THE S.S. CITY OF ADELAIDE.

Evening Star, Volume IX, Issue 2718, 2 November 1871, Page 2

THE S.S. CITY OF ADELAIDE.

Hardly two years ago this Colony was visited by Captain Trouton, the manager of the Australian Steam Navigation Company (whose headquarters it is well known are at Sydney), with a view to making arrangements for connecting New Zealandjwith that port. It was afterwards stated that the result of Captain Trouton’s mission had been so discouraging that the idea of establishing a service with New Zealand had to be abandoned. What has now led to the endeavor to establish the service is easy to divine— Hall’s Californian line having come to grief, the company must find employment for their boats ; and this Colony offers a good prospect, seeing that Messrs M‘ eckan, Blackwood and Co. have for a length of time had the held all to themselves. To-day arrived at Wellington the pioneer steamer of the new line—the City of Adelaide. As she will probably arrive at Port Chalmers on Sunday, and be thrown open for inspection on that day, a description of her will be interesting. To Victorians the City of Adelaide is an old friend, she having been employed for several years in running between Melbourne and Sydney. Of her, the Atvpts'jSays ;—“ When the City was taken off the Sydney and Melbourne route to undergo extensive alterations to fit her for an ocean mail steamship, there was a feeling of regret entertained that she should be withdrawn from the intercolonial trade, and a stronger feeling expressed against her being altered in any way. She was so well known in this port, and had acquired such uninterrupted run of popularity, that it seemed almost a pity, if not a mistake, to meddle with her. The exigencies, however, of the mail service vid San Francisco under the “Hall” regime demanded an addition to the fleet, and the City of Adelaide, being in all respects the likeliest vessel to suit the ocean voyage between Sydney and San Francisco, was ordered to undergo improvement for that purpose. Her steaming speed is commensurate with her noble proportions, and on the ocean mail service she has distinguished herself by making very fast passages ” On the return trip she accomplished the distances between San Francisco and Honolulu, and from thence to Fiji and Sydney iu remarkably quick time. The last passage from Fiji to Sydney was made in 7 days 22 hours ; the daily distances made from Sau Francisco to Honolulu were 265, 264, 269, 272, 264, 259, 261, 272 ; and from Honolulu to Fiji: 195, 271, 269, 250, 250, 300, 292, 268, 276, 274, 135. The accommodation and speed of the City have attracted attention in every port she has visited. ’1 he San Francisco Commercial Herald says of her;—“ This is a very fine vessel; her cabin accommodations are ahead of anything we have had here, in the fancy way or in the way of convenience and comfort.’’ The following is an abridgment of the report of the Sydney Morning Herald of July Ist with regard to the steamer “ The City of Adelaide is a vessel in every way worthy of the Colony. Her upper deck, 260 ft. long, is flush fore and aft. She has a magnificent saloon. She is an iron vessel, and was built by Messrs Thompson, of Glasgow, about six or seven years ago, and had originally a raised quarter-deck and top-gallant forecastle. Her passenger accommodation was below the main deck. She has been raised eight feet, and now jiossesses a spar deck 260 ft. over all. The whole of the skylights and sheep-pens arc placed amidships, leaving a clear promenade the whole length of the ship. The only house on deck is aft, and that consists of the captain’s cabin, the saloon companion, and the entrance to tbe saloon. The bulwarks are filled in wit|j| open galvanised wire netting, running fore arid a(t, which outwardly gives the bull a light and elegant appearance. On the davits she has six boats swung—four lifeboats and two wording boats. She is brig riggec(, ancj h*s tieeq supplied with Skinner la patent steering apparatus and steam winches. Pas's? iqg from the upper deck down a flight of steps, which opens right and left, the main saloon is entered. It is 150 ft. long by 26ft. wide and Bft. high. The open portion of it is 80ft. long by 14ft. wide. At the after part is a drawing-room, or, as it may more properly bo denominated, a concert-room, 20ft. by 23ft., and Bft, in height. This room is furnished with pianoforte, lounges, and every other requisite to the well-being of passengers. On each side of the prow salpon are 13 state romps, eaph 6ft. square and Bft. high, and containing two berths. The arrangements for securing ventilation and light are of the most perfect description, The furniture of the staterooms, such as washstands, Ac., are of polished cedar, and are moveable at pit-asm e. In the fore part of the saloon there are six family cabins with double berths below and a single berth above, the berths being ef polished cedar and moveable. Next come the ladies’ sitting and retiring rooms each 9ft 6in x 6ft.; these are furnished with sofas, Ac., bathroom, and every convenience. In the middle of the vessel, forward of the entrance to 'the saloon, is the linen locker and tbe {engineroom ; then comes the second cabin apartments, with regard to which the same care has heen taken to secure an abundance of light aud ventilation The second cabin consists of nine enclosed rooms, each containing six berths ; there is also a detached cabin for ladies. The fittings arc all off polished cedar aud moveable, and every| convenience has been provided. The officers’ mess-room and other apartments arc close to the engine-room. Still further on is the steerage, in which are 30 betthij, with a large open space in the centre for use as a messroora. The ladies’ cabin in this part of the ship has six berths. All the berths fire Bft. 6in. high, a most unusual height for steamships ; and, as in every other part, me arrangements for ventilation and lighting are excellent. Forward of the steerage is situated the forecastle, with accommodation for 28 men, there are also washrooms, Ac. The vessel has been fitted with new boilers and surface condenser, a new four bladed screw 12ft, 9m. diameter aad 20ft. 6in,

pitch. The power of the engines has hern increased from about 250 to about 350 nominal horse power ; they now work up fcabout a thousand horse power.” The City is commanded by Captain bred. Moore.