LAUNCH OF THE LARGEST VESSEL EVER BUILT AT DUMBARTON.

Daily Telegraph (Napier), Issue 4085, 25 August 1884, Page 2

LAUNCH OF THE LARGEST VESSEL EVER BUILT AT DUMBARTON.

There Avas launched on Wednesday 25th June, by Messrs Wm. Denny and Brothers, Dumbarton, the s.s. AraAva, built for the ShaAV, Savill, and Albion Company, (limited), London. This steamer, and another to be named the Tainui, now building by Messrs Denny, arc expressly designed for this company's London and New Zealand line. The builders' dimensions of each arc:—l2o by 42 by 32, aud gross tonnage about 5000. The hulls are built of steel, and are constructed under special survey for tho highest class at Lloyd's. They .have double cellular bottoms, capable of coT-tain-ing 8-10 tons Avater-ballast, so as to preserve the proper trim and draught throughout tho voynge as tho coal is being burned out; also, adding greatly to the structural strength. On the upper dock is a citadel Avhich will be luxuriously fitted complete Avith every appliance for the comfortable conveyance of 95 first-class passengers ; a poop to accommodate 52 secondclass passengers, and a topgallant forecastle. The first-class saloon is a spacious compartment the full width of the vessel, capable of dining 100 passengers, and haA-ing a series of tables so that" small parties can dine together as in most modern hotels. In this apartment at the forward end an organ will lie placed. The state-rooms for the firstcabin passengers, though unusually large, being 9ft. by (Jit., Avillh'.ivc only two berths in each, with the exception of a few family state-rooms Avhich have three berths. A distinctive feature in the state-rooms is that the berths arc portable, so that each stateroom during the day can be converted into a private sitting room. One-half of tho scc-md cabin state-rooms have also only two berths. Tho first-class saloon and outerrows of state-rooms have square side ports of largo size, which with tho side-ports of tlm second cabin can be kept open, if desired, in almost any Aveather, consequent upon their height out of the water. Above tho citadel is a social hall, 30 feet by lv feet, and a large smokingroom. In the social hall there will be a piano by Messrs Brinsinead, of London. The 'tAveen decks are clear the whole length of the vessel (with tho exception of space for creAV forward), and Avill accommodate 070 adult, steerage passengers. Bath-rooms and lavatories aro fitted for all classes of passengers. ImproA-ed ventilation will be secured from a special artificial system by means of exhaust pipes ; additional ventilation and light being obtained in the 'tween decks from 90 side ports. Tho electric light will be fitted throughout tho vessels, there being in all 300 separate lights. The two forward compartments beloAV main deck will be fitted Avith refrigerating chambers, to contain 500 tons Aveight of moat, and the after compartment is arranged to bo easily adapted for conveyance of an additional 200 tons if required, tho machinery being capable of refrigerating in all compartments. This' machinery will be tho 801 - Colemau patent compound double-cngincd machines. The guaranteed speed is 12?,----knots at sea on tho voyage, though from the great power of tho engines a higher speed is confidently expected. The steamers Avill be full-rigged, Avith four masts, to benefit by the prevailing Avinds on a portion of the passage. There will be the most efficient appliances for Avorkiug the steamers and their cargoes, in steam stcerin>v "-ear, winches, cranes, kc, aud nothing will "be Avuuting to gratify the most fastidious passengers, and to give these steamers n, character for elegance and comfort unsurpassed by any other ocean steamer afloat. The machinery will be tandem triple expansion four- cylinder engines, Avith a working pressure of ICO pounds on tho square inch- two cylinders, 71 inches diameter, one of 01 inches, and the fourth, 30 inches --stroke, 5 feet. The cerciuony of naming the ship AA-as performed by Mrs Galbraith, wife" of James Galbraith, Esq., Beach House, Wcmyss Bay, one of tho directors of tho company.

lIIY TELEGRAPH.]

Auckland" This day

Arrived, yesterday, City of Sydney, mail steamer, from San Francisco. She brings 14 saloon ami 13 steerage passengers for NeAv Zealand, 25 saloon aud 47 steerage passengers for Sydney. Among the passengers for Sydney are Sir Henry Farkes and tho Rev. J. W. Wakefield. She sailed for Sydney at midnight. The HaAvea left at 10 o'clock this morning with the Southern nmilH - -nr '1-1 • "I Wellington, Ibis d:\y. At the heads, Peter Stuart, ship, from London, and Nettie, brigantine, from Ncav York. _~ . , CuEib'fCiiuucir, llus day. The New Zealand Shipping Company

have received the following cable message, dated London, August 22 :—"The Aorangi arrived to-day at the Cape of Good Hope.' Oamaru, This day. The steamer Eldcrslio arrived from Ncav-castle-on-Tvnc yesterday. She made the passage in o7 days. She brings no passengers. There AA-as no sickness amongst the officers or crew. She is drawing 19 feet, and Avas brought aside tho breakwater, swung round, and berthed alongside tliCAvharf this morning.