The cruise of the steam yacht North Star; a narrative of the excursion of Mr. Vanderbilt's party to England, Russia, Denmark, France, Spain, Malta, Turkey, Madeira, etc

Front matter

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Preface

I HAD the opportunity afforded me, by an indulgent congregation, to spend the summer of 1851 in Europe ; and, on my return, I published a small volume (on which I was aided by three young friends and pupils, who were the companions of my tour), entitled " Young Americans Abroad, or Vacation in Europe." This had a favorable reception by the public, and has passed into a fourth edition and been reprinted in London. I had no idea that I should again revisit the Old World ; or, at least, supposed that many years would elapse ere such a gratification could be enjoyed.

Last February my valued friend, Mr. Vanderbilt, informed me that he proposed in May to take his family on a voyage to the principal seaports of Europe, in a steam yacht then building for that purpose ; and he most kindly 1*

VI PREFACE.

invited me to be his guest. I saw no way by whicli I could accept his generous proposition consistently with the duties which I owed to my church and congregation ; but, with a spirit of liberality and affection which I can never forget, they urged my acceptance of so fine an occasion to visit portions of the world rarely accessible to American tourists J and I concluded to joui the party. My friends generally suggested that the excursion would afford sufficient interest to warrant a record. My excellent publishers, Messrs. Gould and Lincoln, at once claimed a volume ; and, finding that my fellow- voyagers wished for a memorial of our four happy months spent in the North Star, I have consented to chronicle the movements of the most agreeable association of my life. I know that books of Travels have multiplied of late with fearful rapidity ; but still the vast amount of readers in our country creates a steady demand for such publications.

A book of travels that contains reliable and interestino; information has a good tendency. I remember with pleasure my own boyish gratification in reading Mavor's fine collection of voyages and travels ; that set of books gave a turn to my future life, and a large share of my happiness

P HE F A C E . Vn

may be traced back to the influences produced on my mind by the perusal of such works. It is a great thing to excite the intellect of a lad in a right direction. When I was about nine years of age, I used to pass many delicious hours in a cobbler's stall, not eight feet square, listening to his stories about the American revolutionary war, and the wars of the English and French in Canada. I made my earliest acquaintance with Lake George, Ticonderoga and Niagara Falls, by the side of the old man's lapstone, whilst he told me how fields were won; and Cobbler Hunt's stories about Indians and lakes, beavers and buffaloes, swans and flamingoes, had much to do with creating a desire to know more of the scenes of his exploits and adventures. This world is full of beauty, and it teems with wonders ; and I never see a fresh portion of God's earth, but I feel some respect for the old gentleman's opinion, who, on going from Maine to Albany for the first time that he had left his native state, declared, on his return, that the world was more extensive than he had supposed. There is much to see wherever we turn, if our eyes are opened. All men have their own peculiar taste ; and in a party of three or four visiting a foreign city, each member of it will see things in a different point of light. I believe that few

VIII PREFACE.

persons have enjoyed so fine an opportunity to visit the coast of Europe as we had who formed the North Star party ; and I hope that a plain narrative of the excursion, which has excited so much interest at home and abroad, may prove useful and entertaining. Those of our countrymen who were in Europe this summer are well aware that the presence of the steam yacht in foreign ports was to them the occasion of justifiable pride ; while to foreigners she was the fruitful theme of admiration and reflection.

John Overton Choules.

Newport, R. L, Jan. 9, 1854.

€antn\is.

Chapter I

ORIGIN OP THE YACHT VOYAGE — VARIOUS IDEAS AS TO ITS OBJECT — MR.

