THE NORTHERN COMPANY'S NEW STEAMER.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume XXXXV, Issue 211, 2 October 1903, Page 2

THE NORTHERN COMPANY'S NEW STEAMER.

ARRIVAL OF THE RAWARA. A SPLENDIDLY FITTED STEAMER. The Northern Company's new steamer lUwara, which has been specially fitted for the trade between Onehunga and Now Plymouth, arrived at Auckland from Scotland and way ports on Sunday morning, and was berthed at Qiiay-s'reet jatty No. 2. Her arrival in the port was watched by crowds of spectator,, who assembled on the various wharves in the harbour, and accorded the new vessel for the local shipping company a moat enthusiastic reception. The Rawara was launched on April 30sh last. She i 3 of the "awning deck " typ", constructed to the high, st class in Lloyd's register, and under 'heir surveyor's speci-.l survey, as well as in accordance with the Bard of Trade regulations, The principal dimensions are:--Length 210 ft., beam 3lfr„ dap'h 14ft., and gross tonnage 1100. The hull throughout is of " Sit men's Mai tin steel," in excess of Lloyd's rules, and is divided by five watertight bulkheads and arranged with water bilkst tanks forward and afc for trimming. The main deck is of steel, she.thed with pine, awning and shade decks of teak, and bilge keels are fitted to minimise rolling motions, The entire mean deck is devoted to the accommodation of p spongers, a total of 142 first and 48 ■itcond-cluss b.ing arranged for. The first-class state-rooms on main and lower decks are large and airy, fitted with patent iron folding barths, electric: bells aiid lavatories with water supply I bid ou. The dining saloon on main d ck forward of the machinery is a large apaitment extending right across the ship, and panelled in polished oak. A. stairway leads to the social hall on awning deck, which adjoins the smokiu? room, these rooms being in oak and walnut respectively, and having a dome skylight above with stained glass windows. A ladies' cabin adjoins the saloon, and the woik is tastefully uphols'ered. Pan'lie?, bars, ai.d lavatories are fisted repUte with every modern convenience. The second class passengers are berthed aft on the main deck, with a ladies' cabin in house on r ha awning deck above, pinelled in po'ished rmhogany, and fitted similar to firafc-class. The officers are berthed amidships, and crew in forecastle, whilst accommodation is arranged for stewards on the lower deck aft, The vessel is rigged as a fore-and-aft schooner, with steel masts, constructed for lifting heavy weights, and has two hatches, eaoh with steam winch and double derricks for handling cirgo. The other deck machinery consists of a powerful steam windlass in bows, steam steering gear amidships and screw gear i f c . A complete installation of electric light lias been fitted throughout the vessel, ind special care has been taken to ensure tb»t every part shall be thoroughly ventilated. A lirge cooling chamber is fitted on the lower deck for carrying p rishable c*rgo*s, wi'h refrigerating machinery, by Messrs Hall, on the ear bonic anhydride system, and arranged ill o for a supply of ice. Great attention has been paid to the question )f life suing appliance*, there being ni fewer than six large boa's, fitted with a patent gear for rapid swinging mt, and also automatic detaching geir for the tack'ef, and a co'k l.febelt has been provided for every soul on board. The vessel is fi ted with two sets of riple expansion, sutface condensing engines, having e*ch three cylinders, viz,, one pressure, one intermediate, and one low pressure, working at i pressure of 1801bs. The diameter of the h'gh pressure cylinder is 14 inches, the intermediate 23 inchec, and the low pressure 37 inches, all having a stroke of 24 inches. There are two large ended cylindrical steel boilers, with six corrugated furnaces, constructed for a working pressure of 190lbs. per Fqwe i ch, During her rial t ip at. Dj->-'V 'ho steamer aver--iged a sp3(d of 13£ kuo s per l our, •vh'oh i- 1 considtrod entirely sitisfac try. The new vessel has been built | -o the design and specifications of Mr i Georgo Gow, suporintending engineer ■ to the Northern Steamship Company. It may be mentioned that the llarawa its an enlarged and improvsd edition of tho twin-screw steamer Ngupuhi, which »as built by Messrs Gourhy for the same service.