THE DIRECT STEAMER RUAPEHU.

Auckland Star, Volume XXIII, Issue 4291, 22 February 1884, Page 2

THE DIRECT STEAMER RUAPEHU.

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The Now Zealand Shipping Company's now steamer Ruapehu, with a largo and valuable cargo and 132 Government immigrants for this port, arrived at Hobart at 9 a.m. yesterday, after a very smart passage of thirty-nine days and a fow hours from Plymouth, via Teneriflo. This, of course, includes delay at the latter place. She took her departure from Plymouth on January 12, and after a fine run of five days arrived at Toneriffo on tho 17th. Toneriffo was probably left the same day, and from there to Hobart thepassageoccupied3sdays. The Ruapehu is expected to leave Hobart for Auckland this evening after havinocoaled, and should she arrive here early on Wednesday morning, as may reasonably bo anticipated, the whole trip, including stoppages, will have been accomplished in about 40 days. Tho Ruapehu is a sister ship to tho Tongnriro and Aorangi, both of which have mado successful trips between London and tho South, so it will be seen that the Shipping Company's now steamers have tuvned out very satisfactorily. The vessels aro built of steel throughout and have cutwater stems with figureheads' which give them a.very graceful appearance' The dimensions of tho Ruapehu are : Length between perpendiculars, 3Soft; length ovoi all, 410 ft; breadth, 40ft; depth, 33ft 4in with a gross tonr.ago of 4,200. She has three decks with large foro-top-gallant forecastle for crew, petty officers, and conveniences, while n large bridge deckhouse is fitted amidships, enclosing ongine and boiler casings, and containing accommodation for officors, engineers" galleys, sculleries, etc. The after deckhouse encloses saloon entrance, music and social hall, two special state-rooms, saloon well, and captain's room. Accommodation is provided on the main deck for about SO first-class, 80 second-class, and 250 thirdclass passengers, and tho main saloon is a lino, largo, and elaborately-furnished apartment, 42 foot by 32 feet, situated in tho midship portion of the ship. Tho second saloon and state-room aro forward of the machinory space, and arc fitted up in a most substantial and complete manner Saloons, corridors, oto., are lighted with tho eloctric light on tho incandescent principlo The Ruapehu also has refrigerating chambers, with two refrigerating engines of the most approved typo. Her engines, whicl indicate 4,000 horso-power, aro surface con densing, and have two inverted cylinders ono high pressuro, 46 inches in diamote and ono low pressure, 88 inches in diametc each adapted for a stroko of 4ft 9in