THE NEW TURBINE STEAMER.

Dominion, Volume 1, Issue 47, 19 November 1907, Page 8

THE NEW TURBINE STEAMER.

DESCRIPTION OF THE MAORI. DUE ' TO-MORROW ' MORNING. " The Union Company's new. turbine steattte? 1 Maori, which replaces the Mararoa in .tlie Wel-lington-Lyttelton- ferry service; 1 : is timed to leave Lyttelton this evening for Wellington. The Maori was built by Messrs. Denny Bros., of Dumbarton, and'ather speed trials averaged 20$ .knots. Leaving Glasgow on September ~29, the Maori made six stoppages on the journey .to Dunedin to ■ replenish bunkers. •_ Fine weather was experienced until after leaving Colombo— a day after the Orient liner Himalaya hid departed—for Fremantle. The voyage across was one to be remembered, and the Maori had an excellent opportunity of showing her speed and sea-going qualities. Sho reached Fremantle live. hours ahead of the Orient liner, notwithstanding that strong S.E. trades were encountered, accompanied by heavy seas.-. The big ljjier is reported to have had a. severe, buffeting about, but the Maori had no . such experience, and all on board spoke highly of the vessel's splendid sea-going powers. Captain. Livingstone, who brought tiw Maori out (as he did the turbine steamer Loongana three years ago) is very enthusiastic about the merit* of his new charge, and considers there i« nothing in Australasia to equal her.

The vessel's dimensions axe':—Length, 350 ft.; beam (moulded), 17ft.; depth (moulded), 26ft. The Maori steers as well astern as she- doee ahead, and her captain considers her to bo the most easily handled vessel south of the Equator. Mr. Healy, chief engineer, is equally proud of the vessel's engines, which worked without a hitch or stop during the whole time, except when in port. She is fitted with Weir'g patent silent air pumps, Paul's electric en. gines, silent circulating pumps being fitted with forced lubrication. Lamont's auxiliary oil pumps are installed, which force the oil through the bearings of the turbines, which work in an oil bath, and there is practically. no A car of bearings whatever. She is'', fittedwith a patent adjustable thrust for adjusting, the turbines' when running;, if necessary, 'ana* the starting ..platform is fitted on the lower " platform, whence everything is under perfect control. Loud speaking telephones provide -'• communication with the bridge' and engineroom. ' • ; ' I'HE PASSENGER ACCOMMODATION.-, • The new-vessel, although an enlarged turbine steamer of the Loongana type, in- addition'to possessing that vesSel'6 good points, has' all later irn provemen ts, suggested as the. result- o! experience. Practicaljy the whole of the vessel is devoted to the accommodation of the passengers.- A shade deck extends almost from the stem to the stern.' The first class music room'and Gocial hall, is'a specious apartment, and is situated on this deck. The ornamenta-tion-is ■in the "Adams" style, the fittings, panels, etc., being of fine 'figured mahogany, finished in white enamel, the furniture-being of mahogany also, and it-includes a; Bechstein grand piano, and artistically-designed musio cabinet. This apartment is amply - lighted by means of large rectangular windows, aid a centre well surmounted by a skylight, of stained glass in .rich and harmonious tints.' ( The couches, settees, etc., are upholstered in silk' tapestry, the colour scheme of the hangings, etc., being in pale green and cream shades, the Wilton carpets being of 'a'; subdued bjiie tone to Hmtch, the whole " effect being most artistic. . ' • The is situated amidships' on the upper deckhand is furnished in'teak'and Hungarian ash, and, as -in" other compartments, shows tliat expense has been, a very secondary consideration. A ventilating fan-is .situated under a brass grill at-th'e top of the ceiling,which is domed in the'centre., Quite a number of -tate rooms are situated on this deck The quarters occupied, by the 6.eamea and fireman are in the forward part of the main ' deck. .These include mess rooms, bathrooms, and 'lavatories, all roomy and comfortable/ \ ' A large vestibule, nicei*- decorated, giyea access to the main deck,' the., amidships portion being devoted to the first-claSs state rooms, and similar accomiswdation extends from forward as far aft as ti.i" forward funnel, aiid thence along the port s„>, the starboard side being devoted to the etc., which includes ally the lateist baking, and 1 culinary appliances. The engine room" staff is berthed on this deck, near-'the-erinn'e-roqtn. ; The space abaft the turbine -hatca .'is up • for second-class passengers, and the. forward pori tion is devoted to the accommodation pf ,th» seamen, firemen, greasers, and petty officers, ami embraces many improvements suggested' by previous experience,' and marks a decided step forward in the'provision of better accommodation for the crew.. -

Powerful' gear is provided for • the- handling of cargo and mooring: and warping the vessel. Large rudders are provided both at bow atid stern, the after rudder being controlled by Brown's patent, steam tiller, controlled by telometer from the flying bridge, the forwani rudder being ' controlled ;by\ Hastie's Tpatent strain steering gear. Eight large boats ars cafried. -and a special winch provides" lor their rapid handling, the boats being carried on special.droppingchocks. Electric light is fitted throughout, and hot and cold baths are provided for officers and crew in addition to those usually provided. The Maori's prODelling machinery consists of five turbines, two of -them being for reversing, and can propel her astern at the rate of about 12 knots. Three shafts provide the propelling power. The following officers accompanied Captain Livingstone on the Voyage to Duncdin -.—Chief officer, Mr. J. R. Stringer; second, Mr. -G. Ciithbert; third, Mr. F. Govsky;' fourth, Mr. 6. M'Leod; fifth, Mr. B. Spain; sixth, Mr. P. J. Olive? seventh,. Mr. S. Rothery; Mr. J. Heal v has charge of the engine department, and his; assistants, are Mrr F. E. King (second), Air. J. Bruce' (third), Mr. P. J... S. Wood (fourth), Mr.. W. ' Hall ' (fifth), • Mr. G. ■-A.. Gibbs (sixth). Electrician, Mr. A Lang; acting purser, Mr. Mitchell. \.i.