THE "CITY OF GLASGOW" STEAM SHIP. [From the " Glasgow Herald," April 15.]

New Zealander, Volume 6, Issue 457, 31 August 1850, Page 2

THE "CITY OF GLASGOW" STEAM SHIP. [From the " Glasgow Herald," April 15.]

This splendid steam-ship which was launched so recently as the 28th February sets out to-moirow, as our readers are aware, on her voyage acron the Atlantic —being the first attempt to establish steam communication direct between this city and the commercial capital of the United Statei. Although the " City of Glasgow" only left the building-yard at the period specified, she has to a certain extent, earned the character of & tried ship before being applied to the great work for which she is destimd. Simultaneously with the construction of the iron hull, the machinery was being prepared in the engine foundry of Messrs. Tod & Macgregor, the builders; and, as a consequence the stenm was up within little more than a fortnight after the ship left the stocks. She was immediately sent to lea on a private but effectual trial trip ; and for sev. eral days encounteied and well withstood all the wild blasts of the equinox, which were felt so smartly along the west coast during the middle and close of March. The propelling performances of the screw far exceeded expectation ; but as the sailing qualities of the ship are now to be tested by the sweep across the Atlantic, it will be well to wait for the result as it will be narrated in the log of Capt. Matthews. Since the return of the " City," she has been berthed on the South side, completing her internal furnishing*, engaing passengers and taking in cargo: But during this time, and especially for the last few days the ship has been visitedby thousands on thousands of our population —ladies and gentlemen, strangers as well as towns' folk — and she has been converted into the scene of a gay promenade from morning to night, much to the annoyance, we should say, of all who had real business to do, connected with the ship. On Friday and Saturday the Captain issued orders that there was to be *' no admittance," so that he might have leiiure and room to stow cargo, and put hit charge in ship shape order ; but hit unkase was of no effect. Gay and winlome ladies would not be said "nay ;" gentlemen pleaded so anxiously that they could not be refused, so the good ship has remained a public and pleasing show till the very period of starting for her destination. £ In former numbers we hare explained that the ship is as strong as iron plates, bars, straps, and rivets can make her ; and that she is divided into five water tight compartments which would secure her a^ain almost every contingency of accident, excepting that of being thrown bodily upon the rocks. But to avert any risk of thii kind, a gentleman has been engaged as commander who should know the course between Great Britain and America almost as well as if milestones had been placed along the road, viz., Capt. Matthews, who had crossed the Atlantic 90 times as an officer, and 26 of these as Commauder of the favorite "Great Western" — a gentleman who, by the testimony of all who Lavs tailed with him, is.enticledto the character of

