THE S.S. MANAPOURI.

Globe, Volume XXIV, Issue 2557, 19 June 1882, Page 3

THE S.S. MANAPOURI.

Tf nothing succeeds like success, and it be possible to merit the latter in the steamship business, nothing can prevent the Company (the U.S.S. Co, of Dunedin) to whose order the Manapouri has been built, from succeeding. When the Kotomahana, and after hor the Te Anau were added to the Union Company's flaet, a good many people shook their heads, and expressed doubt about the wisdom of the now ventures. Time has since proved, however, that these vessels were not only not a whit too large for the trade, but that mero vessels of their class mnst soon be provided in order to efficiently meet the business, passenger and cargo, demanded at the hands of tho Company. The Manapouri which arrived hore on t h e 16th, is a steamship of tho class referred to, and from the Company's pocket guide, it appears there are two more steamers of tho same style, tho Wairarapa and the Hauroto, building on the Clyde to their order, besides several vessels of less tonnage and power. The addition of the Manapouri to the " red funnel " fleet contributes towards that increase of accommodation already pointed at as necessary, and the company is to be congratulated upon the acquirement of so magnificent a vessel. The Manapouri affords accommodation for about three hundred passengors in all classes. Sho has a cargo carrying capacity equal to about 1500 tons. From the report of her engineer, sho can Bteam fourteen knots per hour, and as a matter of fact as she steamed up from Port Chalmers to this port yesterday against a very heavy head Bea, and the vessel being in ballast at the time and consequently in very bad trim, thirtcon knots was averaged. Tho splendour of the furniture on board the Manapouri is similar to that of tho Kotornahanv That is a compliment which could not honestly bo paid to any other steamer owned south of the Line. Bat she is superior even to the Kotomahana in one particular, and an important one too. She is brilliantly lighted up at night with the electric light. Those who have experienced what it is to wrestle with a novel in the shade of an oil lamp of an evening at sea will bo in a position to admit that this " modern improvement" is decidedly one that passengers will be thankful for. There are some 170 of these

