NEW AUSTRALIAN STEAMER.

Poverty Bay Standard, Volume X, Issue 1045, 7 March 1882, Page 4

NEW AUSTRALIAN STEAMER.

Recently a magnificent screw steamer named the Austral was launched from the yard of Messrs. John Elder and Co., on the Clyde. This new steamer is intended for the Australian passenger trade of the Orient. Steam Navigation Company. Her dimensions are—length over a 11,471 feet; breadth, 48 feet; depth, 37 feet.; displacement, 9,500 tons. Her engines are of the three cylinder type, capable of developing 6,300 horse power, and she is therefore expected to be very fast. Accommodation is provided on board for 120 saloon, 130 second-class, and about--300 intermediate or steerage passengers. The Austral is built wholly of steel, and will take the highest class at Lloyd’s. She is built upon the double-bottom principle, and is divided into thirteen watertight bulkheads, ten of which run up to the height of the main deck. Above the main deck she is divided into seven fireproof divisions by stout steel bulkheads, and ample provision is made for full supply of water in all parts in case of fire. The principal saloon is before the midship part of the vessel, as are also all the first-class state-rooms. The diningroom is a large square apartment lined with solid wood in a most beautiful style of art. The state rooms are fitted with every luxury. The second saloon and state rooms are also large and well furnished, and the intermediate class cabins are a great improvement upon the accommodation usually provided for a large number of respectable persons. All tl.e bedsteads in the saloon stale rooms, second saloon and all intermediate cabins are of iron, with woven wire mattresses or -steelband bottoms, and there are baths and lavatories for all classes of passengers. The promenade deck is a special feature in this ship, being 220 feet long by 46 feet wide, providing the saloon'passengers with ample space for exercise in all weathers. The state rooms, cabins, &c., are placed away from the sides of the ship and towards the middle line, thus giving light and air between the walls of the ship and the cabins, and preventing the beds, sofas, &c., from being wetted bv the spray. Upon the upper deck are the drawing and music rooms smoking rooms, galleries, bakeries, hospitial, &c. The Austral is compared with the Orient, 10 feet longer, 2 feet greater beam, and of the same depth.