ARRIVAL OF THE NGAPUHI.

Auckland Star, Volume XXXI, Issue 143, 12 October 1900, Page 2

ARRIVAL OF THE NGAPUHI.

—a. ■ NEW STEAMER FOR THE WEST-

COAST

The Northern Shipping Company's new steamer Ngapuhi, built at Dundee for the trade between Onehunga and New Plymouth, passed Cape Maria Van Dieman at's.so p.m. yesterday.

the Ngapuhi is a, handsome steel twinscrew steamer of 680 tons gross measurement, being considerably larger than the s.s. Gairloch, which in at present eraployed in the trade. The vessel was built by Measrs Gourlay and Co., at their Camperdown Shipyard, Dundee. She was launched on April IS, Miss Maud Gow, daughter of Mr B. Gow, who supervised the building of the vessel, performing the christening ceremony.

The dimensions are:—Length, 200 feet; beam, 30 feet;' the gross tonnage bliing GSO. She is builj of - steel throughout, -subdivided by five watertight bulkheads, each peak being fitted for water ballast. She-has a flush deck* with a shade deck aft, and was constructed to Lloyd's Al class, and under the Board of Trade's passenger certificate. Accommodation is provided amidships for about 100 first-class the staterooms being fitted with patent iron folding beds, and lavatories, and includes a large dining-saloon. panelled in polished Austrian oak, ladies' cabin in Hungarian ash, and smokingroom on bridge in dark walnut. There is also a social hall amidships, panelled in polished mahogany, fitted with piano, and lighted by a large skylight overhead, glazed with stained glass windows representing New Zealand scenery. The whole is tastefully upholstered, and- pantries, bars, lavatories, etc., have been fitted replete with every modern convenience. At the afterend of the vessel accommodation has been arranged for about 30 second-class pasengers, with saloon and ladies' room. The officers are berthed in a deckhouse aft, and the crew In the forecastle,

The vesael is rigged as a fo,re-and-aft schooner, and has two hatches, each with steam-winch and double derricks for handling cargo. The other deck machinery consists of a powerful steam windlass in the forecastle, steam steering gear amidships, and screw gear aft. A complete installation of electric light has been fitted throughout the vessel, and every part is thoroughly ventilated. Both holds are arranged for carrying- cattle, and are especially ventilated by electric-ally-driveh fans.

The Ngapuhi lsft Dundee on July 18, in charge of Captain W. F. Norbury, formerly of the Gairloch. She called at Madeira on 2Sth July, Capetown August 28, and Albany October 1. She was reported at Wilson's Promontory on Saturday afternoon last, and passed Cape Maria Van Dieman at 5.50 o'clock lust evening, "Ail well."

Mr C. F. Ranson, manager of the Company, accompanied by the Directors, left by the s.s. Murltai this afternoon to meet the Ngapuhi in the Gulf.