VANDERBILT'S EXACT ARRANGEMENT DESCRIPTION OF NORTH STAR

HER INTERNAL ARRANGEMENTS FURNITURE, ETC. COMMANDER ASA

ELDRIDGE, ESQ. — OFFICERS AND CREW, 17

Chapter II

READY TO SAIL — ALL ON BOARD 19 MAY — YACHT RUNS ON A REEF —

NAVY -YARD AND DRY DOCK REPAIRS SOON MADE DEPARTURE 20

MAY PILOT LEFT YACHT MUSTER-ROLL OP THE PARTY FAMILY

WORSHIP EMOTIONS OP VOYAGERS SAFETY, NOT SPEED, THE RULE

STRIKE OP FIREMEN — GREEN HANDS DIVINE SERVICE LAND-BIRD

CONCERTS GREAT RUN OP THREE HUNDRED AND FORTY-FOUR MILES

— COMFORT AND LUXURY OF VOYAGE — MR. VANDERBILT'S COURTESY — PILOT CHANNEL, 25

Chapter III. Southampton Scenery — Historical Associations — Steam Packet

COMPANIES HIGH-STREET AMERICAN VICE-CONSUL, MR. COX DOCKS

STEAMERS REV. THOMAS ADKINS ARRIVE IN LONDON QUEEN 'S

DRAWING-ROOM — OBJECTS OF CURIOSITY, ETC. — HYDE PARK — KEN- SINGTON GARDENS regent's PARK VISITS TO WESTMINSTER AND OTH- ER PUBLIC PLACES WINDSOR HAMPTON COURT BRISTOL CLIi'TON

AND VICINAGE TINTERN HENBURY AND COTTAGES LOCAL SCENERY

BERKELEY CASTLE GLOUCESTER CHELTENHAM ENGLISH COUNTRl

CONTENTS,

Chapter IV

HON. AND KEV. BAPTIST NOEL — MB. GEOKGE PEABODY — OPERA — DINNER

AT RICHMOND HON. STEPHEN A. DOUGLAS RECEPTION-NIGHT AT

HON. J. B. INGERSOLL'S, THE AMERICAN MINISTER THE LORD MAY- OR'S SOIREE — MR. DEPUTY BENOCH — THOMAS PRICE, LL.D. — TOOVEY'S

BOOKSTORE — DEPUTATION PROM SOUTHAMPTON TONE OP ENGLISH

FEELING TOWARDS THE UNITED STATES AN ENGLISH TRAVELLER

STREET AMUSEMENTS — SCENE IN AN OMNIBUS, 46

Chapter V. Interest Excited By Arrival Of The North Star — London Daily

NEWS DULWICH GALLERY MR. THOMAS COLLEY GRATTAN A QUICK

TRIP TO LEIPSIC OUR RETURN TO SOUTHAMPTOJI VISIT TO NETLEY

ABBEY HISTORICAL NOTICE SCENERY REV. DR. KREBBS EXCUR- SIONS — REV. ALEXANDER MACLAREN — SERVICES OP THE SABBATH, 67

Chapter VI

JUNE 13, THE BANQUET AT SOUTHAMPTON — CARD OF INVITATION — AP- PEARANCE OF TOWN VICTORIA ROOMS MAYOR DINNER ACCOUNT

OF PROCEEDINGS AND SPEECHES IN THE HAMPSHIRE INDEPENDENT

EXCURSION OF THE NORTH STAR, WITH THE MAYOR AKft) INVITED

GUESTS, ROUND THE ISLE OF WIGHT DINNER ON BOARD ACCOUNT

TAKEN FROM THE HAMPSHIRE INDEPENDENT, 69

Chapter VII. Voyage — Coast Op Norway — Kbonborg Castle And Elsinore — Ships

IN THE SOUND COPENHAGEN BOBNHOLM AND OLAND ISLANDS DR.

LINSLY MIRAGE — DAGO ISLAND STEAMER NEPTUNE CRONSTADT

FORTIFICATIONS DOCKS SHIPPING PUBLIC BUILDINGS CHOLERA

PETERHOFP WOODS VAUXHALL HOTEL MARLY AND MONTPLAISIB

— PETER THE GREAT HIS HOUSE — FURNITURE COTTAGE OF CATHE- RINE A BIDE THROUGH THE GROUNDS WATER-WORKS, ETC. PETER-

HOFF IMPERIAL PALACE IMPERIAL YACHT, AND GRAND DUKE CONSTAN-

TINE — ADMIRAL GLASSENOFF — MR. MULLEB — MINIATURE PALACE — COSSACKS, 108

CONTENTS. Xi

Chapter VIII

SMALL STEAMER — DRESS OP OFFICERS — VIEW OP ST. PETERSBURQ — Ql

PROCESSION HOTELS POLITENESS -^ MR. ROPES, U. S. CONSUL SUM- MER ISLANDS PETER THE GREAT'S FIRST HOUSE — THE CITY ADMI- RALTY — STATUE OP PETER NEFFSKY PERSPECTIVE SERFS VIEW OP

