NEW STEAMER.

Colonist, Volume IV, Issue 417, 22 October 1861, Page 2

NEW STEAMER.

The little screw-steamer Undine, which we have before referred to as in progress of building for Mr. Stock, of the port, was tried on Friday last inside the harbor for about two hours, and we hear that the result was entirely satisfactory. Her actual speed on that occasion was over "six knots per hour, which she was increasing, though laboring under the disadvantages of stiffness of bearings, and other matters inevitable with first experiments. She is fitted with a pair of horizontal oscillating engines, and tubular boiler, which is proved to a pressure of !501bs to the square inch. On this occasion she worked up to 14 horse-power under a medium steam pressure, the screw making 140 revolutions a minute. The screw has upon trial been proved to be somewhat small for the unexpected strength of the engines ;• it will consequently be removed and a larger one substitued as soon as possible ; which will give more speed and fewer revolutions, though at the rate above-mentioned (140) everything worked smoothly, with little vibration being perceptible. The boiler also worked well., and throughout the two hours the trial continued not a bearing was heated; her furnace is also very satisfactory. • • Of her dimensions we cannot at present speak, she has, however, two cabins, one of which is sufficiently capacious to dine 30 persons;. .there is a space allotted for cargo; and her consumption of fuel being exceedingly small, the bunkers will hold a long supply. The hull of this, the first steamer constructed in the province was built by Mr. Thomas Brown, and the engines fitted by Mr. Harrington; and she furnishes a proof that the province now possesses the requisite mechanical ability for skilled work of a high order, though it is but a short time since that we had to send to another province for the simplest iron casting.

Mr. Stock, to whom much credit should-be given for his spirited effort in the face of many difficulties, and whose example of relying upon the resources of the province is as gratifying as it is worthy of imitation, intends, running the Undine in theßay trade, and she will prove a boon to the passenger traffic or mail service. She is advertised to leave Nelson this morning for Motueka upon the occasion of the concert that takes place to-night in aid of the Widows' and Orphans' .Fund of the Odd-Fellows' Society at Motueka, and it is possible she will be ablo to accomplish two- trips from Nelson between 9 a.m. and the close of the concert.