A NEW STEAMER.

Auckland Star, Volume XXIX, Issue 233, 3 October 1898, Page 5

A NEW STEAMER.

LAUNCH OF THE KAPANUI

The second vessel of the Coastal Steamship Company, the Kapanui, was launched from the yards of Mr K. Logan, senr., this morning. The launch was very successful, the vessel gliding easily to the water as the ropes were cut. The christening ceremony was performed by Miss J. Logan, daughter of the builder, who broke the customary bottle of champagne across the vessel's bow, naming her the Kapanui. The vessel has been designed and built by Mr E. Logan, and is a very strong-looking,handsome | steamer. She is built of kauri j throughout, on the diagonal principle, | with three skins, and is copper-fasten-j cd. The Kapanui is 102 feet overall, 18 feet C inches in the beam, and 7 feet in depth'of hold. On a draught of G feet C inches she will carry bei tween 80 and 90 tons of cargo in the ! hold, which is situated in the fore part 'of the ship. In the bow of the ship is the forecastle, containing four swingback berths for the crew. The enginej room is abaft the hold, and is roomy and well-ventilated. The engines are by Cable and Company, of Wellington, ' and are expected to develop a speed of .11 knots. The bridge is situated i amidships, above the engine-room. On \ the poop-deck is the ladies' cabin, i which is large and well lighted with | brass ports. It is handsomely uphol- ■ stered in red Utrecht velvet, and is fitted with padded seats and backs, | and will provide sleeping accommoda- ! tion for about ten persons. The j saloon is situated below the poop- j deck and is very large and comfortable. The companion-way leading to ' it is placed in the. engine-room in order to make the saloon as large as pos- j sible. The saloon is decorated, panel- i led, and upholstered in harmony with the ladies' cabin on deck. In the water, the steamer possesses a very pleasing appearance, her curves being very graceful. The work of building the 1 vessel has been very faithfully carried I

launching" the Kapanui was towed round to the Queen-street Wharf, whore her engines will be placed in her under the superintendence o£ Mr W. McKeegan. It is expected that she will take up her runningl in the trade between Auckland, Waiwera arid Mahnrangi about the end of the present month. Success to the vessel was drunk by those who witnessed the launching", and several speeches wore made. Mr James Dunning-, Chairman of. Directors of the Company, in responding' to the speeches, thanked the speakers for their kind wishes for the success of the steamer and the Company. He believed the Company had entered upon a highly sticcessful and useful careei', especially as far as the settlers were concerned. He stated that the Company had come to stay. It had not been called into existence as a new speculation, but to fill a most urgent want. The success which had resulted from their trading so far had been exceedingly gratifying to the directors and was a happy omen, making them sanguine and certain of the future. The promoters of the Company are to be congratulated upon the success of their efforts to establish a settlers' steamship company, and great praise is due to Mr lv. Logan for the handsome and suitable vessel he has turned out.