CITY BY MOONLIGHT WINTER PALACE AND ITS DEPARTMENTS — RE- GALIA THE HERMITAGE PAINTINGS OP DIFFERENT SCHOOLS THE

LOGGiE — Peter's museum — precious stones — horologe — wreaths

AND laurels prom CHERSONESUS MARBLE PALACE ALEXANDER PIL- LAR MR. EVANS MONASTERY OP ALEXANDER NEFFSKY ENGLISH

CHURCH — KESAU CATHEDRAL — ITS INTERIOR AND SERVICE — ISAAC CHURCH, 121

Chapter IX. Major Thompson Brown — Droskys Wedding — Gostinnoi Dvor

STREETS MILITARY FAREWELL TO ST. PETERSBURG RETURN TO

THE YACHT — VISITORS — REGATTA — CRONSTADT — MR. WILKINS — DANGEROUS POSITION — VISIT PROM GRAND DUCHESS OP OLDENBURGH AND FAMILY — STEAMBOAT PARTY AND IMPERIAL BAND — THE EMPEROR QUEEN DOWAGER OP HOLLAND — NARROW ESCAPE, 141

.CHAPTER X.

VOYAGE — COPENHAGEN — THORWALDSEN'S MUSEUM — FRUEKIRKE — THOR- WALDSEN'8 CHRIST AND HIS APOSTLES — THE SCULPTOR — ROSENBERGH PALACE — ITS RICH COLLECTIONS OP ART — COINS AND MEDALS — PARK — STATUARY — COUNTRY — EXCHANGE — GALLERIES — AMALIENBORQ PLADS — SONG OP THE WATCHMAN, 149

Chapter XI

OFF FOR HAVRE — SCENERY OP THE SOUND ISLE OP HUEN — TYCHO BRAHE

— NORWAY AND SWEDEN — GODWIN SANDS LIGHT-SHIP — DOVER AND WALMER CASTLES — HAVRE — STEADIER FRANKLIN — MR. VE3EY, U. 8.

CONSUL THE TOWN — HISTORICAL INCIDENTS — INGOUVILLB — LEAVE

lOR PARIS — ROUEN, POISSY, ETC., 158

XII CONTENTS,

Chapter XII

HOTELS — HON. S. G. GOODRICn — AMERICAN CLERaY IN EUROPE — REVIEW

REV. ROBERT LOVETT AND HIS CHAPEL CONFERENCE OF AMERICANS

METHODIST CHAPEL LOUVRE JARDIN DES PLANTES PALAIS DB

JUSTICE FLOWER-MARKET HOTEL DE CLUGNY ENGLISH FRIENDS

VERSAILLES GARDEN OF THE TUILLERIES AND CHAMPS-EL YS^ES PONT

NEUP AND OLD PARTS OP PARIS — HOTEL DE VILLE — CHURCHES — ROYAL LIBRARY — GOBELINS — ST. DENIS NEUILLY — CHAPELLE ST. FERDI- NAND — CHAPELLE EXPIATOIRE — FONTAINEBLEAU, 165

Chapter XIII

KEV. J. R. PEAKE — NAPOLEON'S TOMB IN THE HOTEL DES INVALIDES

LOUIS PHILIPPE — DESCRIPTION OP THE CRYPT GALLERY, ETC.

MOSAICS — CARYATIDES SARCOPHAGUS* — RELIQUARY — ALTAR AND

BALDAQUIN — GUIDE — CLOIATE OF PARIS — OVERTURES MADE TO MR. VANDERBILT — WOODMAN AND FORR — RAILROAD TO ROUEN — HIS- TORIC NOTICE POPULATION OP ROUEN CATHEDRAL INTERIOR

