NEW ISLAND STEAMER.

Auckland Star, Volume XXXIX, Issue 130, 1 June 1908, Page 2

NEW ISLAND STEAMER.

DESCRIPTION OF THE TJ.S.S. OCX'S TOFUA.

(From Our Special Correspondent.) LONDON, April 24. Hie new twin-screw steamer Tofua., which is the latest addition to the extensive fleet of the Union Steamship Company of New Zealand, and which sailed for Xew Zealand on April 11, is a handsome vessel of over 4300 tons gross. Her principal dimensions are, length between perpendiculars 350 ft, breadth, moulded, 48ft, depth 31ft. Being primarily designed for the Island trade, her principal passenger accommodation is above the weather deck, and great care has teen taken to make all living parts of the vessel cool and comfortable, even in hot weather. The vessel has a long 'midship bouse, containing the iErst-dase accommodation, on top of which, is a shade deck with additional accommodation for first class. The shade deck is protected from the sun by a boat deck above it, -which forms an ample promenade for the use of first-class passengers. The second-class passengers are berthed in the after end of the vessel, their saloon, being situated on the upper deck. The accommodation on the shade deck is exclusively for first-class passengers. In addition to a number of three-berth staterooms fitted up with all modern conveniences, there is a music room at the forward end, panelled in. mahogany, finished in enamel white, ornamented in gold. The design is in the style of Louis XVI. The swing doors are of fceautifully stained glass, and large mirrors are worked into the framing, a feature -which always recommends itself to lady passengers. The saloon is lighted by a well above, iwhich is panelled similar to the sides of the saloon, and fitted with a frieze of Tyneeastle canvas. The ■well is surmounted by a teak skylight, having stained glass panels in harmony •wiiii the general features of the apartment. The colour scheme of the upholstery is in pale tints of green and lose pink, the cushions being in tapestry of these colours, the window curtains of .pink silk tapestry, and the carpet of green Wilton. The vestibule of this deck, and also that of the deck below, are panelled in New Zealand moa wood, treated in a simple classic design with diamond panels. In the epandrils some rich carved -work is introduced. At the after end of this accommodation is the finst-clasa smoking-room, the elitssie design of which, is carried out in. oak framing, with figured satinwood panels finished in a dull polish. A feaifcure of the smoking-room is the domed roof panelled in strap work, finished in two shades of ivory and gold, beneath which is a clerestory having oval -winclows fitted with stained glass in marine designs. The floor is of rubber tiling, giving a secure foothold, even in rough .weather. Tjne upholstery is of uncut moq-uette of a green shade, and the windows are fitted with railway carriage blinds to harmonise. The first-class dining saloon is in the fore end of the deckhouse on the upper dec V.the architecture is of a Georgian enaratter executed in! Bght oak, •waxed. The sides are divided into "bays with fluted, and carved columns, and in each bay is a small table with seats so that parties may dine by themselves. The doors are filled iwith leaded glass in conventional landscape designs, the upholstery is in blue figured uncut moquette, the curtains being of blue and cream silk tapestry. IA. touch of warm colour is supplied by crimson carpet runners, and table cloths of a corresponding colour. The secondclass saloon, is a large airy apartment, ipanelled in pine, and finished in art sha-des of enamel. The upholstery is in blue and gold carriage cloth. In, order to handle cargo -with promptness and dispatch, the vessel is fitted <with eight powerful steam winches, carried on. the roofs of special deckhouses, so that cargo can be worked on both, sides of the ship, from every hatchway, at once. The steering gear is a Erown'e eteain tiller, controlled by telemotor from flying bridge; and a powerful warp-ing-'winch. is installed in -wheelhouse aft for use in working the vessel in harbour, •while the. anchors end cables are dealt with, by a steam -windlass on the forecastle deck. In order that the vessel stay carry cargoes of fruit in sound condition, there is an artificial system of »entflation fitted throughout all the hold epaces. There are four large steam fans iwitji trunks led to the various compartments, and the controlling arrangements axe each that any hold may be dealt with in. accordance with the requirements of the particular cargo which is being earned. The vessel is fitted' throughout arifcli electric light, including all naviga- j tion lights, the installation being by the baOdeis. Abaft the engine-room a portion of No. 3 hold is insulated for carrying , provisions and cargo at a low temperature. Tie refrigerating , engine is on the ammonia system, and is capable of ansintoinirrg a very lew temperature in fee chambers, even in hot weather. Thsojrghput the vessel is fitted a Clayton's system of . fire extinguishing by means of salpinx dioxide, and although it may never have to be used, it is typical of the thoroughness of which the owners of toe vessel provide ior the safety of their passengers under all conditions iwhich may be foreseen. The propelling machinery, .which eonfdsis of two sets of triple expansion engines, supplied -with steam by boilers •working under the Howden system of forced draught, was supplied by Messrs. Denny and Co., of Dumbarton. The mean speeil attained on the measured mile was 14| knots. The Tofua was launched from the yard of her builders, Messrs. William Denny nnd Brothers, Dumbarton, on the 9th December last year, and is the 39th vessel built by them for the Union Steamship Company of New Zealand, Ltd., representing a tonnage of over 65,000.