THE ALBION.

Evening Star, Volume IX, Issue 2761, 22 December 1871, Page 2

THE ALBION.

The s.s. Albion from Melbourne, via. the Bluff, arrived at 4.30 this morning, her passengers, mail- 1 , &c., were conveyed to Dunedin by the Harbor steamers on their first morning trips. The Albion, now commanded by Captain M‘Lean, has corns into port in fine order, and is wall worthy of an inspection. Regarding her altered appearance and internal fittings we extract the following frem the A rgu's of the 15th ir,et.; The screw steam clipper Albion, which has had a somewhat chequered career since her first advent to Australian waters, is again about to enter on active service in the intercolonial passenger trade. This wellknown steamer, after a lengthened period of inglorious and unprofitable inactivity, during which she was the subject of no small litigation, was ultimately disposed of at auction to Messrs M‘Meehan, Blackwood, and Co., who secured her as another addition to their already numerous fleet. On taking possession of their purchase, Messrs M ‘Meckan, Blackwood, and Cq., who use no half measures'with regard to their vessels in the matter of alterations and repairs, but have things done on a thorough and liberal scale, determined to make such changes and improvements throughout the Albion as would fit her for taking a leading position in the intercolonial trade, or adapt her for any mail service—from here to Batavia, for instance —which might be established. For this purpose she has recently undergone interiorly every extensive and material alterations, and her passenger accommodation of all classes may be fairly said to have been almost reconstructed, For a number of weeks past the steamer Ims been entirely given over to all maimer of artisans and artists, who have been exercising their skill and taste in her very elaborate refit, and the result of their labors has been an unqualified success. The bull has been carefully examined and well scraped, and cleaned within and without, and is reported as being “ sound as a bell.” The epg’ues have also been taken te pieces and portions' renewed ct;>‘Hgtl)£ued where necessary, aud they have also beep fitted with several new improvements. The boilers have also been rctubed, and an increased rate of speed is anticipated. Two or three years ago the Albion was considered a comfortable and commodious vessel, and a favorite with voyagers to and from New Zealand, but the change in her passenger accommodations, both saloon aud steerage, is now of so complete and marked a character that very few even of her old patrons would recognise her to be the same vessel. There is a tine lirge spare 'deck fof a promenade,

andthesaloon 19 entered by a double companion, at the top of which is the captain’s eabin. The saloon has been considerably enlarged by the former berths of the officers, and the stewards’ pantries, 4c., being shifted nearer the engine-room, and from the rich but light and tasteful style of decoration adopted, it presents quite a fairy appearance. The upholstery and furniture is of an expensive description, and the panelling round the after part of the saloon is blazoned with the coats of arms of the various colonies and the arms of their chief cities, together with other heraldic and emblematic devices. The comfort of the passengers, hj wever, has not been subordinated to show or effect, and the berths have been supplied with every adjunct to make voyaging pleasant. The ladies’ cabin is also handsomely furnished, and is very roomy and light. The accommodations in the fore-cabin are entirely new, and have been so arranged that there is ample space for each passenger, and thorough ventilation and There is also a separate apartment for females, and all the arrangements which forethought could devise for the convenience of a large number of people on board ship have been made. Her refit aloft has likewise been of a thorough character, and the whole of her standing and running rigging, spars, canvas, &c., , have been subjected to searching overhaul, and renewed where needed. The command of the Albion will be taken by Captain John M'Lean, a veteran in experience in the intercolonial steam trade, and especially in the New Zealand trade. With him as chief officer will be Mr Bawden, formerly of the s.s, Eangitoto, and the chief engineer is Mr iMathieson, who was lately in the Aldinga. Mr J. E. Norris goes as purser. The work generally has been under the superintendence of Captain M ‘Meckan himself, who is never happier than when “up to his eyes” in business, and the overhaul of the machinery was supervised by Mr Kirkwood, the superintending engineer of the firm.