MONUMENTS RICHARD GCEUR DE LION, ETC. ABBEY OP ST. OUEN

PALACE OF JUSTICE — JOAN OF ARC — CORNEILLE — ENGLISH CHURCH

VISITORS, 186

Chapter XIV

VOYAGE RESUMED — BAY OP BISCAY — VIGO BAY — LOSS OP ROBERT OGDEN FLINT — ROCK OP LISBON — CAPE ST. VINCENT — TRAFALGAR

TARIFA — COAST OP AFRICA — ROCK OP GIBRALTAR — MALAGA

QUARANTINE — WATERING — VISITORS FROM SHORE — FUNERAL SERMON

CATHEDRAL BEGGARS IN THE STREETS A PRETTY BOY AND A

STRONG RESEMBLANCE — JOSE CUBERO — PRIEST WITH BELL AND BOX

— BULL RING — REV. CHARLES BRERETON — BISHOP OP BARCELONA

CALECHES AND DRIVERS — RIDE TO MR. DELIUS' VILLA AND VINE- YARDS — ALAMEDA — MULETEERS — MR. CONSUL SMITH — HARBOR OP MALAGA, 199

CONTENTS. Xm

Chapter XV

OFF FOR LEQHORN CARTHAOENA IVICA MAJORCA MINORCA COR- SICA SCENERY GORGONA LEGHORN HOTEL ST. MARCO FREE

PORT OPERA — SCOTCH FREE CHURCH — SERVICE ON SABBATH — STREETS

ADMIRABLY PAVED EVENING SERVICE THE PARSONAGE-HOUSE GOS- PEL IN ITALY, 211

Chapter XVI. Arrive At Florence Hotel D'italie Ride City And Streets

ETC. PITTI PALACE PICTURES CANOVA'S VENUS DUKE'S APART- MENTS MUSEUM POWERS AND HART POWERS' STUDIO AND HI3

WORK hart's STUDIO BUSTS OF AMERICANS STATUE OP HENRY

CLAY UFFIZII GALLERY STATUARY TRIBUNE VENUS DE MEDICI

KNIFE-GRINDER, ETC. TITIAN'S VENUSES RAPHAEL'S PICTURES, ETC.

NIOBE RUBENS POWELL'S DE SOTO, ETC. CATHEDRAL CAMPANILE

BAPTISTERY SANTO CROCE — CHAPEL OF THE MEDICI ST. LORENZO

SACRISTY MICHAEL ANGELO'S DAY AND NIGHT PALAZZO VECCHIO

DUCAL PIAZZA STATUARY, 218

Chapter XVII. Santa Maria Novella — Paintings — Spezieria — Residence Of Michael

ANGELO CHURCH OP THE ANNUNCIATION THE CASCINE SCENERY

MOUNTAINS THE BRIDGES FRIENDS IN FLORENCE OLIVER CROM- WELL'S PORTRAIT IMPRESSIONS OF FLORENCE LEAVE FOR PISA

THE CITY LEANING TOWER CATHEDRAL CAMPO SANTO THE BAP- TISTERY SANTA MARIA DELLA SPINA THE CAMELS — LEGHORN GOV- ERNMENT ALARMED AT OUR YACHT VISITORS, ETC., 233

Chapter XVIII. Leave Leghorn For Civita Vecchia — Harbor — Difficulties On Our

WAY DISAPPOINTMENT VOYAGE RESUMED — SEE ST. PETER'S AFAR

OFF ISCHIA PROCEDA BAIA, ETC. BRIDGE OP CALIGULA NA- PLES THE BAY RENEWED DISAPPOINTMENT SWIMMERS LADY MOR- GAN VESUVIUS, ETC. CAPRI AND SUNSET STROMBOLI AND ^TNA

CAPE FARO, OR PELORUS SCYLLA EARTHQUAKE OF 1783 — MESSINA

— SCENERY OF THE STRAITS — RHEGIUM — MOUNT ^TNA — SYRACUSE CAPE PASSARO — MALTA, 244

. 2

XIV CONTENTS.

Chapter XIX

HARBOR — ARABS — ALLOWED TO LAND — VISIT FROM MR. CONSUL WIN- THROP DIVERS HISTORICAL NOTICE VALETTA TILE RACES — MAL- TESE BOATS INVITATION FROM THE GOVERNOR TO TAKE DINNER

INVITATIONS FROM THE OFFICERS OF THE GARRISON VISIT TO SIR

WILLIAM REID GOVERNOR'S PALACE MR. WINTHROP'S RESIDENCE

MSS. OF ITALIAN OPERAS CAPTAIN THOMAS GRAVES, R.N. CITTA

VECCHIA SHOPS THE GOVERNOR AND SUITE VISIT THE YACHT ST.