lights on board, eo it may ba suppose-1 that with such an illumination the passenger who at night delights in a promenade may boldly gratify his taste, and not grope his way about the decks through the darkness visible, not knowing ono end of the ship from the ether. That observation reminds us that the order of accommodation oa board is reversed, the main saloon boing right forward, and the steerage right aft. Iho socmen's quarters are also lift, and in what is generally kuown as the poop. The saloon sleeping berths are continued right up into the nose or oyes of her, as the saying goes. In each of the berths an eloctri'i light is fixed, and the same provision is made for steerage as well as saloon passengers, indeed, the "fo'castle," which, as stated, U aft, is lighted up by electricity. The main saloon, that is the dining-room so to speak, occupies the full width of the ship, and with the splendid beam of the steamer this forms a gracd apartment. We cannot do better than take the following deecription of the saloon and other accommodation from a Southern contemporary, tbo " Daily Times " :—'Her saloon, which is approached by moans of a wide companion-way, is one of the most elegant and artistic in its decorations and appointments we have yet seen. It is situated amidships, and occupies the whole width of the vessel, while the sloping cabins are situate in wide corridors at either end of the sa'oon. The walls are panelled in hard woods, principally maple and satin; in the centre of each panel are tistefully-paiated debigns ; the mouldings are of rosewood, finished with fluted columns of tho same wood, richly gilded. These columns aro surmounted by carved Corinthian capitals, while a mas=ively-carved cornice completes the whole. The roof is finished in sunk panels of a very delicate oream-colored .tint, with gold enrichments. Eight large tables occupy the centre spaces, while adjacent are luxuriously-upholstered loungos covered in moube-celored Utrecht velvet; in addition to tbeso she has a number of revolving chairs similarly furnished The floors, bath cf the saloon, ladies' cabin, and sleeping berths, are handsomely carpeted ; while the whole of this part of the vessel is brilliantly lighted by Swann's incandescent electric lights, which are placed in handsome silver lamps, the shades of which bear the company's distinctive flag in the centre. Entrance is gained to the saloon by mean] of largo doors glazed in ground glass, artistically decorated. Leading from it is the ladies' saloon, which will accommodate forty. Tho total number of passengers Bhe is calculated to carry of this class will be 150. The ladies' saloon is an extremely pretty apartment, tasteful in its appointments and luxurious in its fittings. The sleeping cabins each contain four berths; they are lofty, perfectly ventilated, thoroughly finisued, and under each pillow is placed a life-belt. At the extreme end of the corridor forward are the barths for the steward and his staff, while there are bathroom?,lavatories, &c., fitted up in the most approved styles. Above the ealoon, dependent from the beams, are a numbers of rare creepers and other plact3, while there is a handsomo bookcase containing 200 standard volumes for the nse of passengers, and at each end of this grand apartment is a mirror —one fitted with a clock, the other with a barometer. At the foot of the companion is a bar, and next to it is the pantry, which is fitted up in a very complete manner, and contains a patent ooppar urn for the production of tea and coffee, steam tables, and other requisites. Close to this is the plate closet, which ia filled with a very handsome assortment of table requisites. Ascending tho companion way, we reach a room specially devoted to lndie3, which is tastefully furnished, and must be a charming retreat. Next to this is thti social hall, a spacious apartment 25ft long by 16ft wide. In the centre of this is a woll about 16ft long by 6ft wide, which gives light to the Baloon through the cupola roof above it. Tho floor is laid in parquet work, while the sides are formed of polished woods. Sofa seats are placed a! round tho room, which is Bnpplied with tables, a mirror, and a clock, together with a piano and an assortment of music. There is an excellent smoking-room under the forecastledock, furnishod with sofas, revel nng-chairs, table?, washstands, and a clock and mirror ; hat and coat peg 3 aro also provided. Captain Logan's stateroom is on tho fore part of the hurricane deck, and is comfortably fitted up iu polished mahogany. There are chart-tabbs, speaking tubos to the flying bridge awi wheelhouse, book-case, and a small steatn copper and stove. The wheelhouae is Bituatod on the fore part of the hurricane deck, and is fitted with racks for tools, flag lockers, and other necessaries It also has a connection with Chatburn's telegraph. The second-cabin passengers have splendid accommodation in the after part of the main deck, calculated to accommodate 120 passengers, includin • ladies, for whomthore is separate accommodation. This apartment is substantially furnished, well lightsd and ventiht'd, and is by fur the best we have yet seen. Forward of this, and between it and tho en-erine-roorS, accommodation for a vary large number of third-class pasHOtigera can be provided. 'I he ship is lighted by Swann's incandescent electric lights, of which she has \7O, in addition to a number of arc I'ghts which are used for discharging cargo The wholo of these lights oan bo lit and extinguished instantaneously. They are fed by two of Piemen's dynamomachines, which are driven by a Brotherhood eugino making 750 revolutions a minute The Manipouri's dimensions aie : - Length between perpendiculars, 285 ft; extreme breadth, 3Sft; moulded depth, 25ft; the height from the top of tho main deck beams to the spar deck beams is Bft She carries six leak bnilt boats, each of which is fitted with patent disengaging a:piratus. She was launched on Deee:noer 20th, 1881, from the Leven Shipbuilding Yards, Dumbarton, and was constructed by Messrs Wm. Denny and Bros., who have built no less than seven steamers for this company in the past six years. Captain Logan is iu command, and has tho following officers :—Mr White, late of Albion, chief; Mr McDonald, second; Mr Spouce, third ; Mr Edyo, fourth, late of Albion ; A. Q. Mackillop, purser; Mr Denny, chief engineer; Mr E. Douglas, second engineer; Mr Moir, third engineer; Mr Cameron, fourth engineer; Mr W. McFarlano, chief steward.