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LAUNCH AT KOWLOON.
On April 18th an interesting ceremony was witnessed at the yard of the Hongkong and Whampoa Dock Company, when the steel twin screw river steamer Loongwo was successfully launched.
THE HONGKONG WEEKLY PRESS AND
The Longuo is a ship of 3,700 tons gross. She has a deadweight carrying capacity of 1.800 tons on 12 feet mean draft, with a speed of 13 knots loaded. Her dimensions are:- Length between perpendiculars, 330 feet; length over all, 342 feet; breadth moulded at main deck, 46 feet; breadth over guards, 58 feet; depth moulded to main deck at side. 15 feet 6 inches; height, main to upper deck, 9 feet; height, upper to promenade deck, 7 feet 3 inches. The engines are twin screw tri-compound direct acting engines on the Yarrow, Schlick and Tweedy system, triple expansion, surface condensing They are built to Board of Trade rules for a working pressure of 180 lbs. per square inob. The diameter of the cylinders is 17 inches, 38 inches, and 31 inches (2) respective- ly, with a stroke of 33 inches. There are two single-ended boilers 15 feet 6 inches on mean diameter and 11 feet 5 inches long, designed an1 constructed for a working prзssure of 180 lbs. per square inch in accordance with the Board of Trade rules and requirements. There is also a donkey boiler 8 feet x 8 feet with an 85 lb. pressure. The vessel is lighted throughout by electricity, and is fitted with a complete system of electric bells. She has been built according to the plans and specifications of the s.s. Tuckiro, which was launched from & home yard. The new ship, which is constructed river boat lines, is intended for the Yangtsze trade. She has roomy and comfortable passenger accommodation, and passengers travel. ling by her should find their journey a pleasure trip in every sense of the word. The accommoda. tion for the captain, officers and crew is also on a commodious scale, while up-to-date principles have been adopted for the expeditious baudling of cargo.
In the beginning of August last year the Loongico was ordered by the Indo- China Steam Navigation Company and last night she took the water for the first time. The turning out of such a well-equipped and modern vessel within eight months from the time when her keel was laid is a smart piece of work, and the Dock Company have every reason to be satisfied with the success of their under- taking.
Mr. A. Sinclair assisted by Mr. Robbs, superintended the work for the owners.. Mr Graham and Mr. Russell looked after the iron and steel work, Mr. G. Smith and Mr. Clelland attended to the carpenter work, Mr. Oates the joiner work, Mr. Neaves, Mr. Guy and Mr. Tully the engineering and Mr. J. Henderson the boiler-making.
A goodly company responded to the invita- tion of the directors. They were accommodated on a temporary stage, gay with bunting, where a capstan operating a guillotine had been placed. Mrs. C. W. Dickson, escorted by the manager, Mr. W. Wilson, took up her position here, and liberated the vessel which slowly slid down the ways. As she did so Mrs. Dickson performed the christening ceremony. The Loongwo took the prettily, amid the cheers of the spectators and the firing of crackers.
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Mr. Wilson then turned to Mrs. Dickson and said—Mrs. Dickson, in the name of the Dock Company I have to thank you for coming to-day and so successfully performing the launching ceremony of the Loongwoo and I ask your acceptance of this small souvenir of the occasion; on it you will find engraved the name of your sturdy godchild now lying safely afloat in her proper element.
He then presented her with a gold bracelet, which at the lady's request, he fastened on her wrist.
Mrs. Dickson in reply sald-Thank you very mach for presenting me with this handsome souvenir. It has been a great honour to me to christen this ship and I shall be glad to hear of its success (applause)
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Mr. Wilson afterwards invited the company to the library, where a luncheon was served. That gentleman presided, and among those present were Mr. and Mrs. Goetz, Mrs. Pinck- ney, Mrs. Wilson, Mrs. Caldwell, Mrs. Ram,
Mrs. Nicholson, Mrs. Moir, Mrs. Ritchie, Capt. | and Mrs. Douglas, Mr. E. O. Murphy, Mr. and Mrs. Parlane, Mr. and Mrs. Rodger, Miss Rod- ger, Mr. D. Clark, Mr. Friesland, Mr. Brooke Smith, Mr. and Mrs. Wilkie, Mr. Hunter, Mr. F. Smythe, Mr. and Mrs. J. Wilkie, Mr. and Mrs. Lambert, Mr. and Mrs. J. Millar, Mr. and Mrs. Carmichael, Mrs.
