NORTHERN STEAMSHIP COMPANY.

Auckland Star, Volume XXXIV, Issue 229, 25 September 1903, Page 4

NORTHERN STEAMSHIP COMPANY.

THE NEW STEAMER RARAwA.

The Northern Steamship Company's new steamer Barawa, built by Messrs. Gotnlay Bros, and Co., of Dundee, for', tbe Oneb iinga-.\ ew Plymouth trade,'{. expected to arrive at Auckland tomorrow evening from Dundee, and will be met outside the Heads and escorted into the harbour by one of the "Con.' pany's .steamers, on board of which will be representatives of the Company and friends.' The steamer is commanded by Captain Blacklock, who;is accompanied by bis wife and daughter. The cliiet officer is Mr Gumming:., who came out "in the Ngapuhi; second, Mr Rowlings, who bas a brother in Auckland, employ! Ed in the Campbell-Ehrenfried Com. pany; third, Mr Robertson. Mr Gov, the designer of the boat;., is corning out as chief engineer. The second engineer is Air Lester, third Mr Blackwood, fourth Mm Macfavlane. 'Mr Wliit. is chief steward.

The Rarawa was launched on April 30th last. She is of the "awning deck" type, constructed to the highest classiii Lloyd's register, and under their surveyor's special survey, as well as in accordance with the Board of Trade re-' gulations. ifhe principal dimctisiom are:—Length 210 ft. beam 31ft., depth 14ft., and gross tonnage 1100. The hull throughout is of "."emeu's Martin steel," in excess of Lloyd's rules, and is dividvd by five watertight bulkhead, and arranged with water ballast tanks forward and aft for trimming. The main deck is of steel, sheathed with pine, awning and shade decks of teak, and bilge keels pre fitted to minimise rolling motions. ..The entire main deck is devoted to the accommodation of passengers, a total of 142 first and 48 second-class being arranged for. _he. first-class state-rooms on main and: lower decks are large and airy, fitted with' patent iron folding berths, electric bells and lavatories with water supply laid on. The dining saloon on main deck forward of the , machinevy is a large apartment extending right across tl__ ship, and panelled in polished oak. '_. stairway leads to the social hall on awning deck, which adjoins the smoking room, these rooms being in oak aud walnut respectively, and having a dome skylight above with stained glass windows. A. ladies' cabin adjoins . tlwi saloon, and the work is tastefully upholstered. Pantries, bars and lavatories are fitted replete with/ every modern convenience. The second-class* passeit: gers are berthed aft on the main deck, with a ladies' cabin in house oh'the awning deck above, panelled in polished mahogany, and ft. ted similar to, firstclass. Tlie officers are berthed amidships, and crew in forecastle, while ac commodation is arranged for stewards' on the lower deck aft. The vessel, is rigged as a fore-and-aft schooner, with steel masts, constructed for. lifting heavy weights, 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 bows, steam steering gear amidships, and screw gear aft. .A complete installation of the .electric light has been fitted throughout the, vessel, and special care has been taken to ensure that every part shall be thoroughly ventilated. A large cooling chamber is lifted on the lower deck, for carrying perishable cargoes, with refrigerating "Ufchinery, by Messrs. Hall, on the carbonic anhydride system, and arranged also for making a supply of ice. Great attention has been paid tithe question of life-saving appliances, there being no fewer than six large boats, fitted with a patent gear - for rapid swinging out, and also autohiatio detaching gear for the tackles, and a cork lifebelt has been provided for every soul on board.

The vessel is fitted with two sets of triple expansion, surface condensing' engines, having each three cylinders, vi_-> one high pressure, one intermediate, and one low pressure, working at a pressure of lSOlhs. The diameter of the high pressure cylinder is 14 inches, the intermediate 23 inches, and the low pressure 37 inches, all having- a stroke of 24 inches. There are two large ended cylindrical steel boilers, witli six corrugated furnaces, constructed for a working pressure of 190_bs per square inch.-. During her trial trip at Dundee the steamer averaged a speed of 13-J knots per hour, which is considered entirely satisfactory. The new vessel has been built to the designs and specifications of Mr Gee/ Gow. superintending engineer to the Northern Steamship Company. It may be mentioned that the Rarawa is an enlarged and improved edition of the .win-screw steamer Ngapuhi, which was built by Messrs Gourlay for the same ser.ice three years ago. . \ .*__