3-034-794 - The Print Collector/Heritage Images

The new steam-ship Egypt, 1871. 'The National Steam-Ship Company has added to its fleet of steamers, for the Liverpool and New York line, one called the Egypt, which is, we believe, except the Great Eastern, the largest steam-ship afloat. The Egypt is 450 ft. 6 in. in length, 44ft. in breadth of beam, and 36 ft. in depth of hold and her gross measurement of burden is 5150 tons. She is fitted with engines constructed on the compound principle, working up to 3000-horse power, and supplied with steam by six double boilers...The saloons, state-rooms, and officers' rooms are warmed by steam-pipes, which are far less dangerous than the heat generated by stoves, especially when a vessel is pitching in a heavy seaway. The ship has five steam-winches and a steam capstan and windlass of Napier's patent. The steam-winches supersede a vast amount of manual labour: they work the pumps, hoist the sails, and discharge and load the cargo. The Egypt...can "let out" as much canvas as any vessel afloat; but bending canvas will hardly be necessary when she can forge ahead at the rate of about thirteen knots an hour by steam alone...The Egypt started from Liverpool, on her first voyage to New York, yesterday week, with 480 passengers and 3000 tons of cargo'. From "Illustrated London News", 1871.