JOHN'S CHURCH WALLS OF THE CITADEL COUNTRY PEOPLE COS- TUME FORTS ANGELO, RICASOLI, MANOEL, TIGN^ AND ST. ELMO

TURKISH SIEGE IN 1565 DEPART FOR CONSTANTINOPLE, 256

Chapter XX. Mobea Cerigo Cape Colonna Tenedos — Plains Of Troy English

AlfD FRENCH FLEETS SIGJ3UM HELLESPONT ■ — DARDANELLES CAS- TLES OF EUROPE AND ASIA PROPONTIS, OR SEA OF MARMORA FIRST

VIEW OF STAMBOUL SCENERY ANCHORAGE OFF PERA MR. BROWN

AND OTHER VISITORS — VISIT TO PERA, GALATA AND TOPHANA SUL- TAN 'S NEW PALACE GULLS — SULTAN 'S FIRMAN SERAGLIO ATMEI-

DAN, OR HIPPODROME SUBLIME PORTE LIBRARY ANCIENT ARMOR

MOSQUE OF ST. SOPHIA — HISTORICAL NOTICE, ETC., 275

Chapter XXI

MOSQUE OF ACHMET — MUZZEIN'S CALL — COSTUMES OF THE JANISSARIES REV. MR. BENJAMIN TOMB OF SULTAN MAHMOUD BAZAARS SHOP- PING VISIT TO THE ENGLISH YACHT SYLPHIDE — TURKISH VISITORS

AMERICAN MISSIONARIES EXCURSION TO SCUTARI HOWLING DER- VISHES CEMETERY WEDDING BULGURLU SCENERY CHALCEDON

— A KIOSK HOUSE IN WHICH THE LATE SULTAN DIED SOLDIERS

COMING IN FROBI ASIA — DARK RIDE — SAIL TO BEBEK • — AFFECTING

INCIDENT VILLAGE OF BEBEK MISSION PREMISES EDUCATION OF

BOYS IN MECHANICAL ARTS PERSECUTION — MR. HAMLIN ARMENIAN

PRIEST THE FAMILY CIRCLE "LIGHT ON THE DARK RIVER" MISS

LOVELL MR. MINASIAN, 289

CONTENTS. 3CV

Chapter XXII

SULTAN GOma TO MOSQUE — CAIQUES — A STEAMBOAT CHARTERED — EX- CURSION UP THE BOSPHORUS — EUROPEAN BANK TURKISH AND EaYP-

TIAN FLEET SYMPLEGADES BLACK SEA ASIATIC COAST LAND AT

KANDALI BETURN TO YACHT DEPARTURE FROM CONSTANTINOPLE

VOYAGE TO GIBRALTAR ARRIVAL AT THE ROCK APPEARANCE OF

ROCK AND TOWN THE METHODIST CHAPEL REV. W. H. BIDWELL

STREETS AND MARKETS SHOPS AND GOODS EXCURSION TO THE ROCK

ENGLISH OFFICERS ST. GEORGE'S HALL ST. MICHAEL'S CAVE

MONKEYS DINNER AT MR. SPRAGUE'S HISTORICAL NOTICES SMUG- GLERS SHOT — PROFFERED HOSPITALITIES EXCURSION TO THE CORK

WOODS "CHARLEY," TUB MOORISH MERCHANT DINNER WITH THE

FORTY-FOURTH REGIMENT VISITORS TO THE YACHT, 304

Chapter XXIII

LEAVE GIBRALTAR — TANGIER — SAIL FOR MADEIRA — PORTO SANTO — MA- DEIRA FUNCHAL, AND ITS ASPECT LANDING IN THE SURF HISTORIC

