THE U.S. CO.'S NEW STEAMER.

Grey River Argus, Volume XXXI, Issue 5296, 17 September 1885, Page 2

THE U.S. CO.'S NEW STEAMER.

The Otago Daily Times, recently gave a lengthy description of the Union Steamship Company's new steamer Mararoa "which hag recently been launched from the shipbuilding yards of Messrs William Denny and Brothers, Dumbarton, and which will be the largest and finest boat of the company's fleet. We reprint the following interesting particulars concerning the new boat: — "The Mararoa is a steamer similar in style to the Wairarapa and Manapouri, but is 35ft. longpr and 6ft. greater in breid*h than these boats, while she has also the advantage of them in being fitted with the most recent improvements in lighting and machinfiry. Her dimensions are: — Length, 320 ft; breadth, 42ft ; depth, 26ft ; and her gross tpnnae;e' over 3,000 tons S^e has accommodation »for 140 first-class and 80 second-class paa°engers, the latter being quartered in the poop, in accommodation far superior to that usually allotted to travellers in this class even in the luxurious boats of the Union Company. The saloon is a noble room 36ft. by 38ft., and is situated on the main dedc amidships, extending across the whole breadth of the ship. The Mararoa is supplied with three cargo hatches, and a new and special feature is the introduction of the hydraulic system for working cargo. An hydraulic hoist is fitted at each hatch being capable of lift?n£ three tons a height of 60ft., and the others two tons the same height. The pro polling machinery consists of a directacting surface condensing engine, on the triple-expansion system, having one high-pressure cylinder 31in. in diameter, an intermediate cylinder 51in. in diameter, and a low-pressure cylinder 84in. in diameter, with a stroke of 4ft 6in., and to develope over 3,000 horse-power on trial. This is the first of the Union Company's boats fitted with engines on the tripleexpansion system. The Mararoa is to steam 16 knots on trial, and is calculated to maintain a speed of 14. knots at sea. Captain Edie, late of the s.s. Waihora, has been despatched home to bring the Mararoa out. She is expected to leave the Clyde early in October, and should reach New Zealand about the middle of November, when she will take up running in the intercolonial trade. The Mararoa will be made use of for the company's West Coast Sounds excursions. She will also, shouid sufficient inducement offer, make the next winter excursion to the South Sea Islands, a trip for which her spacious accommodation; superior ventilation, and possession of refrigerating machinery specially fit her."