitted, the speed of the vessel will be about 11 knots.

The hull and machinery have been constructed under the supervision of Mr. W. Crandell, the owner’s superintendent, and the ceremony of naming the steamer Harpalyce was gracefully performed by Miss Jeannette Harrison, Great House Court, East Grinstead.

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