THE STEAMER HERO.

Globe, Volume XXII, Issue 2038, 4 September 1880, Page 3

THE STEAMER HERO.

Referring to the improvements which this steamer has recently undergone, the Melbourne “Age,” of August 24th, says : —“ The steamer Hero, which, on her first arrival here claimed, equally with the Peninsular and Oriental Company’s steamship Simla and Panama Company’s steamer Otago, the honor of making the quickest passage from England to Australia, has been since then continuously running in the intercolonial trade, and has maintained her position as not only a first-class vessel in point of speed, but also as a most complete and comfortable passenger carrier. Since May last she has been laid up unoergoing a most extensive overhaul and refit. The whole having been done, she is now ready for sea again, and sails to-day for Auckland via Sydney. The overhaul and refit she has received are of no ordinary character, and have involved the outlay of a large sum of money ; but to compensate for this the vessel is now almost equal to new again, and has had several improvements added. After the boilers were taken out the whole of the ceiling was removed, when the plates of the hull were found to be in the most excellent state of preservation. The bottom was then newly cemented and the ceding completely renewed. The saloon and farsvard cabin have been re-decorated under the supervision of Mr Borthwick, who also has given his attention to the general painting of the ship, inside and out. The boilers have been replaced with new ones of the most modern construction, embracing all the recent improvements, and are placed athwartships, instead of fore and aft. The furnaces are circular, combining the greatest amount of strength with the utmost efficiency. The engines were also taken out, overhauled, and fitted with new pistons, new air pumps, and converted into surface condensing ones. The surface condenser is a very creditable piece of work, and the vacuum obtained on trial alongside the wharf was nearly 28 inches, which implies that it has a large cooling surface, showing that it will be quite capable for any demand that may be made upon it while under full steam. In consequence of the increased pressure of steam in the new boiler it is certain the speed of the ship will be considerably increased. The arrangement of the engine room has also undergone considerable alteration, and is_ much improved thereby. Taken altogether, it is anticipated that the expense of the work has been judiciously incurred, and will tend much to increase the comfort of the travelling community. The whole of the ironwork has been done

by Messrs D. Forman and Co., has met with the approval of Mr A. Wilson, the Government engineer, and may technically be called a firstrate job. Mr Anderson, the engineer of the Hero, has given his most unremitting supervision to the whole refit. To conclude, it may ba mentioned that Captain Logan, who has so long and ably commanded the vessel, goes away today with a ship in every respect equal to a new one, and with the good wishes of his numerous friends.” The Hero has arrived at Wellington, whither she will proceed up the East Coast to Auckland returning down the coast again to this port. She is expected to leave here for Wellington, Sydney and Melbourne on the 15th instant.