THE FROZEN MEAT STEAMER MARSALA.

The s.B. Marsala, under contract to the New Zealard Refrigerating Company, arrived at Port Chalmers and was moored^at the south side of the George Mreet Pier at 11 a.m. on Friday (Bth). " The Marsala is the newest steamer of the celebrated Hamburg line owned by Messrs Robertr M. Sloman Bnd Co., whose ves3els trade(regularly to Adelaide, Melbourne, and Sydney ; and so popular are they, that the owners are building still larger vessels for tho trade. She was built on the Clyde,- at the yards of Messrs A. Stephens and Co., of Glasgow, who also constr cted her engines. She has' been built as' a cargo-carrj ing vessel, having a . capacity of 4000 tons ; and for the intake and rapid discharge of this there is every facility In the shape of efficient' steam winches, while her hatchways are sufficiently capacious to admit of large lifts. The Marsala is a straightsteamed vessel, has'a pretty stern, and is rigged as a schooner. She' was built under special survey, and is on the highest registered class at Lloyd's. Ker dimensions are: — LeDgth, -820 ft 2-10ths; breadth of beam; 86ft 2-lCths ; apd depth of hold, 24ft G-lOfchs. Her gross measurement is 2367 tons, and the net measurement 17.79 tons. Amidships there is a biidgedeck 80ft in length, andfronithisthe vessel is steered by steam gear. The steering-gear, which is worked by s 1 earn, is one-of-the newest-patents out, and is so arranged that in the, -event of any mishap to the steam apparatus," a turn' or two of a small wheel will render the gear available for steeri-ig by an ordinary hand wheel.' The Maisala's refrigerating chamber is fitted ill theforehold, and is intended to carry 1000 tons of car^o. The cold air is provided by means of one of Messrs Hicks, Hargreaves, and Cos. (of Bo! ton, Lancashire) patent refrigerators, driven by a pair of 20-horse power engines. Thes,e have' been in use. for the last two days, and consequently the chambers are ready to receive the meat at any time.\ Captain Broecker states the refrigerating' machinery worka remarkably well and smoothly,- so that -we may sa-'ely anticipate the most favourable results from thi-i cargo in the Home markets. The Marsala will take some 8000 &heep, besides other produce, and goes Home.via Java.