INTERESTING FERRY STEAMER

Auckland Star, Volume LII, Issue 303, 21 December 1921, Page 7

INTERESTING FERRY STEAMER

BRITANNIA STILL BUNNIKG. J j AFTER THIRTY-SEVEN YEARS' SERVICE. I Despite the fact that the paddle- , steamer Britannia is the oldest ferry I boat on the Auckland Harbour she. is j still holding her own with the younger j vessels. In fact the Takapuna TramI ways and Ferry Company, which now I own her, have given the veteran a new I lease of life. j The birth of the. Britannia was away I back in 18S."», when she was built by Bailey and Co. to the order of the Dcvonport Kerry Company. Although many boats have been built for the ferry services since then there are nevertheless few who van come up to her in respect of spacious cabins and general comfort. For many years she wns the standby of her la.te owners, and was used night and day. running up and down the harbour. . A few months ago the Devonport Ferry Company s;>ld the steamer to her present owners. She was surveyed and certain recommendations from the surveyors and the engineers were submitted to the company. These recommendations have been put into effect at a cost of about £5000, with a result that the Britannia is now one of tlic most comfortable boats running to-day. The many passengers who have travelled 'by the paddle-steamer will recollect her characteristic "cough." In accompaniment, witih this plaint there used also to be a disconcerting emission of smut.3 which spoilt many a holiday i dress at the outset of the day's exeur- ■ sion. The new owners have completely eliminated the chunking end the smuts with the installation of a compressor and a circulatinc pump, and henceforth passengers may travel without apprehension of beinfr cove-rod with soot at the : journey's end. A trial trip will be run I to-morrow.