Wilks, Mr. J. Macdonald, Mr. A. Sinclair, Mr. and Mrs. T. Skinner, Capt. Tillett, Mrs. Pithy, Mr. J. Dickie and many others including the landing members of the Dock Company's staff.
owners.
the To
The Chairman, in proposing the toist of the occasion, said-We have to-day witnessed the successful launching of the 8.8. Loongwo; she is not only the largest vessel this Company has built to the order of Messrs. Jardine, Matheson & Co. but also the largest steamer ever built in Hongkong or China, and I trust she will turn out a valuable addition to the fleet of her
ordinary spectator, the launch of a ship, when all goes well, may appear a very simple matter, bat believe me it is an operation that is attended with a very great deal of careful thought and skilful manipulation, as Mr. Mitchell and Mr. Smith could tell you, to say nothing about the anxiety that is felt by those responsible, until the ship is safely afloat. Fortunately, the launch of the Loongwo has been accomplished without any hitch, and I think we may include Mrs. Dickson in our congratulations to those responsible for a successful and skilful operation. I should like also to acknowledge the courtesy and fact shown by Mr. Sinclair and his assist ants in their dealings with us in this contract, which bave greatly assisted us in our work. I hope the Loongwo will have a very pros- perous and profitable career, and prove a credit both to her owners and builders, so much so, that we may before long be called upon to build other ships like her. Ladies and gentle men, in calling upon you to drink success to the Loongwo, I ask you to include the health of her god-mother, Mrs. Dickson (applause).
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Mrs. Dickson in reply said-Tois is the first time I have had the honour of launching a ship. It is a very great honour. Although you have associated my name with the toast I have had very little to do with this ship. It is these gentlemen who for the last sight months have had the anxiety of watching it and seeing it grow into a beautiful ship. I feel very proud of being a god-mother. It is a god. daughter and not a god sou. I hope to have an opportunity of travelling in her from Shang- hai to Hankow, though it will not be for some time to come. That in itself will, I think, be sufficient inducement to carry me back to the East. I wish all those who travel in her every success, and success also to the Hong- kong and Whampoa Dock Company (aplause).
am sorry my husband is not here. He would hive spoken better than I do, but he carries the saje wishes as I do--Success to the Loongwo and the Dock Company.
The company drunk to the toast, and shortly afterwards dispersed.
HONGKONG GYMKHANA CLUB,
FIRST MEETING.
Patrons : H. E. Sir Matthew Nathan, K.C.M.G.,; H. E. Vico-Admiral Sir Arthur W. Moore, K.C.B., K.C.V.O., C.M.G.; H. E. Maj.-Genl. Villiers Hatton, C.B.; Commodore H. Pigot Williams, 8.N.
Members of Committee: The Stewards of the Hongkong Jockey Club (ex-officio), Lieut.- Col. Aitken, Major Parker, Messrs. G. K. Hall Brutton, C. H. Koss, J. A. Jupp, H. P. White.
Judge Mr. C. H. Ross. Handicappers.-Mr. H. P. White and Major
Parker.
Clerk of the Scales-Mr. J. A. Jupp. Starter-Major Parker.
2nd Starter - Mr. W. W. G. Ross, Esq. Time-keeper-Mr. T. 8. Forrest, Hou. Sec. and Treasurer-Mr. C. G. Mackie. Although the weather on Saturday afternoon was dull and threatening, the rain kept off and the first meeting of the Gymkhana Club, which was held at Happy Valley, was as successful as heretofore. H.E. the Governor arrived in time
[April 21, 1906.
for the first race, and watched the events from the stand next the Judge's box. The intervals between races were enlivened by music supplied by the band of the Royal West Kents. Although the course was heavy, the ponies ran well and backers had an opportunity of laying on their fancies in the Pari Mutuel, which, as is usual at Gymkhana meetings, paid only on winners. The highest dividend for the after- noon was-$18, which amonat Speculation paid in the three-quarter milc.
