A STATE STEAMER

Dominion, Volume 7, Issue 2209, 23 July 1914, Page 8

A STATE STEAMER

TO REPLACE THE HINEMOA THE SPECIFICATIONS AN UP-TO-DATE CRAFT The question of providing a new Government steamer to replace the Hinemoa was raised last year, and has since engaged tho attention of the Hon. F. M. B. Fisher (Minister of Marine) and his Department, with the result that Cabinet has now authorised tho preparation of specifications, for such a vessel, and these have been drawn up by Mr. Robert Duncan (Chief Surveyor of Ships). The necessity of providing a new steamer was plainly expressed by Mr. G. Allport (Secretary of Marine) in the annual report of tho Marine Department last year. He then stated that the Hinemoa was 37 years old, and had been nearly all the time in use, and could not bo expected to last- much longer. Mr. Allport recommended that a vote should he" taken during the (then) coming session for patt of the cost of a new steamer. . ■ . The specifications which have been drawn up provide for tho construction of a modern twin-screw steamer somewhat larger than the Hinemoa ,and with a greater carrying capacity. The new steamer is estimated to cost about £40,000, and it is considered that-one year'from the. time a contract is let should suffice for her construction. She iwill be used, as • the Hinomoa is, for lighthouse and buoy work, for the conveyance of lightkeepers and their families,. and general stores, and_ occasionally for ■ the conveyance, of his Excellency the Governor and suite and tho members.of the Legislature On her trial, with 500 tons of deadweight aboard, in addition to coal and water, the vessel must attain a speed over a measured mile of not less than fourteen knots, and she must maintain a speed of thirteen knots for a period of 24 consecutive hours. The steamer is to bo stoutly built, but will have fine lines. In the words of the specifications, she should have "a fine entrance, a clear run, a good floor, and bulwarks slightly tumbling home." She is to have 1 a cellular bottom of .watertight compartments from end to end of her' hull. The twin .sorews are to be driven by two independent : sets of engines,' each set driving one propellor; The engines are,to be directacting, surface-condens-ing,: having, each three cylinders.' The ship is to be fitted: with a wireless equipment and with electric light throughout. 'In her -leading dimensions the new steamer will be approximately eight feet longer than the.Hinemoa, and^ten feet -broader; The dimensions specified are: .Length between perpendiculars, 215 ft.; breadth (moulded), 35ft.; depth (moulded), 19ft. 6in.; height of upper deck, forecastle.and deck-houses, Bft;. mean draught to unde'rsido or keel when loaded, 13ft.; maximum draught aft not to exceed 14ft. when loaded as follows : capacity of forehold, 500 tons; capacity of bunkers,' 150.tons; capacity of freshwater tanks, GO tons. The vessel is to be built of steel generally, in accordanco with Lloyd's Class Al special survey, and to Board of Trade requirements. She is to have a clipper bow and overhanging, stern, a continuous main-deck, long poop, and bridge combined,' w ; ell-deck 40ft. long, and top-gallant forecastle. Accommodation is. to bo provided amidships'for the Governor and his suite, numbering -twelve altogether. Quarters- for 24 .lightkeepers (including women and children) aro to be provided in the after part of tho steamer. The captain's room, social 'hall, chief engineers and chief mate's rooms are to bo placed on tlie upper-deck. The smokmg-room, wireless-room, and , chart-room, are to be on'the bridge-deck. Officers and engineers and lightkeepers areto.be accommodated ■■ . aft of the engine-room bulkhead, and sailors and firemen, boat- .' swain, and boat-steefer under the forecastle. ~ , The vessel is to be rigged as a twomasted fore and aft schooner, with dorricks on each mast. A-large hold is to bo provided for cargo • • and a steamwinch to lift 15 tons. The saloon is to be neatly finished and furnished in oak and • ordinary, open "fireplaces are to be provided. The decorative features of the -saloon, social hall, and smoking-room. are. to be de- , signed by a competent architect: The wireless room on the bridge-deck is to bo ' subdivided into a sleeping-room for the operator, and a "silence-cabin," with deadened walls, " in which two Instruments are to be- installed. Provision is' made' for rooms for the captain and other officers, and for a number of two and four-berth cabins for ' passengers; The sailors and firemen aro .to have separate mess and sleeping, '.quarters. In -the sleeping quarters for the crew iron berths and lockers for clothes are to bo provided. The spaces below the sleeping quarters are to be fitted up as mess-rooms, with dining-tables and;seats to accommodate the full_ complement of the crew.' Air 'space in the sleeping Quarters *• is to be' not less than 120 cubic feet per man and floor space not less than 15 square feet per man. p