THE ARRIVAL OF THE S.S. MAWHERA.

Grey River Argus, Volume XXX, Issue 4783, 21 January 1884, Page 2

THE ARRIVAL OF THE S.S. MAWHERA.

The arrival of a first-class steam collier direct *rom Home to this port would, in itself, be an event of sufficient importance to call for notice, and create a feeling of interest amongst the community generally ; but when the arrival is that of the very first vessel that has been built k, specially for this trade, named after our \ . own river (the native name of which is \ Mawhera), commanded by one of the \ most energetic, fortunate, and popular \commanders trading to this port,; and direct from the builders' hands to this po'rtj it was no wonder that the Whole town seeaned^k Iwvve turned out,

and volleys of hearty cheers greeted Capt. Johnston as he brought his vessel alongside the wharf on Saturday, where he has so often brought the Grafton, which in ( his hands has proved a popular and profit- ' able boat. The large crowd of people who assembled on the wharf to witness the arrival of the Mawhera was most unusual, and gave the quay a holiday air. There were mtmy and warm greetings from Capt. Johnston's numerous friends, who were eager to Avelcome him back after his trip to the old country to bring out the new boat, which is the third that has been I built for the firm to engage in the rapidly expanding coal trade of this coast. It was pleasant, too, to see that she brought with her from the Homo country and the Cape of Good Hope a number of sturdy and intelligent-looking passengers, who will no doubt make good settlers in this young country. Although we have already published i the more important facts as to the hull . and engines of the Mawhera, a few additional facts concerning her will not be unacceptable. She is as like her sister ship the Koranui as can well be outwardly and inwardly, as well as in all her appointments, though about 60 tons greater in carrying capacity ; and of the two it may be said without any disparagement to the latter, the general appearance of the j Mawhera's passenger accommodation and j engine rooms strikes the casual observer ! rather more favorably than those of her sister rhip. But the appointments, we believe, are essentially alike in nearly all ; respects. The engines are constructed of j steel wherever it could be suitably applied. I The boiler also is made of steel. The j donkey boiler is of the same metal, and j has the same pressure (901 b) as the main boiler. The ballast donkey pump is capable of discharging 50 tons water in three-quarters of an hour. The propeller is 10ft. 3in. in diameter, with 15ft. pitch, which reduces the slip to a minimum. After several tests this -was found to be not more than 10 per cent. The consumption of coal is lflb. per indicated horse power per hour. The construction of the machinery was under the sole superintendence of Mr J. C. Brown, chief engineer, who was sent Home specially for that purpose. Mr Brown came out out first as chief engineer of the ill-fated steamer Westport ; but he had been but a short time here when he was despatched home again by Captain Williams for the purpose already stated This is the third vessel that has been turned out for Captain Williams by the same firm, Messrs Muir and Houston, contractors, for the hull and machinery, though the hull is the work of the firm of Messrs M'lntyre and Co. The following are the names of the officers of the vessel: — Chief officer, Mr Watson ; second officer, Mr Clifford ; chief engineer, Mr Brown ; second engineer, Sir GLfford; third engineer, Mr Smith. Amongst the passengers are the wife and family of Mr Bnnra, chief engineer. The Mawhera will leave this afternoon for Wellington with a cargo of coal. The following are the leading features of the voyage as taken from the log:— She sailed from Cardiff on 15th November at 8 p.m. On the 16th encountered heavy westerly gales and was obliged to heave-to for 24 hours. She passed Maderia at 1 noon of the 22nd; and crossed the Equator 'j on the 3rd December. The nortli-east { trades were very light, tliu fcoucli-east | trades strong, with dull weather. Ar- \ rived at Capetown on loth December at 1 ? p.m. Besides being hove-to for 24 hours \ tlie day after leaving Cardiff, which was ! , done in the teeth of a gale, she was ■ I stopped for 16 hours to overhaul machij nery. The time from Cardiff to CapeI town was 29 days 17 hours. She sailed \ from the Cape on the 19th December at 6 I a.m. with a strong south wind and a head I sea. While running her easting down met with light westerly winds. The weather generally might be said not to have been favorable until Tasmania was reached, which island was passed on the 15th January. She arrived off Greymouth at eight o'clock on Saturday morning last, and came alongside the wharf about 1 p.m. The time from Capetown to Greymouth was 31 days 2 hours; steaming 1 time, 29 days 19 hours. The total time from Cardiff was 63 days 12 hours, and the total steaming time 58 days. The stay at the Cape was 3 days 17 hours.