NOTICE LEGEND OF JIACHIM OBSERVATIONS ON FUNCHAL CATHOLIC

INTOLERANCE MANNERS OF PEOPLE EXCURSION TO THE CHURCH OP

OUR LADY OF THE MOUNT SCENERY A MIRACLE MR. GEORGE

BROWN BEGGARS ARTICLES FOR SALE YATES' HOTEL HIS STUDY

CLIMATE SIR JAMES CLARK AND LEIGH HUNT POPULATION

BOARDING-HOUSES MODES OF TRAVEL SHOPS THE BOY-BEGGARS

BLAST OP THE VINEYARDS THE VINE WINES OF THE ISLAND FRUITS

AJID VEGETABLES — TREES AND FLOWERS BIRDS FISH DEPARTURE,

325 CHAPTER XXIV.

LEAVE FUNCHAL APPEARANCE OF THE ISLAND SKIRT THE SHORE

ROUGH WEATHER LIVE STOCK A WRECK DISCOVERED — FLYING-FISH

SANDY HOOK SALUTATIONS ON ARRIVAL SUMMARY OF THE VOYAGE

OUR OBLIGATIONS TO MR. AND MRS. VANDERBILT CAPTAIN EL-

DRIDGB AND HIS OFFICERS — THE VOYAGE A SOURCE OF PRIDE TO THE

COUNTRY, fnt 0f |IUistrati0its.

LIKENESS OF CORNELIUS VANDERBILT, Frontispikcb.

STEAM YACHT NORTH STAR, Title-page.

LIKENESS OF CAPTAIN ASA E!i.DRIDGE, p. 22

HI. VINCENT ROCKS, CLIFTON, 40

HENBURY COTTAGES, 42,45

ST. PETERSBURG, FROM THE ENGLISH QUAY, 126

GRAND ENTRANCE TO THE CRYPT, AND VIEW OF NAPOLEON'S TOMB, 189

MOSAICS ON PASSAGE-FLOOR LEADING TO THE TOMB, 190

ROUEN, , 193

LEGHORN, 212

PALAZZO VECCHIO, FLORENCE, 230

VALETTA, FROM SLIEMA, 258

MALTESE COUNTRY MAN AND WOMAN, 269

CONSTANTINOPLE, 280

GIBRALTAR, FROM THE SPANISH SIDE 311

FUNCHAL, FROM THE SEA, 327

Chapter I

OEiaiN OF THE YACHT VOYAGE — VARIOUS IDEAS AS TO ITS OBJECT — MB.

VA.NDERBILT'S EXACT ARRANGEMENT DESCRIPTION OF NORTH STAR

KEm INTERNAL ARRANGEMENTS FURNITURE, ETC. COMMANDER ASA

ELDRIDGE, ESQ. OFFICERS AND CREW.

Early in the spring of the present year, the attention of the country was directed to an item in the daily papers of New York, containing information that Mr. Yanderbilt was constructing a steam-ship of large dimensions, which he intended as a yacht for the accommodation of his family and some invited friends in a voyage to the principal sea-ports in Europe. The announcement of this project excited a deep interest in the public mind, and the excursion became a prominent subject of conversation.

Mr. Yanderbilt was known to his countrymen as a thoroughly practical man, whose energy and perseverance, combined with strong intellect and high commercial integrity, had given him immense wealth ; all his undertakings had been crowned with signal success, and his great enterprise in opening a communication with the Pacific by the Nicaragua route had made him a reputation in Europe ; and a general expectation existed that he would carry out his plan in a manner that would redound to the honor of the country. Various opinions were entertained as to his ultimate designs. Many imagined that Mr Yanderbilt proposed to effect some great mercantile operation, — he was to sell his ship to this monarch, or that government, — or, he was to take contracts for the supply of war steamers ; all sorts of speculations were entertained by that generally misinformed character, — the public. In February I was sitting with Mr. Yanderbilt 2*

18 ME. vanderbilt's object.

in his library, when he gave me the first information I ha^i received of his intentions, and he kindly invited me and my wife to accompany him to Europe in the month of May. The ship was then on the stocks, but he named the very day on which he should sail, and gave me the details of his proposed route, and from which few deviations were afterwards made. Mr. V. expressly informed me that his sole object was to gratify his family and afford himself an opportunity to see the coast of Europe, which he could do in no other way ; and he observed that, after more than thirty years' devotion to business, in all which period he had known no rest from labor, he felt that he had a right to a complete holiday.

The following description of the yacht appeared in the Illustrated News, published in New York, April 9, 1853, and I select it for my present purpose, as it is, I believe, strictly correct :

" MR. VANDERBILT'S STEAM YACUr.

