NEW VESSELS FOE THE NEW ZEALAND AND AUSTRALIAN TRADE.

Westport Times, Volume IV, Issue 667, 4 June 1870, Page 3

NEW VESSELS FOE THE NEW ZEALAND AND AUSTRALIAN TRADE.

(From the European Mail, March 25.) The Argyleshire, an iron sailing ship of 700 tons registered, built by Messrs Dobie and Co., Govan, was launched recently for Messrs Law, Taylor, and Co., Glasgow, for the New Zealand trade. Messrs Robert Napier and Sons, of Glasgow, are, we hear, constructing for Messrs Devitt and Moore, of London, a magnificent screw-steamship of about 3000 tons register, to be fitted with a pair of compound engines capable of maintaining an actual working power of 2000 horse. The steamer is intended for the Australian passenger line, and will be commanded by Captain George M'Donald. In addition to her great steam power, she will be so rigged that in the event of an accident to the machinery she will in point of speed and safety, be equal to any first-class sailing clipper afloat. On March 16, Mr J. G. Lawrie, of Whiteinch, launched a splendid iron ship, named the Lochleven, of 1200 tons register, and the highest classification at Lloyd's, forming the sixth vessel of the Glasgow Shipping Company's line of packets between Glasgow and Melbourne. There was launched at the Clyde on March 15, by Messrs R. Steele and Co., a handsome sailing composite ship named the Hampshire, of 1170 tons register, intended for the London and Australian trade. The vessel, which is the property of Messrs Wigram & Sons, London, is the following demensions:—Length, 205 feet; breadth, 34 feet; depth, 21 feet 6 inches. Messrs Walter Hood and Co., Aberdeen, laiinched on March 17, a fine iron clipper ship, named the Leucadia, of the following dimensions, viz.:—Length of keel, 194 feet G inches; breadth, 23 feet 8 inches; and depth, 20 feet 4 inches new measurement. She is to take the berth in

Messrs Shaw, Savill, and Co.'s line of packets for Otago. Messrs Thomas Royden and Son launched, on March 19, an iron clipper ship named the Eaton Hall. She is one of the largest iron ships afloat, her ditnensionsbeing—Length,2ssft; beam, 42 feet j and depth, 24 feet; register tonnage, old measurement, 2200, and new about 1700. The Eaton Hall has a full poop, and is fitted up in the usual superior style of vessels of her class. She is under command of Captain Mcsnard, and will be despatched for Melbourne en April 10.* Messrs Barclay, Curie, and Co., launched on the Clyde, on March 15, a magnificent ship, named the Jasen. Her dimensions are—Length, 242 feet; breadth, 31 feet 6 inches ; and depth of hold, 23 feet 6 inches ; her tonnage being 1700 carpenters' measure, and 1500 tons register. She will load for Melbourne as one of Messrs Ismay, Lnrie, and Co.'s line of packets, to be despatched on May 20, under the command of Captain Peter M'lntyre.