A NEW STEAMER FOR THE UNION COMPANY

Ashburton Guardian, Volume VII, Issue 1687, 14 October 1887, Page 4

A NEW STEAMER FOR THE UNION COMPANY

«. The steamer JPukaki, the latest addition to the fl<et. of the U.S.S Company, arrived off Taiaroa Heads and anchored at 7.45 p.m. on Friday. The Pukuki la rigged as a brigantine, aud la different m her construction to any other of tbe Company's staamers, having been specially built by Messrs Denny Bros , at Dumbarton, for the coal trade which the Union Company are about to open up between the West Coset and Australia. She Is 230 ft long, 36ft m width, aud has a depth of hold of 18ft 91n ; her register tonnage is 850 net and 1,400 gross. She has been englned by Messrs Denny Bros, and is fitted with quadruple aurface condensing engines of 700 horsa power indicated, the diameter of her cylinders being respectivey 16in, 24in, 36in, and 47m, with a length of stroke of 36in. She has mu'iitabular steel boilera, loaded to preseure of 1701 bto the square Inch, while har three furnacea are Foxe'ts patent corrugated of tbe lnteßt make. She has a patent evaporator and distiller for mating freßh water for boiler consumption, and is also fitted with Wler's patent pump 3 for feeding her boilere. There are three cargo hatches, each fitted with patent steam winchep, ,and generally Bhe is fitted with all tbe recent labor-saving appliances. Ihere is a large bridge deck amidßhipj. on which is the wheel house, chart-room, and captain's cabin. Underneath tblt, on the main deck, Is the ealoon —a very tastefully fitted up place, capable of accommodating twenty paesengera It is panelled m orna* mental woods, and has crimson velvet seats, a eheffenier, mirror, and clock. The sleeping cabins are most corafortabk;: and there ia a special compartment for ladies. The officers and engineers have comfortable rooms on each aide of tha. alley way, and under the bridge deck j and directly under the forward part ia the galley, which has been fitted wi;^, every modern improvement. The second cabin which is m the after par,t of the vessel, is one of the best wq have yet seen ; It Is flash with the main deck, is lofty and well ventilated, and ia fitted up m a very neat style. The sleeping cabins are very comfortable, and on the whole this part of the chip exceeds what Is. usually provided for this cksa of accommodation.