The Westralia.

Manawatu Standard, Volume XXXIII, Issue 6079, 15 July 1897, Page 4

The Westralia.

• ~—»' , The following description of the fine ' Addition to the Huddart-Parker fleet trading to New Zealand ia from the 1 Auckland Star:— . The Weßtralia in appearance is like an ' enlarged Tasmania, but she possesses 'improved characteristics even on that fine vessel She is handsomely modelled, 'her- lines, being exceptionally pleasing, ' and under way, espeoially at sea, she, will present an imposing appearance, arid look what she. has proved herself to powerful liner and an exceptionally , tasv seaboatt- The Westralia is of 2,884 tons gross J' register, and was built In 1896 by Mr I. "Wng, of Sunderland, and is 827 fset long, with a beam of 41 feet, and depth '3'28 feet. She has a double bottom, 'intn numerous watertight compartVfln*»! <Sd baa a straight stem and el'fipabal utera, lier rigTieing that of a fore an's,ift schooner. The Westralia has foiE cargo holds, which are fitted with Clark and Ohapman'B patent fric "tion #iohesfor working the cargo. The f steamer is propelled by triple expansion letglnes, and here again the same study 0f effioienoy has been made. The en- /.' gJses are of' 2,500 horse-power, with * •' J " I**

oylinders of 25.46.}, and 68 inches diameter, and 45in stroke. The main boilers are double ended, of 15ft Sin diameter, and 17ft long, working up to a pressure of 1801b per square inch. Among the auxiliary engines are two for supplying the 275 electrio lights throughout the ship. There are various subsidiary appliances on board, all of the latest pattern. The propeller is made of manganese bronze and drives the Westralia at the rate of 14 knots an hour. Accommodation is provided for 140 saloon and 350 second saloon passengers. The first class accommodation is of a luxurious description. The staterooms are in the alleyways on the main deck, and are arranged frr two or four passengers. On the starboard Bide are the ladies' state berths, baths, lavatories, etc., and a most luxuriously-fitted boudoir, a beautiful reading room and library. Electrio bells and electrio lights are fitted throughout. Numerous bathrooms are conveniently situated on the ' main deck, and the sanitary arrangements are simply perfeot. The matter of ventilation throughout has been care fully looked after. Like all modern steamships she has a music saloon, sooial hall, smoking saloon, and, what should meat with universal favour, a dining saloon almost the whole width of the vessel, situated on the poop just before the bridge, securing the most perfeot ventilation, and thus enhancing the comfort of passengers. This apartment is lighted from the sides and by a very handsome dome, glazed with artistioallyfigured and coloured glass. The entrance to the saloon is particularly handsome and convenient, the wood worn of the vestibule being of teak framing, with oak panels. The swing doors are of hondsomelydeßigned cathedral glass, leaded in hardwood frames, The dining-saloon is fitted to seat 70 passengers. The design and fittings are in excellent taste, without the suspicion of. meretricious adornment. The poop deck from the dining saloon aft forms a splendid promenade for passengers. The smoking room and social hall are right aft. The ladies' boudoir is upholstered in stamped terra cotta velvet, with a Wilton pUe carpet on the floor. The berths are all iron, and the baths are cut from solid blocks of marble, and supplied with hot and cold water. Forward of the well deck is the accommodation for second-class passengers. Here, as in the other class, the comfort for travellers has been carefolly studied. The bathrooms are ample. The lavatories have marble-top benches, and the bunks are iron, with Hosking's Oriental mattresses. The isolation of the women's cabins from the men's is complete. The Westralia is commanded by Captain P, W. Bull, late of the Elingamite, the commodore of the Huddart-Parker line, a gentleman well-known on the coast of New Zealand, and a great favourite with the travelling public.