ARRIVAL OF THE PENGUIN.

Auckland Star, Volume X, Issue 2925, 29 August 1879, Page 2

ARRIVAL OF THE PENGUIN.

Tho s.s. Penguin (recently purchased by tho Union Company to take thoplaco of tho Taupo on the East Coast trade, and whichicached Port Chalmers from Glasgow last week) arrived from Tauranga, East Coast, and Soul hern ports shortly before five o'clock this morning, having made the run from Tauranga in twelve and a-lialf hours, We are indebted to Mr W. H. Stodart, purser, for late files, etc., ana for the following report of the pas3ago:—Lef t Port Chalmcr3 at 515 p.m. on the 22nd, and arrived at Akaroa at 910 a.m. on the 23rd; left at 10.35 and arrived at Lyttelton at 2.30 p.iu,; left again at midiight and arrived at Wellington at 3 p.m. ou Sunday: left again at i p.m. on Monday, the 25th, and arrived at Napier at 2.40 on tho 26th ; left again atlo.3oand arrived in Uieborno at 8.10 on tne 27th: le:t at 1.33 and arrived at Tauranga at 10 30 • left at 1.20 and arrived at 145 this morning. She brought tao following passengers:—Messrs. E K. Biown, Edwards, and Blythe, Mr and Mrs Turner, Mra Tennant and family. Mis Hogg and two children, and. ten iv the steerage. During tho day the steamer was inspected by a numbor of psrsins interested in shipping matters, all of whom expressed considerable admiration. Tho following description of the steamer is extracted from the Dunedin "Morniug Herald":—"ln appearance generally the Penguin bears a striking resemblance to tho Hawca and Taupo; indeed, we are led to believo that tbo latter vessels were modelled from tho Penguin. She is some 6ft. longer than the Ha wen, and haa 2ft. Gin. more beam, which gives her a fine roomy deck. Commencing from aft thero 13 a spacious poop-deck, with a plain but comfortably-fitted smokingroom situated between two large I'kyliiihts that afford abundaneo of light and ventilation to the saloon below. Passing over the quarter-deck along a railed gangway, the bridge deck is reached. Here are to bo found the forward steering gear, telegraph, captain's room, and eneine room hatch, the whole being flanked on either side with boats, of which there are four. Right forward is the top-gallant forecastle, on which is fitted up one of Napier's steam windlasses, for lifting She anchors, or heaving in a lino when it is nuce33ary. Descending to the main deck, and commencing at the after end ngain, the saloon is the most prominent part. It qaito lexceeded our expectations in every detail, beißg not only comfortable to a degree, but really handsome. It differs from all other saloons in tho Coinpany'3 boats inasmuch ai it is entered from the main peck through a spacious pa»sage flanked by three bridal chambors of more than ordinarily large dimensions and a ladies' saloon, neatly fitted up to accommodate eight, but bo arranged that provision for more than this number could be easily made. The main saloon is very lofty, scrupulously clean, well lighted, and excellently ventilated. Enclosed berths for 54 passengers are separated from the dining-room by polisher! oak panelling, picked out with blue and gold. Along the whole length of the saloon tables are placed, at which 50 peopio can bo comfortably seated at one time. The bid-* cabins have three berths in them, and are prnvirlcd with marolc wash-hand stands ani aU other ceosssmea. A not unimportant feature is a roomy pantry on the port side, fitted with a slcam boiler and other improvements calculated to render travelling by sea a3 pleasurable us possible. This depnrtmont was presided over by Mr. Carson, recently in tno Taupo. Under the bridge is the eocine room near about amidships. Everything here was a marvel of tidiness and good order. The engines are low pressure surface condensing, of ISO nominal horse-power, indicating 300 horsepower, with a pressure of 301b, which is her average. Steam is supplied from two boiler?, each havi'g four furnaces. At a speed of 13 knotsperhourhar consumption of coalis22 tons •pe>- diem, not a large amount for her power. Mr. Blaclcwood is chief engineer, Mr. Ramsay second, and Mr. Carter third. Forward of the boiler-room are the galley, lamp-room, cooks Btore, and the chief officer's and chief engineer s rooms. The steerage is entered by a companionway under the broak of the forecastle, and will bear a most favourable comparison with any boat out hero. The after part is divided off for males, of whom 20 can easily find room. In it are two wash-hand slants and two mahogany tables with Beats. Although the fittings are plain, they are neat and very suitable, i orward of this is the bar, enginefr's mess-room, cooks room, ana the ladle 3' cabin foremost of ail. Here are ten berths, with all necessaries for the comfort of its occupants. Like the saloon, this part of the ship i 3 lofty, well ventilated, and very cloftDi The steamer was built andenginedby Todd and M'Gregor, Glasgow, in 1864, her dimensions being-lsngih, 220 ft.; beam, 28ft. 6in.; depth of hold, 16ft. This gives her a gross tonnage of 749, or 442 tons net register. Sho originally traded between Liverpool and Glasgow, and more recently ran b.tween the latter port and Havre, and always was a favourite boat, being Bpeedy and etsy in a sea way, and she was trading in a part of the world where calm whether is very much the exception. Having alargo carrying capacity on a light draught of water, she ifl eminently suited for New Zeala-d waters, andtofacilitateloadingand discharging two superior Bteam winches are on the main deck, one at tho main and the other at the after hold. Although 15 years old, she does not anpoar to ba half that age, having been well kept, and subject to little or no rough handling:. Her plato 3 are thick and substantial, and no doubt contain a better quality of iron than it is the fashion to manufacture now-a-days. Bemg a thoroughly serviceable vessel, the Union Steamship Company are to b9 complimented upon their acquisition."