COLONIAL ENTERPRISE.

Marlborough Express, Volume III, Issue 96, 11 January 1868, Page 5

COLONIAL ENTERPRISE.

Another steamer has been added to the steam fleet of Messrs. Edwards and Co., who now own no fewer than five coasting steamers, of the aggregate value, when this new purchase shall have been put in good working order, of at least £30,000, and as a working plant worth a very much larger sum. The vessel just bought by this enterprising firm, is the Charles Edward, which was lately wrecked at Greymouth, and was purchased, while on the blocks and all but ready for launching, for the sum of £I,OOO. She was insured for £IO,OOO. Messrs. N. Edwards possess an excellent engineering establishment with all necessary appliances and can, at a comparative small cost, repair all the damage which their new purchase may have sustained, and make her as good as new. On her arrival a couple of months ago at Hokitika, the West Coast Times spoke thus of the Charles Edward: — “ Taking her throughout, the Charles Edward is one of the bonniest steamers that ever entered the river, as she is beautifully built both as regards model and material, is well put together, and moreover combines great carrying capacity with light draught and great power, her engine being 60-horse nominal, .whilst her draught when she crossed the bar yesterday was only 4ft. 6in. aft and 4ft. forward. She is 125 feet long upon the keel, 18ft. beam, and Bft. depth of hold, and 90 tons register', exclusive of engine room, but on a pinch can stow away on deck and below 140 tons cargo, and then not draw more than six feet aft. She is a paddle-wheel boat, driven by one admirably built steeple engine of four feet stroke, the diameter of cylinder being fifty inches.— Colonist.