TRIAL TRIP OF THE QUEEN OF THE SOUTH. [From the "Daily News," May 17.]

New Zealander, Volume 8, Issue 675, 2 October 1852, Page 2

TRIAL TRIP OF THE QUEEN OF THE SOUTH. [From the " Daily News," May 17.]

Those who have been wondering at the marvellous'y rapid development of the American commercial steammarine might fairly reserve a portion of their admiration for w hat has been done and is every day doing at home in tbe same direction, in a Far more efficient manner. A Tery admirable instance of the progress of Biitibh enterprise is afforded in the history of the General Screw Steamship Company, which although only six yeais established, bids fair at no distant day to appropriate a large share of tbe oceanic traffic of the world. The principle of the screw, which they have adopted, although not producing so great rapidity of motiou as the paddle, has yet vast advantages in the economy both of opace and fuel, and io the superior symmetry which may be given to the vessel, thus enabling her to glide more freeJy through the water under the momentum of wind and sail. Another great advantage is that the engine room, being of comparatively small dimensions, and placed low down in the vessel, a much cooler general temperature is attained— a luxury which the passengers well know how to appreciate when crossing the Equator. AH these advantages are fully developed in the company's splendid new vessel the Queen of the Soutb, in which the directors and a most distinguished party of friends, including two ex-Cabinet ministers, foreign ambassadors, distinguished members of boih Houses of Parliament and of both services, and several men of mark in the scientific and commercial world, enjoyed a highly successful trial trip on Saturday last. The company, in all about 120 guests, started, at 11 o'clock, irom Blackwall in the Father Thames, which had been engaged for their accommodation, and overtook the Queen of the South a littla below Gravesend, the latter vessel having steamed slowly down tbe river in the morning. An excellent opportunity was afforded of observing the proportions of the noble vessel, her symmetry being unmarred by cumbrous paddle wheels, and her masts, yards, and rigging, being exactly the same as in a Railing vessel of similar dimensions. The Queen of the South, which is nearly 2000 tons burthen and 300 horse power, is more length y anil somewhat narrower in the beam than a sailing vessel of the same tonnage, but to the unpractised eye there is nothing in her appear, ance to disturb or violate the general notion of a handsome ship, wbile ihe large port holes— not " shams" painted on for the reception of " ilummies," but regularly pierced for " long thirty-two's" in case of need give a very satisfactory notion of the defensive force our merchant navy could supply should any of the long talked of threats of invasion ever be realised. The company were received at the gangway " man-o-war" fashion, by the officers in handsome uniforms, and immediately spread themselves over tbe vessel to examine the various interior arrangements. The saloon which occupies the whole apace between the poop and quarter deck, is a spacious apartment, capable of dining 150 persons, and is fitted up in a state of substantial elegance. Tbe sleeping apartments are immediately below, and run the entire length of the vessel, with the very peculiar feature of a long corridor on each side, the effect of which must be to secure constant and thorough ventilation ; and the state-rooms themselves contain every requirement of a comfortable bedchamber. Baths and a pianoforte complete the accommodations, of which tbe visitors were loud in their commendations. Curiosity having been satisfied, the company sat down to an excellent luncheon supplied fiom the Artichoke, at Blackwall, the chair being taken by Mr. J. VV. Ellis, the chairman of the company. The following interesting particulars respecting the dimensions and accommodations of the Queen of the South, and the general progress of the company, were obligingly furnished by Mr. O'Beirne, the secretary. The Queen of the South is built of iron, "\ith watertight compartments, by the eminent builders, Messrs. Mare. She measures 240 feet from stem to stern, 39 feet beam, 25 feet in depth of hold, is of 1800 tons burden, and is furnished with engines of 300-horae power for driving Jier auxiliary screw. The engines — built by Messrs. Maudsley — are inclined cylinder direct action, the screw working with the same number of revolutions as the engine — riz., 60 per minute. The floats ar<3 15 feet diameter, with 17 feet pitch, and the steam is supplied by four boilers, which can be worked together or separately. The blades of the screw are feathered so as to throw them on a line with the keel, and not impede the sailing of the ship. The accommodation for pas■engers is of the most extensive and superior character. There is a magnificent saloon on the upper deck, and belo^v the berths are arranged fore and aft along nearly the entire length of the ship to tbe number of 130. The fittings up, the berths, arrangements for ventilation, &c, are all upon the most luxurious and complete scale, and every refinement that can minister to the comfort and convenience of the paßsengr r*, including one of Collard'a pianofortes, ha 9 been provided by the liberality and forethought of the director*. The construction of the vessel has been under the superintendence of Mr. Waterman, and her cost is about £'70,000. i.er speed, ai tested by the measured mile in Long Reach, is equal to 10£ knots an hour; and she i-, we can testify, perfectly free from that tremulous motion which sometimes makes itself so unpleasantly fuk in paddle • earners. The company was originally formed in 1 84G to trade between Holland and London with fcui steamers. In JBlB it became chartered, and extended its operations, building three additional steamers of 600 tons each, and engaging in the Mediterranein trade between Comtanjuopla and Liveipool. Being successful in the «pi>(U

l.itions, it tendered lor the peiformance of the ma'j service between England and the Cape of Good Hope. That contract was obtained, and they commenced the service with four steamers, in December, 1150. The company was then enlarged, and the capital increased, and a tendei was t-enl in for a further line of cominunic.i ion from the Ciipe to the .Mauntiu", Port de Galle, Madras and Calcutta, for which purpose it wa* pro| o-ed to build a fleet of seven steam ships, of from 1850 to 2000 ions burden. Three of these splendid ships, have been already launched, the Lady Jocelyn, the Indiana, and the Queen of the South. 'Ihe government contract, which was formerly £ 30,700 for the mail ser vice to the Cape of Good Hope, has now been increased to £45 ; 00(( per annum, and the steamers start i'rom Plymouth t')e 15th of every month, m.iking the voyage to the Cape in 3'J or 31 days; but with the larger class it is expected ib-it the dis ance mil be performed vritUin 30 days, and it is highly creditable to the company to state that since they commenced running to the Cape they have had no single case of failure, nor has the ordinary cour.>e of post been interrupted. Although so lately established they hay» already a reserve fund of .£ 12,000, and ibe annual dividends have averaged fiom sto 8 per cent. The same company have vessels engaged in the Dutch trade, between the ports of Harlington, Rotterdam, and Dunkirk, in connection with the Nothern Railroad of France. They have now a fleet consisting altogether of 16 vessels, amounting to about 18,000 tons.