THE UMTA.

Auckland Star, Volume XXX, Issue 203, 28 August 1899, Page 4

THE UMTA.

The 8.1. steamer Umta arrived yesterday morning from Calcutta and Singapore, with a cargo of Eastern products. The Umta is one of the latest additions to the fleet, having been built last year by Stephens and Sons, of Linthouse, Glasgow. Her dimensions are:—Length, 423 ft; breadth, 50ft 9in; depth, 32ft; tonnage, 7300; capacity, 8300 tons. Her engines are on the triple expansion principle, of 382 n.h.p., and develop a speed of about 11 knots. The cargo appliances are very powerful, and are of the latest type. Accommodation is provided for a few passengers, the saloon being very tastefully upholstered. Electric light is installed throughout the vessel, which has been engaged in the trade between India and Mauritius. Mr A. D. McPhail.the chief officer, reports that the steamer left Calcutta on July 27, and experienced fine weathei? and moderate breezes to-Singapore, which was reached on the 2nd inst. Left again on the 4th, and met with heavy rain squalls and much thunder and lightning on the sth, followed by moderate breezes and flne.clear weather. Passed Bowcan Island on the 7th, and experienced strong to moderate breezes and high head seas. On the 13th and 14th heavy squalls of wind from the south-east, accompanied by heavy seas, were experienced. Reached Goode Islanu on the 14th, and on the 16th slowed down to communicate with H.M.s. Dart. Stopped off Cape Morton Pilot Station on the 20th, and landed the pilot on the 20th. Strong breezes and line weather were experienced until the 21st, when the wind gradually increased to a gale from the E.S.E., accomnanied by a high sea and rain squalls,which continued until the 24th, when the wina went into the N.W., blowing strongly and raising a high cross sea. Made Cape Maria Van Diemen on Saturday, and met with fine weather down the coast to arrival at the Queen-street Wharf at 8 a.m. yesterday. The Onda proceeds to Wellington this afternoon.