THE NEVADA.

Westport Times, Volume V, Issue 814, 18 May 1871, Page 2

THE NEVADA.

The following is a description of the steamship Nevada, the pioneer boat of Messrs W. bb's line of steamers, conveying mails between America and New Zealand. " She is registered at Lloyd's Al for seven years, 3,000 tons burden, built in New York in 1567, of live oak, double planked, four inches thick, iron stripped, 256 feet long, 41 feet beam, 26 feet depth of hold, four decks, including the spur deck and coal hole, the height of main deck is eight feet, berth deck seven feet, cargo deck s'x feet. The deck beams are strengthened underneath with braces. Siie has two masts, and can be brig rigged. The machinery was constructed with great care, and many recent improvements introduced. The engine is a vertical beam machine. The cylinder is 85 inches in diameter, with 12 feet stroke of piston, and on her trial trip averaged fifteen knots, and will average a speed of 340 miles per day when working up to full power, and is looked upon as the fastest ship on this coast. (Standing aft on the hurricane depth, and looking 28G feet forward, our Australian friends exclaimed that a line of these ships would certainly command the whole of the passenger traffic, and that one of these ships appearing in the Australian waters would astonish the natives, and decide the question of subsidy at once. Eunuing along the centre of the deck are twenty beautiful state rooms, oacii having a close and Venetian door opening on the deck, with windows 32 inches square. The state-rooms are all double, with doors on cither side, and patent veu-

tilatora in the top. Forward of these cabins are the captain's, purser's, and doctor's rooms. Eight aft ia the ladies' sitting room, well fitted up private, and ventilated with several doors and windows. Forward of that is tho gentleman's smoking room 16 x 18 feet, fitted up with a degree of comfort seldom touud aboard of ships. On the main deck is the grand saloon, 90 feet long by 28 feet broad, 8 feet under the beams. On either side of the saloon is a row of state rooms, opening on the deck, accommo. dating eighty passengers, ventilated and in every respect the same as the rooms upon the upper deck, with two bridal chambers in the forward part of j the saloon. The main entrance is spacious and airy, 40 x 28 feet, with lartre folding doors and staircase, lead. ing up to the hurricane deck. Forward of the main saloon is the pantry, kitchen, officers' mess and en. gine rooms, bath rooms, barber's shop cow-house ice-house and bar. Forward on this deck the male portion of the third class sleep in standing berthsthe females sleep below in cabins. The deck is cleared of berths during the day, and used for eating purposes. The berth deck, as far aft as the second cabin, is ocupied by third class passengers, and will altogether accom. modate about 620. Abaft this, there are some 40 well-ventilated state rooms for second cabin passengers, with plenty of light and properly fitted up. The sleeping and other accommodation, such as wash rooms, bath rooms, etc. come fully up to the standard of first, class on board the City of Melbonrue, Further aft are six large, first-class state • rooms, 12x10, fitted up with every degree of comfort and modern luxury, with'bath rooms, etc. The means for extinguishing fire are perfect. An iron pipe, leading the entire length of the ship, on the berth deck, with some ten or fifteen valves, with hose always attached, and in the hold steam can be used with more effect than water. The means for saving life are most effective—life buoys in every room, and boats that will contain 830 passengers.