" The latest enterprise in the way of steam vessels, with which Mr. Yanderbilt has had any connection, is the constniction of a yacht, for private purposes, to be propelled by steam. This vessel is called the * North Star,' and was lately launched at New York. She is to leave on a cruise to the east about the middle of May. Mr. Vanderbilt goes out in her, with some thirty or forty ladies and gentlemen, his friends. We believe he intends to land first at Southampton, then go round to London. From there the trip is to be extended, first up the Baltic ifi St. Petersburg, and then return, and go up the Mediterranean, calling at Gibraltar, Naples, Malta and Athens, visiting Constantinople and Alexandria. What will the wealthy noblemen of England — the proprietors of sailing yachts of fifty and a hundred tons — say to a citizen of the United States appearing in their waters with a steamship yacht of twenty-five hundred tons burthen; a vessel large enough to carry the armament of a British seventy-

DESCRIPTION OF NORTH STAR. 19

four ? We have shown our transatlantic cousins one sample of yachting, about which we do not care to boast. Dropping the past, we arc sure the English nobility and gentry will give the gallant * commodore ' a reception commensurate with his rank as a merchant prince, — one who goes abroad in a style not inferior to their own youthful sovereigns. We predict a sensation, at the appearance of this vessel in Europe, second to that of no arrival they have ever had from any quarter of the globe.

" The North Star has been built under the immediate supervision of her owner, whose principal object has been to combine beauty of model with strength and durability ; and, although connoisseurs in naval architecture bespeak for her a speed equal to any of our sea steamers, yet it has not been so much the design of ier owner to produce the fastest vessel afloat, as a noble specimen of American mechanical skill. Her boilers and the principal part of her engines are on board, and she will in a few weeks be ready to sail for Southampton.

" To her builder, Mr. Simonson, too much praise cannot be awarded for the care and skill he has displayed in the construction of this noble ship ; which, apart from the beauty of her model, is probably the strongest fastened vessel of her tonnage afloat. She is 260 feet on the keel, 270 feet on the spar deck, 38 breadth of beam, 13 feet from floor timber to lower deck beams, 7 feet 8 inches between decks, 7 feet 6 inches between main and spar decks, making her whole depth 28 feet 6 inches. Her keel, of white oak, is 15 inches sided by 14 inches wide, stem and stern posts of the same material, with double aprons, and inner posts of live oak, bolted through with If copper bolts, deadwoods of white oak and 13 inches through, fastened with IJ- inch copper bolts, in the most substantial manner. The floor timbers are sided 12 inches, and moulded 13 inches, being placed close together, and bolted through sideways with 1^- inch bolts. The main kelsons, of which there are five rows extendinsj the entire lenij-th of the ship, are of white oak, sided 15 inches by 32 inches deep, the

20 DESCRIPTION OF NORTH STAR.

first tier being fastened by two copper bolts 1^ inches in diameter, througb every floor timber, the upper tiers secured to the lower one with large iron bolts. The bed upon which the engine rests is composed of four rows of kelsons, 2 feet 2 inches by 5 feet deep, secured by iron screw bolts driven from the bottom before the vessel was planked. The outside planking of white oak, 3^ inches thick, increasing to 5 inches, is secured with copper bolts and locust trenails, there being 32,000 of the latter driven through and wedged upon both sides. There are six bilge streaks on the inside of the ship, covering the floor heads and futtocks 12 by 14 inches, fastened to the timbers with iron bolts, and bolted edgelays between every frame.

"The ceiling is of six-inch yellow pine, and bolted in the same manner as the bilge streak, forming one substantial mass of timber 14 feet in depth. The lower deck clamps, on which the beams rest, are 7 inches thick, thoroughly fastened with iron bolts driven from the outside, and riveted on the inside.

