NEW FERRY STEAMER.

Press, Volume XLIX, Issue 14723, 21 July 1913, Page 4

NEW FERRY STEAMER.

ARRIVAL OF THE WAHINE.

On Saturday morning all eyes in Lyttelton were centred on tho Wahine, tho magnificent new turbine steamer for the ferry service, which arrived in port shortly after 8 o'clock and berthed at No 2 Wharf, opposite her smaller but older sister, the Maori. Tho Wahine left Port Chalmers at 4 p.m. on Friday, but no attempt was made to drivo tho ship, which was steaming on only four of her e:ght boilers. Nevertheless she showed that she was capable of n' great turn of speed, even with half her power, and between Mceniki and Akaroa Heads, she averaged 16.-1 knots. On tne run up tho coast she was frequently slowed down, as it was not desired that she

should reach Lj-ttelton before 8 o'clock. Several tests of her manoeuvring capabilities were made by Captain. A. M. Edwin, who brought her to Lyttelton, and it was found that she was a, very handy ship. When berthing she came

alongside the wharf stern first, using

her bow rudder, and there

was a gusty nor'-wester blowing, she

was moored promptly and without the

slightest hitch. Descriptions of the veseol ; .bave already appeared in "The Press." It may be said now, however, that the Wahine is a remarkably handi some steamer, and although sho is only 25 feet longer than the Maori, her length appears to be much more. Outwardly she differs from the older ship in several respects, . the mos; noticeable of which is that she is plated right ud to the I level of the promenade deck, tho addi-

tional spaco thus secured and added to an extra 5 feet '2 inches in her extreme breadth being utilised in tho passeugor accommodation. Right aft, on tho awning deck, there is an open (space round the steering engine-house, giving

I amplo rooming for tho officers and crew to work when mooring or docking. Tho promenade deck of the Wahine extends tor her full length and breadth, and is considerably greater in extent than that of many a big liner. On this deck are situated the luxurious first-class smoking-room and the music-room, both apartments being beautifully fitted and tastefully furnished. Experience with the Maori has shown that the music-room on the night ferry steamer is not much used, and in the Wahine it is a comparatively small apartment at the head of the saloon cempanion-way. Tho additional space thus secured in tho deckhouse J-as been given to several deck cabins, including two special cabins-de-luxe, each fitted with two wide bedsteads, chests of drawers, and separate bathroom and lavatories. Thcso special ' cabins aro beautifully decorated and

furnished in the most luxurious manner, and are a distinct feature of the ship. Captain B. M. Aldivell took charge of the Wahine on Saturday, and she sailed in the evening on her maiden trip to "Wellington.