THE N.Z.S. CO.’S NEW STEAMER RUAHINE.

Temuka Leader, Issue 2291, 10 December 1891, Page 4

THE N.Z.S. CO.’S NEW STEAMER RUAHINE.

A gentleman, now resident in London, has kindly sent us the following “ ‘ There are few more imposing sights than the launch of a modern mail-steamer as she glides for the first time into the deep.’ Such were my thoughts, whilst in Glasgow last week, on hearing that the well-known firm of Messrs Denny were on the eve of launching a new steamer for the New Zealand Shipping Company. Messrs Denny have built many steamers for New Zealand, not the least known being the Rotomahana, Rotorua, Manapouri, Arawa, and Tainui; and the Ruahine (for such is the name of the new vessel) will, no doubt, soon be as well known and as popular as any of the others. Messrs Denny’s yard is a very large one. The model room, the shops where the cabin fittings of the Ruahine were then being made, the forges where the great iron plates were being rolled, and lastly the Ruahine herself on the stocks made a magnificent display. She is a magnificent ship of nearly 6000 tons, classed 100 Al, three-decked, at Lloyd’s. A few years ago capacity for 6000 carcases of meat was considered sufficient, but the Ruahine far surpasses this, as it is estimated that she can carry about 70,000 carcases per voyage, which means nearly 200,000 per annum. But this is not all the capacity of the freezing chambers, which can take beef, rabbits, poultry, cheese, butter, etc., if there is not sufficient mutton to hand. The freezing machinery has been supplied by the Haslam Company. The Ruahine’s dimensions are as follows : Length between perpendiculars, 430 ft.; breadth, 50ft. ; with a depth of 34ft. Gin. from the upper deck. She is long-x-igged, and has her first saloon amidships on the upper deck. She also has a cellular double bottom, capable of holding 1000 tons of water ballast, whilst there are eight water-tight compartments, divided by bulkheads carried to the upper deck, and two complete steel decks, each sheathed with wood, will therefore be a very safe vessel. The life-saving apparatus is very good, including 11 boats, all built of teak, 8 of which are lifeboats. Her engines are quadruple expansion, whilst her bunkers have a capacity for 1700 tons of coal, with an extra bunker holding 300 tons more for extraordinary purposes. It is almost needless to say that she is lighted by electricity throughout. The christening ceremony was performed by little Miss Lilian Morris, the daughter of the company’s superintendent. A shrill whistle which denoted that this ceremony was successfully accomplished also acted as a signal to tlxe men told off to knock out the remaining pins detaining the vessel on the stocks. Simultaneously the vessel began to move, and glided into the water * amidst cheers from the assembled company. Refreshments were afterwards served, when the toast of “ Success to the Ruahine and the New Zealand Shipping Company” was given. Captain Norris replied, saying that if the Ruahine glided through the water as easily as she had from the stocks that day she would have a very easy time indeed.