"City of New York" even had a figurehead of a female figure carved by sculptor James Allan. To address the vibration problems of most liners of the period, the new Inman liners were given a ratio of length to beam of 8.3 to 1 as compared to the then common ratio of 10 to 1. The hull was more extensively subdivided than previously attempted. The ships were equipped with a full double bottom and 15 transverse bulkheads that reached the saloon deck. They also received a fore-aft bulkhead over their entire length. Each ship had two triple expansion engines, of 9,000 indicated horsepower each that were placed in separate compartments. While the engines for the sisters were identical, "City of Paris" produced 1,500 more horsepower than "City of New York". "City of New York" was designed for 540 first, 200 second and 1,000 steerage passengers. Her quarters were fitted with running hot and cold water, electric ventilation, and electric lighting. Her first class public rooms, such as library and smoking room, were fitted with walnut panels and her dining salon came with a massive dome that provided a natural light to the passengers. On March 15, 1888, "City of New York" was christened by Lady Randolph Churchill. That August, she entered service but while achieving respectable crossings, she was unable to produce records. Her sister, "City of Paris" entered service in April 1889 and took the westbound Blue Riband a month later. That August, White Star commissioned the twin screw "Teutonic" followed the next year by "Majestic" and the Inman and White Star pairs took turns bettering each other's times. While "City of Paris" proved to be the fastest of the four, in 1892 "City of New York" was finally able to outrun her sister for the eastbound record. On August 21, 1890, the big steamship liner Teutonic and the "City of New York" raced from the New York pier to the Sandy Hook bar out to the bay. Hundreds of people were present to observe the famous liners as they departed. The pilot on the "Teutonic" was Captain Joseph Henderson, the pilot on the "City of New York" was Peter McEnneny. After seeing the vessels safely outside the bay, the pilots were taken off by Pilot boat "Lillie, No. 8". Pilot Henderson said the "Teutonic" crossed the bar at 9:42 AM.