DESCRIPTION OF THE MARAROA.

Auckland Star, Volume XXV, Issue 248, 17 October 1894, Page 8

DESCRIPTION OF THE MARAROA.

The Maravqa is the second largest steamer in the U.S.S. Company's fleet (the Monowai being the largest), and she has always been a favourite with the travelling public, by reason of the comfort obtainable ou board, and the reputation which ehe bus always held aa a fasb steamer. Tha Mararoa was builb in 1885 at Messrs Denny's yards, at Dumbarton, and was ab the thno the crack boat, of, the .bplendid fleet, tri size and magnificence of appointments she exceeded any of the other steamers, her dimensions being as follows : —L'eiigth, 32©fb ; beam, 42fb; depth of hold, 26ft. The Mararoa has a gross registered tonnage, of 2,465 tons, and a carrying capacity of 1,560 tons. Shg ia fitted with a refrigerating chamber having a capacity of 30 tons, and has a tine promenade deck. The latest improvements in tho system of electric lighting are n?ed througheufa, and she has compound treble expansion engines of 3000 indicated horse power. Hydraulic gearing: is fitted'for working cargo, etc. The Mararoa ia fitted throughout) according to the latest designs and a great deal of money haa been at various times expended on her in order to keep pace wibh the requirements of the inter-colonial trade. The saloon is situated amidships, ■as in the Wairnrapa and Manapouri, and al! the fittings are of the lateab and most lavish type, Ou her arrival in Now Zealand waters in 1886, tho Mararoa waa put into the San Francisco mail service, and ran in the Pacific trade for several trips. For several yoara she was under the charge of Captain Edie, who is now harbourmaster ab Sydney. Four years ago the Mararoa broke the record between Gisborne and Auckland, making the run up here from that port in the good time of 20 hours 40 minutes. During her eight years' intercolonial service she has made some excellent running and hue put up seme fasb performances, keeping up ab times a speed of 15J knots per hour.