Saloon Steam-Packet Company’s Vessel “Alexandra,” for Passengers Travelling on the Thames. Illustrated London News. 57 (15 July 1865): 32. [Click on image to enlarge it.]
“The Alexandra, as shown in our Engraving, differs much from any other class of steam-boat employed in passenger traffic on the river Thames. As this is the first vessel which the Saloon Steam-packet Company have started here, we have thought it worthy of an Illustration. We must add a few particulars relating to the dimensions of this vessel. The length of tne Alexandra is 240 ft., and her breadth 22 ft. 9 in. She is estimated at 140-horse power, nominal, and she is capable of travelling at the rate of nearly twenty miles an hour. Her burden is 157•29 [sic] tons, and, being flat bottomed, her draught of water is scarcely 4 ft. This is considered a great advantage, and one which forms a special feature in the vessel’s construction, as the steam-ships at present on the Thames have sharp keels, and could not, therefore, be rendered capable of carrying the weight of a deck saloon. This deck saloon, formed upon the plan of the 14 “hurricane decks” known in America, constitutes the great novelty which the directors have sought to introduce into this country. In this case they have adapted a vessel, originally intended for a blockade-runner, to the peaceful purpose of conveying passengers from London Bridge to Gravesend. The vessel is substantially built, and her 14 “fitments” and decorations are ingenious and tasteful, without being unnecessarily costly, while the general arrangements for her management are such as will secure the favour of the public. The vessel is constructed for carrying 1018 passengers, and these can be so distributed that there need be no apprehension of “over-crowding.” The builders of the vessels were Messrs. Kirkpatrick and M‘Intyre, of Port Glasgow; and Messrs. Smith and Co., of Greenock, constructed the engines, which are on the diagonal oscillating principle.”
Formatting and text by George P. Landow. You may use this image without prior permission for any scholarly or educational purpose as long as you (1) credit the Internet Archive and the University of Toronto and (2) link your document to this URL in a web document or cite the Victorian Web in a print one.
Last modified 13 August 2020