Results were as under :--: THREE-QUARTER MILE FLAT RACE.-For Hongkong Subscription Griffins of any Sea- son. Weight for inches as per scale. Win- ners of an open race barred.. Winners of an official race to carry 7lb extra; of two or more official races 101b extra. "Off-day" Winners to carry 3lb extra. Unplaced Ponies in an official race and previous non-starters allowed 5lb. Non-winning Jockeys allowed 5lb. Entrance fee $5. 1st prize: A Cup presented by A. Babington, Esq.; 2nd prize: $25. (Entrance fees to go to winner.) Mr. G. C. Moxon's Speculation, 11st 2lbs
(Mr. Mackie) 1
Mr. H. P. White's Zapeter, 11st 11lbs
(Mr. Dupree) 2
allowed Mr. Hickman) 3
Mr. Hickolff's Roscommon 11st 1lb...
Mr. Henchman's Diadem, 10st 10lbs
L
0
(Mr. Brutton) 0 Mr. D. Mackonald's Highland Whisky 10st
6lbs, 5lb allowed (Mr. Clark) Mr. C. G. Mackie's Promised Land 10st
11lb (Mr. Robertson) 0 Mr. Ottery's Red Herring, 10st 10lbs, 5lbs
allowed. (Mr. Deacon) 0 The field of seven got a good start and ran in a bunch, Roscommon being slightly in the lead when passing the football stand. He was headed by Red Herring going up the incline who in turn gave way to Speculation who led as the straight was entered. Zapeter who was in the rear of the bunch made his way to the fore and drew rapidly on Speculation, but was unable to overtake him ere the winning post was reached, although only a length separated the ponies, Roscommon ran a good third. The pari mutuel paid $.8 on the winner. Time-1 min. 41 sacs, TENT PEGGING.-Best of three runs. Points for pace and style. Open. Entrance fee $3. 1st Prize: presented by G. C. Moxon, Esq.; 2nd prize: $25. Mr. Cruickshank, 12 points... Mr. Belgrave, 1 points ... Mr. Logan, 8 points
In this event one point was allowed for style, three for a carry over 20 yards, two for a carry under 20 yards, one for a touch and one for
расе.
GYMKHANA CLUB CHALLENGE CUP.-Dis- tance One Mile.-Value to be declared when Cup is purchased. For all China Ponies. Catch Weights at 10st 61b. Winners of an open race or open Griffla race 5lb extra. Non-winning Subscription Grifflus allowed 5lb. Non-winning Jockeys allowed 5lb. To be won by the pony scoring most marks in the races for the Cup, counting 4 points for a first; 2 for a second; and 1 for a third. The benefit of marks already scored to pass with the pony on a sale. Any winner of the race to carry 5lb extra for each win in subsequent starts for the Cup, but in the event of a pone carrying the penalty not winning, 2lb to by Penalties deducted next time he starts. accumulative up to 15lb. Entrance fee of $5 to go in the purchase of a memento to the winner of each race, and 825 to second pony out of the Club fands. At the conclusion of the Season a Cup, value $100, will be pre- sented to the Owner of the pony obtaining the second highest number of marks, Mr. C. G. Mackie's Quaich, 10st 6lbs (Owner) 1 Mr. W. G. Clarke's Pathan, 10st...
5lbs, llb allowed (Owner) 2 Mr. 8. P. C's. Blue Nile, 10st 1lb,
5 lbs allowed (Mr. Simcock) 3 Mr. W. A. Cruickshank's ́Mikosh, 10st
11lbs (Owner) "0 Only four ponies faced the starter in the event of the day and their order as they passed the winning post for the first time was Mikosh 1, Blue Nile 2, Pathan 3 and Quaich 4. The field formed two deep passing the football stand, Blue Nile and Mikosh running in the van. the foot of the incline Pathan was in the lead,
At