A MILLIONAIRE'S YACHT. The Magnificent Floating Palace Which is Being Constructed for One of the Vanderbilts.

Te Aroha News, Volume IV, Issue 192, 19 February 1887, Page 8

A MILLIONAIRE'S YA CHT. The Magnificent Floating Palace Which is Being Constructed for One of the Vanderbilts.

A Wilmington, Del., correspondent of the New York "Herald" writes: The construction of William K. Vanderbilt's handsome steam yacht Alva ie rapidly^approaching completion. The machinary for propelling the vessel is all in place, and riggers tiow swarm above decks, and the standing rigging is going up rapidly, t"-o of her masts being iv position. On the main deck the three steel houses are nearly completed.' All of them are paneled over or sheathed with teak wood, and will be finished inside with mahogany. From the forward one which contains the chart-room, galley and reception-room, descent ia made by a mahogany stairway to a large hall, on which open the main dining aulojn and the owner's private quarters, com pricing nine rooms f.nd a nursery. Iho dining saloon is th 9 full width of tho ship. When completed it will be olegar.tly paneled in toft wood and finished with white enamel and gold. Facing the main entrance will be a handsome mantel and fireplace, which will give the room achoerful and humr-lik** appeal i* cc. A lai s -u c wcrod with ob-cm .ri glass, jiisea light and ventilation. Ail tho staterooms ate finished to cou-e-pjnd with the rlining hall, but each will bo supplied with adilWcnt vatiety of futuit arc in appropriate de-ign \ Under tho floor of each dtate loom i^ a bath-tub supplied with hot and cold water, ar.d may ho salt- or froth ay wi'l. Inoiß tho diuhig-huli, going aft, therein a pi.-v«agtwj.y to tho Jib:«n-y. Abioast of the online thin passage widens to admit of an npholsteied eont, from which a full viow can be had ot the working ot the machinery. Tho library is on fhe *r i-boa-u side of tho *hip nnd i- panelkd in F:onch walnut. It a'-o has a fiiepkco and mantel. On the oppo^ta ?ido and back of the li l raiy are .-oven BUfe-r< omt> for the Uro of guests, each provided with bath and v.a^hstanris. For + ho comfort 01 tho olhcois there aie provided spacious npaitmonN, which will be fitted with bed, bureau, wardrobe, washst/'ind and bath. A mes* room for the ofh"curs and galley for the cr- w are on the for\\aid pair, of tho ship. The accomodution* *oi the s ai!ors and firemen ix<o in tho forx^ x:d nnri >»ftor end of tho vea-t4 respectively, Thc-c are furnished with bunks-, locker? and clo-tt3, and are moJeh of comfort j»nd noann'^s 'L'}»e nprtct, undei the cabin deck forv.-aid to be occupied by the etewaid and is divided into provision, wine, and cooling rooms and ice haute. Forwaid of these aro the mates t-toie-roomp. The mun gall A y, which will be equipped with all the appointments 01 a modern kitchen, is? in tho forward hou&e in the main deck The middle house on deck i^ occupied by- a diyingroora, lamp-room, and vapour bathroom The very best matodals and methods have been ueed to produce a first-class yacht. The deck-planking ia a marvel of whiteness, close joints and beauty of •'streaking," being of the beet American white pine and laid with the greatest care, Tho skylight* aie numerous and elaborate, be'ng foimed of teak and fitted with pressed checkered glass and plate-glasa, protected by br;w?B fender rods and storm shutters The <=a-h opens both athwartship and fore and uft, ac ventilation may demand. The system of automatic communication between the bridge and the engine-room, though not yet completed, will consist of a special device of plates, dials, handles, etc. This is known as the bridge telegraph, and will be most perfect in its workings. The rig of the yacht is to be thre6-masted schooner, square ■ aigged forward, with 41 6ddled " topmast. Her sail plan is large Three yarda on the foremost, thiee jibs and an unusual hoist of mainsail aDd mizzensail The entire ship will be lighted throughout by electricity, even the officers' and crew's quarters being so illuminated. There will also be a powerful .-earch light forward, which can be made to ligh' up rhe fie 1 * for a distance of six mile" ahead. The vessel will probably be finished in February.