"every inch a seamen." The hands to be directed by thiß able head appear to make up a veiy adequate complement — there being in all devoted exclusively to the business of the ship, first, second, and third officers, 20 seamen, 4 engineers, 9 firemen, and 5 apprentices. While to minister to the wants of the passengers there are 12 stewards, 2 stewardesses, 1 baker, 1 cook, 4 assistants, a band of musicians, with brass and stringed instruments; and lastly a doctor, with an ample medicine chest—a functionary, however, who is in the meantime kept in the back ground, for it is not conceived that any one can be or should be ill, when so many appliances are at hand to keep them well. It is worth while to mention to the credit of Messrs-, Tod & Macgregor and the Captain, that the crew is truly a picked one, consisting of able and experienced and mostly married men, belonging to the port of Glasgow, who have been made well aware that steady conduct will ensure enconragement and permanence of situation but that negligence or a single case of drunkenness on duty will cause the forfeit of every thing. The " City of Glasgow" has been laid out for 110 berths, viz., 52 of the first class abaft the funnel, and 58 of the second class before the funnel. Every one of these has been engaged from Mr. Langlands, the intelligent agent, by passengers of both sexes, from every part of the three kingdoms, but principally from Scotland. The passage-money is 20 guineas for the first clasi, and 12 guineas for the second The bill of fare for the first cabin is, we observe, of a very sumptuous description, consisting of soups, fish, flesh, fowl, and game when in season. The meat is fresh, either from being newly killed or preserved in ice ; there is milk from the cow; as we have stated there is an efficient baker ; and altogether the passengers seem to poetess every element of comfort and conviviality which the beit regulated hotel on shore can supply them with. The passage-money includes nil this, but affords no wine. Every man, so to speak, drinks " from his own can." No " seasoned cask," or heavy fuddler, is allowed to drink his own share and that of two or three others beside. If a man will have his wine he must pay the piper, and those of the temperate or teetotal principle are as welcome as he. After accomodating the passengers, the ship has room for 1000 tons cargo which is already largely oc«upied by manufactured goods, the product of Glasgow. Wrought iron, we observe, formed no portion of it, She also carries 400 tons of coal; but has the advantage of being bark-rigged with which she shows she can bear heavy canvass, and 6ail fust. As we have formerly stated, the ship has beam engines of 350 horsepower ; a screw of 13 feet diamater, with a pitch of no lets than 18 feet. To make a!l as safe as precaution can make it, we may mention that the " City" carries six boats, viz., two life boats* two cutters, and two gigs, which in all are commodious enough to carry 200 persons. After this general sketch, we may notice a little in detail the internal fittings, which are tasteful and genteel, and got up with a view to comfort and pleasantness, rather than to dazzle with unprofitable brilliancy They are we may mention^the work of Messrs. M'Murray, Boyd, & Co., of 15 St. Enoch Square. The grand saloon is upwards of 54 feet long, fitted up with rich wainscot pannelling— the ornamental part, in the Rennaisance style, being richly carved. Along the side are 12 large pictures, representing striking views in various countries, amongst which are a View of Glasgow from the Necropolis ; View of Clyde from Dalnottar Hill ; The Land's End ; Kennilworth Castle ; Innisfallon on Lake of Killarney ; Cork River ; Bay of New York from the Telegraph Station ; Hudson City of Constantinople ; Bosphorous ; Hong Kong ; Shang* haej&c. The artist, we obsesve, is Mr. Anderson, of Paisley. Each picture is set in a richly-carved and gilt frame, in mat and burniihed gold. Between the pictures, and in the doors, are rich pannels of fret work lined with crimson silk, and in the centre of each pannel is placed the Glasgow arms. At the fore-end of the saloon is a large sideboard, surmounted with a richly-carved and gilt mirror. Along the centre runs a range of dining tables capable of accomodating 6'J persons furnished with settees on each side having moveable backs. Above the tables are mahogany racks for holding crystal On each side at the atter-end of the saloon are ranges of sofas, covered with crimson Utrecht velvet plush, with tea and card tables, &c. Againat the rudder case is a richly-carved and gnilt clock surmounted with the City of Glasgow arms, and in front of it is the entrance to the lower cabins, containing state rooms for surgeon, chief, stewaid, &c, and servants apartments. Hound the stair to this cabin ; a fiuely»ornamented oak-rail and balluitrade. The state rooms are entered from the saloon by lobbies, which are fitted up with patent lamps, enclosed in glass cases. Each lamp lights a lobby and two state rooms and is placed under lock and key. The berths in the first class are fitted up with beautiful Tournay curtainsi with fringe and silk hangings. Each state room contains two berths, with sofa, marble basin stand, gilt mirror and every convenient requisite for comfort and cleanliness. There are also two large state rooms, containing four berths each which can be let as family rooms. They are divided with damask curtains. The ladies' cabin communicates with the saloon, and has also a seperate entrance to the main deck. It is fitted np with rosewood sofas, covered with crimson Utrecht velvet and contains eight berths adorned with silk curtains, gilt mirrors, &c. The bulkheads and ceiling are painted white and gold, with with ornamental pannels of fruit and flowers. Each passenger has drawers for clothes and other necessaries, furnished with seperate keys. In the entrance lobby to the saloon is situated the captain's cabin ; and on the the other side is the steward's bar, fitted up with racks for crystal, china, stoneware, &c. ; and glass cases for containing silver plate, of which there is a large supply. The main deck forms an unbroken promenade, secure from all weather of upwards of 130 feet, along which are placed ranges of state-rooms. Abaft the funnel are placed nrst-cla69 rooms fitted up in every respect similar to the salon berths. Before the funnel are situated the second-class state-rooms, done up with mahogony sofas covered with haircloth, which turn up to form beds, each room accomodating four passengers* There is here also a ladies' cabin with seperate entrance ; and also some family rooms, containing eight berths. In the centre between the funnel and the fore-hatch, and enclosed by damask curtains, is a clear space of 46 by 16 J feet, which is fitted up as dining saloon for second-class passengers, and is capable of accomodating between 60 and 70 persons. The requisites of hot, cold, and shower baths, are of coarse amply supplied. The "City of Glasgow" will get under weigh tomorrow the moment she is afloat, and should the tide serve as it is expected it will do the will go right out to sea without stopping at Gresnock or any where else* We look upon this euterprize with considerable interest. It is an effort to combine a reasonable degree of speed with certainty and cheapness and is intended to link the west of Scotland with the principal seaport of the New World. We may expect in due course to see touriets taking advantage of " The City of Glasgow" for a pleasure trio to the United States in the same way as they have hitherto made a voyage up the Rhine or a rua to the Highlands of Scotland ; and there is little

doubt that the some facilities, and moderate scale of charges will induce our Yankee friends to extend their persoal acquaintance with [the land of their fathers.

English Shipping. — The Dement, from Hobart Town, arrivfd at Gravesend on the Bth April. The 'homas Hughes, hence the 18th December, was spoken on the 4th March, in lat. 19-S , long. 28 -W. The Candabar and Francis Ridley for tint port via Adelaide, sailed from Deal on the Bth; and the Mary White, for Sydney, on the 4th April. The Melbourne wa9 adverti&ed to sail for this port on the Ist June, and the Senator with despatch ; the Bernicia was to leave London on the 30th April, and Plymouth on the 10th May, for Adelaide ; Melbourne, and Sydney ; the Gipsy Queen for this port via Adelaide. From Plymonth llth May ; the Oriental, for this port and Syd* ney, on the 18th May; the Lysander, for Adelaide and Port Phillip, on the 25th May; the Princess Helena 616 tons, Giles, was to sail from London on the 30th April, calling at Plymouth, for Adelaide, this port, and Sydney to be followed by the Robert Small, 1200 tons burthan, on the Ist June. Trafalgar wus advertised for Adelaide, and the Benjamin Elkin, for the same place in June ; the Stiilingshire and Agostina were both advertised for Launceston. The Cornhill, hence the 22nd March, arrived at Singapore on the llth May.