" There are 45 deck beams in the lower deck, with carlines between, sided 15 inches and moulded 14 inches, with lodging and bosom knees of white oak, and a large hanging knee on each end. The water ways on top of the lower deck are composed of three pieces, extending the whole length of the ship, thoroughly bolted, — making this deck sufficiently strong to stand any reasonable strain. The clamps to support the main deck are of yellow pine, 6 inches thick and 14 inches wide, of two widths. This deck is securely kneed, in the same manner as the lower one. The stanchions, which extend from the floor timbers to the lower deck beams, have a large bolt passing through them, and are continued on to the upper decks, thus connecting the deck with the bottom of the ship. The lower and main deck plank are of white pine, 3 by 5 inches ; the upper or spar deck extending the entire length of the ship.

" Her machinery is from the Allaire works. She will be propelled by two lever beam engines : cylinders, 60 inches ; length

HER INTERNAL ARRANGEMENTS. 21

of stroke, 10 feet; diameter of wheels, 34 feet. Her boilers, of which she has four, are 24 feet long, 10 feet diameter, 11 i feet front, 11 feet high, with single return flues.

" Her cabins and interior arrangements combine all that is required to insure comfort and elegance.

" The Staten Islander of the 20th of Maj, speaking of the yacht, stated that ' the main saloon is splendidly fitted up with all that can tend to gratify the eye and minister to luxurious ease. The state-rooms, which lead from it on either side, are fitted up in the first style of the upholsterer's art. The furniture throughout blends in one harmonious whole ; there are none of those glaring contrasts which are too often met with, and ofi"end the eye and taste by their incongruities. This saloon is of beautiful satin-wood, with just sufficient rosewood to relieve it, the work of which was executed by Mr. Charles Simonson. The cabinet furniture and upholstery were furnished from the extensive establishment of Messrs. J. & J. W. "Weeks. The furniture of the main saloon is of rosewood, carved in the splendid style of Louis XV., covered with a new and elegant material of figured velvet plush, with a green ground filled with bouquets of flowers. It consists of two sofas, four couches, six arm-chairs. Connected with this saloon are ten state-rooms, superbly fitted up, each with a French armour le gles, beautifully enamelled in white, with a large glass door — size of plate, forty by sixty-four inches. The berths are furnished with elegant silk lambricans and lace curtains. Each room is fitted up with a difiierent color, namely, green and gold, crimson and gold, orange, &c. The toilet furniture matches with the hangings and fittings, by being of the same colors, and presents a picture of completeness not often met with. The saloon and state-rooms are kept at a pleasant temperature by one of Van Horn's steam heaters, which occupies the centre of the cabin. It is a beautiful specimen of bronze trellis-work, with marble top, and has richly burnished gilding. The tapestry carpet is one of gorgeous pattern. Forward of saloon is a magnificent dining-saloon. This is fitted up in a style entirely new to sea-going vessels. The walls are covered with a preparation of ligneous marble, polished to a degree of mirror-like brightness that marble is incapable of receiving. The panels are of Naples granite, the style of Breschia jasper, and the surface of yellow Pyrenees marble. The ceiling of this room is in panels painted white, with scroll-work of purple, light-green and gold, surrounding medallion paintings of Columbus, Webster, Clay, Calhoun, Washington, Franklin and others, together with various emblematic conceptions. All the table furniture is of the most gorgeous description. The china is of ruby and gold finish, and the silver ware of the finest kind. The entire interior furnishing has been done with the single idea of producing the very best efi'ect possible, and every article shows elaborate design and workmanship, which reflects much credit on American taste and skill.'

A fine entrance saloon, leading from the deck, conducts, by an elegantly adorned staircase, to the main saloon. This reception saloon has a circular sofa capable of seating some twenty persons, and is covered with crimson plush. Over the stairway is a good painting of Mr. Yanderbilt's summer villa at Staten Island, which was placed there, without his knowledge, by the polite attention of his artist friend.

The command of the steamer was given by her proprietor to Asa Eldridge, Esq., a gentleman who had established a high nautical reputation as a commander in the India, Liverpool, and California trade. The first ofl&cer was Mr. Cope, of Virginia ; the second, Mr. Petersen, a native of Sweden ; the chief engineer was Mr. Germaine, of New York ; the steward, Mr. Larner, formerly of the Cunard line ; the purser, Mr. John Keefe, the well-known caterer of good things at the cafe near the Racket Club, in Broadway.

Several of the hands who shipped for the cruise were young men of the best families in the country, who were attracted by the prospect of visiting so many celebrated cities and places in a short summer passage.

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