In spite of the miserable weather, alarge number of ladies and gentlemen attended the launching on Thursday of the new river steamer Kiangwo, built by Messrs. Far ham, Boyd, and Ca., La, to the order of Messrs. Jardine, Matheson, and Ca., for the Hankow-Ichang trade. A large number of invitations to the christening ceremony had been issued, and they were fully accepted, the visitors including several well-known residents as well as oticers from the Japanese and Russian warships in harbour. When all was in readiness, Miss Dorothy Inglis threw the bottle of champagne against the bows of the ship and the Kiangwo glided gracefully from the stays, slowly but. steadily, and took the water without a hitch, amidst. general applause. The main function having been completed, the guests adjourned 10 the offices of the Company, where chan and light refreshments had been prov' Mr. Prentice, in proposing suc ce-s to the Kiangwo, coupled with the name of the owners, Messrs. Jardine, Matheson & Cv., said that it was 23 years since they hud built the first beat for that company. The company had had many boats built since, but the first boat was still running. The owners had had larger boats built elsewhere, but ho hoped that when they required a larger boat than the present one they would come tu Messrs. Farnham, Boyd & Ca, In reply, Mr. R. Inglis, on behalf of the owners, said that he congratulated the builders on (he oat they had launched; this was the fourth boat built at Shanghai for the owners, He hoped that she -might always be as successful in the future xs the other beats vhich the company had built, He also wished all success and prosperity to his friend Miss Dorothy Inglis, who haa successfully christened the boat. He hoped that she would always have as good luck it was hoped the now steamer would have. Mr. Prentice then sail that he had a pleasant toast to propose 5—that the toast of Miss Dorothy Inglis who had so ably performed the most important duty of the ceremony. In commemoration of the occasion, he had great pleasure in presenting her' with a stall" memento. (This took the shape of " handsome vold watch.) Replyiny on behalf of his daughter, Mr. W. ¥, Inglis said shat he thanked one and all for the kind way in which the torist had been proposed and r ceived. "His daughter had taken the greatest i terest in the Kiangwo, ever since her building was commenced, and she had continually made enquiries as to the boat's progress. He had no doubt that in the future she would have many questions to ask him about her godchild, He was sure that his daughter would always luck back with pleasure that day's ceremony and the watch which had been presented to her would be a pleasant moment" of the occasion. He concluded by 4 all success and prosperity to the builders, Messrs, farnham, Royd and Ca, Mr. Prentice then proposed the toast of "The Ladies," saying that they had shown great courage in. ravi the elements, This was drunk with thre cheers and a tiger. Mr. L. C. B. Edmonston, #8 the youngest bachelor" present, replied on behalf of the ladies. This ter: minated the proceeding The Kiangwo is a twin-screw steamer, built by Messrs. Faroham, Boyd & Ca., to the order of Messrs. Jardine, Matheson Ca., for the Hankow-Iching trade. Her dimensions are: length between perpendiculars, 280 feet, total length over: all, 289 j feet; moulded bre-dth, 42 feet; moulded [depth to main deck,' 10 feet. She is built of steel throughout. There is acccme modation for 8 first-class foreign pas Feengers forward, on the upper deck; 18
Text read from the printed page and cleaned; old type leaves the occasional error.