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30 . LAUNCH OF WHITE STAR LINER "MEGANTIC." On Thursday, Dec. 10, the fine twin screw steamer '"Megantic' was launched by Messrs. Harland & Wolff The new vessel Ltd., Belfast. is' a TAE MarINeE REVIEW "light as air but strong as iron," bind the colonies to the mother coun- Try. a The "Megantic' and "Laurentic will be the largest vessels in the Can- adian trade, being [65 ft. long by 67 THE MBGCANTIC. ON. THE: WAYS. sister ship to the "Laurentic,' which was launched last September, and which, it is expected, will be com- pleted early next year. 'Although "a similar: ship to. the "Laurentic' in every other respect, the "Megantic" is a twin screw, where- as the "Laurentic" is a triple screw. steamer, consequently these vessels, although exactly similar in their ap- pointments, will each represent a dis- tinct principle in marine' propulsion. The "Megantic" will stand for the highest perfection of the twin screw "balanced" reciprocating engine, while in the "Laurentic" the combination of reciprocating engines and low pres- sure turbines has beén introduced. Special interest is being manifested in these two vessels as they will-sig- nalize the entry of the White Star line into the Canadian trade, a devel- opment to which those intercsted in the trade between the mother country and the dominion are eagerly looking forward, anticipating that the success- ful achievements of this well-known company in the New York and other important trades will be repeated on the St. Lawrence route, Probably in no part of the empire is there greater industrial and commercia] enterprise' at present than in Canada, and the new connection so soon to be inaugu- rated by the White Star line is bound to give a great stimulus to the spirit of enterprise, thus tending to still further strengthen those ties which, ft., 4 in. beam, and about 15,000 tons gross. They are designed to carry a large quantity of cergo, also a full complement of passengers--about 280 tirst class, 430 second class and over 1,000 third class. Needless to say the "Megantic" wiil the pointments. She has been built on the cellular double bottom principle, the double bottom extending the whole length of the ship, and specially strengthened under the engines to -- give still greater rigidity in the vicinj. ty of the machinery. The vessel has nine watertight bulkheads, dividing her into ten watertight compartments. As of course is well known, the double bottom in addition to being an ele. ment of strength and security, pro- vides space for water ballast, which is also carried in the fore and after peaks. \ The arrangements for cargo are of the most approved kind. There are six cargo holds, and the bunkers are specially arranged to facilitate the coaling. Those who witnessed the launch were much struck with the handsome lines of the vessel, and when com- plete the "Megantic" will have a very fine appearance. The derricks and other+ appliances 'for working the ship and cargo are of the latest pattern, special attention being paid in the design of the vessel to the requirements of shippers in Canadian trade, and the vessel will have large refrigerated chambers both for provisions and cargo. The passenger accommodation in the new vessel has been carefully ar- ranged on the most generous princi- ple, and it is confidently expected that THE MEGANTIC TAKING be, like al! other vessels of the White Star line, designed and built on the most approved principles, nothing that long experience and practical knowl- edge can suggest being wanted ta make her as perfect as possible in construction, arrangement and = ap- THE WATER. the "Megantic," like the "Laurentic," will prove a great favorite. Added to the sea-going qualities of the ves- sel the accommodation will be of the most comfortable and _ pleasing character. A feature of the entrances and public rooms will be their height