ARRIVAL OF THE S.S. WAVERLEY

Patea Mail, Volume VIII, Issue 1039, 25 May 1883, Page 2

ARRIVAL OF THE S.S. WAVERLEY

Patca has been-in -a aiate of'excitement" to-day, which is 'quite foreign to the usual demeanor' of its and it must be admitted that there good cause for the bustle and bright faces that were to be seen everywhere. Soon after half-past ten it became known that the Waverley had arrived, and a large number of people made their way down to-the' wharf to have a look at her. The-first matter: requiring attention was the greeting- of- the popujar and -respected skipper, and the hearty welcome he ■ received. from. one ami all must have convinced-him that •he had a very warm corner in the hearts of friends. The next thing was to inspect the vessel, and :this was done by the people who went on board wiih - every -sign Of‘satisfaction. Briefly described, the Waverley is os follows : —Length, 96ft beam, 17ft Gin ; registered tonnage, 77, with a slightly increased carrying capacity, The bull is a sightly structure, a capital combination for speed and comfort. She has a high sheer, -with a sharp entrance, and a good flange to the, hows, which; will, keep her from “ dipping.” The run ’aft is clean, in fact she has - yacht-like appearance. The internal arrangements must be pronounced first-class, and must l have been the result of an immense amount of thought and contrivance upon the part of Captain Gibbons. • Eight forward is the forecastle, and adjoining aft of that is the second cabin—-a lofty apartment, fitted up with sleeping accommodation for 12 passengers." The ladies’ cabin is situated on deck amidships, and is commodious and comfortable. There are twelve berths. The upholstery'has been done in~ cedar and crimson velvet; the floors' being covered with linoleum* The pannelling is imitation bifds T eye, f the celling being painted.. white* .which gives a light and cheerful aspect, to the cabin, i; There is a large skylight, with ample means of ventilation. The gentleman’s saloon is aft, and is astonishingly commodious. Indeed the visitors wonder where on earth all the room comes-ftfem in such a little craft. The upholstery and fittings are similar to those in the ladies’ cabin. Sleeping;‘ accommodation can be comfortably > provided for twenty passengers, of whom by the way she is 1 licensed to carry forty-two. When extended the table will accommodate 16 people. Attention has been paid, to there is a large skylight and portholes’thafccan be Opened in fine weather. In -front of the saloon are the lavatory and the steward’s pantry; both neatly fitted up for their requirements. The commissariat department is presided over by our* old friend Mr Fred De Vere }i whom we mourned as dead, but who we are’glad to say looks parlicnlarly -healthy and likely to cheat the had not better; any, further in this direction or when we take a trip by the Waverley • “ Fred” - might take his revenge. At 1 the top of the stairs leading-dPwn to the .'salobn is a comfortable little smoking room, which will no doubt be appreciated in rough weather, by lovers' of the : weed. Thfe engine, and boiler are of course well known, and their efficiency is such* that they can propel the Waverley ,at ; 9 khots easily, and that is a good speed; for a small vessel. On deck the arranger meats are in keeping with those below. The officers are berthed in a row of cabins under the bridge deck and their; quarters are comfortable. The galley is situated? inside the enclosure; found the top Of ,the engine room, and .is. |.hus protected from any seas which break pn , board. Forward there is? a--steam winch for discharging, and the hatch is a ; fine ; large one... Xhe Waverley. is steered from lhe bridge,, and the engines are signalled by telegraph.,-; Two Capital boats are carried, but we hope' occasion for their use'may never arise Unless by way s of a pleasure’trip. There is much more, about the Waverley which is interesting, but time and space compel 'us to close' this brief account. Our advice to all. is .to go .down, ahd ' see her. , In our opinion she is for her size the neatest. and most compact little steamer in the Colony, and : with accommodation far beyond what might be expected to look at her. Visitors during the day, and there were many,expressed themselves .one and all as delighted with the Waverley. .During

the morning a few gendemen met in the cabin to welcome Captain Gibbons and drink success to his vessel. ... Amongst those present' .wm,;.Messrs J, Gibsons R C Tennent, Josjah -Richardsj : W= Cowern, H Gibbons, T Eytoh, J W Bright, G H Norman, J Milroy, H E P Adams, Pringle, W Balraforth, Gowland, &c. &c. After. “ Fred ” had made a dive into some of those mysterious; : corners known • only to the initialed, and' re-appeared with sundry bottles, glasses were charged, and Mr Tennent briefly proposed the health of Captain Gibbons and success to the PaCea Steamship.Company. . He said that Captain Gibbons had been in their employ for five years. He had run without accident, and if they could have kept him in the vessel the accident might not have occurred. He concluded by expressing the hope that Captain Gibbons would run for the Company for many years. The toast was drunk with enthusiasm. Captain Gibbons thanked those present for the hearty manner in which they had drunk his health.‘ He had always done his best and would continue to db'so; 'He hoped the Waverley would be successful and bad tried his best to make, her.so'. ' The Waverley will leave for .Nelson and Wellington at 11 o’clock, to-morrow morning. .