ARRIVAL OF THE ROTOMAHANA.

Lyttelton Times, Volume LII, Issue 5806, 4 October 1879, Page 3

ARRIVAL OF THE ROTOMAHANA.

' (From yeeteriay'e Otago Daily Timet) . Quite an event in Port Chalmers im the orrlral of'the Union Company’* new steamship Bototuabaua at 4 p in. on Odij. 1> and despite her immense size and lenjthi Captain Underwood brought her alongside th* Bailway Pier in beautiful style Indeed, to use a worn-out simile, "amt could hive bren crooked between the ship's side and the pUr without i' jury to its kernel." The vessel in exappearance I< a model of pereotlon, and does credit to Messrs Denny Brothers, her builders, tor a,more perfect specimen of naval architecture has never been Beett in New Zealand waters. She is rigged as a schooner, and has a standing bowsprit, together with an Iromeme funnel, which loomed prominently as she steamed up from Otago Hoads. Unlike those of most steamers of the present day, her bow is curved, giving her decidedly the advantage over any straight-stemmed vessel wo have yet seen. She has a clipper entrance and’ a olear run aft, and is altogether calculated to keep up the prestige which her constructors ihave always maintained as shipbuilders. In general appearance her hull is sem-what like that of the e.s. Aldinga, in an enlarged and greatly improved f irm. She has very spacious decks, with wide alleys, which render, it possible (or passengers to, take exercise in almost any weather, while extra promenade space is afforded by the dying decks amidships and aft. Indeed, to alljntents and pnrposestle Botomahana is the most superb and complete passenger vessel ever seen in this hemisphere. On her getting alongside the Bowen Pier she was promptly boarded by the Customs officials and the representatives of the Press, who were cordially received by Captain Underwood, the commodore, of the Union Steamship Company’s fleet, and by him shown over the ship, which is another manifest proof of the enterprise shown by the Company, who have octet* mined to leave no. hing undone in order to make their line equal,to .those which ball from the Old Country; and so well have they succeeded that the Botomahana has been pronounced by the most competent judges in Europe to be. one of the finest steamers ever constructed; indeed, so satisfied are her builders of this loot, that they are prepared to construct loner vessels on her model, which they hope will attain even a greater rate of speed than sh» does. Carte blanche was given by the Company for her construction to the agents at Home, and their confidence has been repaid by the advent of one of the finest steamers afloat. We have already given an account ot her trial trip, a--d are gratified to find that she has more than Infilled the expectations of her builders. These gentleman guaranteed for a speed of 15 knots an hour, but after her launch she was brought down to her loading draught, and noon her trial obtained a speed of 16.336 knots. Three days after this a second trial took place, and against strong adverse winds and as ebb tide, she again attained a speed of 15.158 knots, and this with an addition of 150 tons extra dead-weight on board. Her passage from the Clyde to London, against very heavy adverse weather, was. the quickest on record; and while she lay in the South West InUia Hook she was perfectly besieged by visitors. She was the admiration of all who saw her, and the Company is to be congratulated on having achieved a great success in bringing out so splendid a boat. Indeed, our Melbourne friends will now have no room to complain that there are no steamers capable of carrying on the trade between Hew Zealand and Victoria. It was at beat a querulous complaint, considering the floe line of steamers there are under the Union Company's, flog; but it is for ever set at rest by the arrival of the Botomahana. Her passage out from London has been one of the quickest ou record, the run from Plymouth to St. Vincent being made in seven days, 821 knots a day being, averaged nnder easy steam, and this against a head sea for three days, the vessel being deeply laden, and bythe W., After leaving St. Vincent she was reduced to halfspeed, with only'four boilers in use, and covered the distance between these two ports in 15 days and 2 hours, her rate of speed averaging 206 knots a day. Thence her passage aoro*s the Southern Ooean was a complete success, and she covered the distance between Cape Town and Port Chalmers, some 5860 miles, in less than 20 days, averaging 305 knots, while her passage across from Melbourne to Port Chalmers has only occupied 3 days and 16 hours, being the fastest run on record. The follow, ing details will show her rate of speed from Fort Phillip to Port Chalmers Ist day’s run 362 knots 2nd „ 30t „ 3rd 282 4th ~ 344 „ which are equal on the whole to a speed of 14.5571 knots an hour; and this was achieved in the face of very heavy weather throughout the run, while the vessel herself was in very light trim. We regret that owing to the lateness of the hour at which she arrived, and the influx of visitors to her, we are not able to do that j ustioe to her which she merits; but, indeed, to report upon her at length would occupy a far greater space than we have at onr disposal, while added to this we may state that a whole day would barely suffice to point out her many excellencies, both of construction and comfort. We mnst therefore content ourselves by stating that she is built of steel, in Lloyd's highest class -100 A I, her builders being, as we have already stated, Messrs Denny Bros,, of Dumbarton, North Britain. Her dimensions are: length 285 ft, breadth of beam 35ft, and depth of hold 25ft—her gross measurement being. 1727 tons, and her indicated horse-power 3000. She is built in watertight comportments, and is double bottomed aft, which enables, her to take in 140 tons of water ballast, for which purpove she is fitted with a special engine which pumps it in and out as occasion requires. Amidships she is spanned by a flying bridge, on which is a look-out bridge, and underneath, this is the upper part of her elaborate steam-steering gear, which is so beautifully adjusted that a child oonld steer her with ease and safety. Under the look-out. bridge ore the quarters allotted to Captain Underwood,' which are neatly and comfortably fitted up; while' on either side of the main bridge ate her boats, of which she has six, all of the best and most perfeet construction; and here we may remark that daring the passage boat-drill has constantly been kept up, and had any necessity for their aid existed they would have been lowered without the slightest difficulty. Telegraphic communication from the bridge to the engine-room is also provided, and Douglas’ patent lowering gear is fitted to each boat. In the alley-ways nnder the flying bridge are quar. ters for the officers, the whole of whom have separate rooms with the rank on each, the purser (our old friend Mr Miller) having an office attached to his state-room. Butcher, bakers, and vegetable shops are also found here, together with a most complete cooking galley, fitted with steam condensers, boilers, and every possible appliance for the use of the cook and his assistants: while right forward is the compartment allotted to the steerage passengers, and most comfortable it is, being capable of accommodating 80 persons, the females having a special cabin devoted to their use. This part of the ship is well lit ond ventilated, and ft all that oonld possibly be desired.. The engine-room is a model of its kind, and, judging from its appearance, a stranger would not imagine the vessel had just come off a long voyage, so thoroughly in order is it. The engines themselves are certainly the handsomest of the kind, and were constructed by Messrs Denny and Co. of Dumbarton. Mr M'Canag, the chief engineer, gives the following description of them:-They are compound, direct acting, surface condensing, and with Inverted cylinders. These are of the following diameters High! pressure, 47in; low pressure, 82in respectively, with a Stroke of 4ft each. The nominal horse-power is 450, and the indicated 8000. The diameter of the crank-shaft is Utfn, and that of the propeller, which is fitted with four roversable blades (14i): it also possesses a variable pitch, and is capable of being altered from 20ft 6in to 22ft 6in, its present pitch being 21ft 6in. The diameter of the propeller is 14ft 6in. She is fitted with an extra large sized condenser containing 1659 tubes, each | of an inch diameter and 13ft 2in long, the condensing surface being equal to 4321 ft. Weir’s patent feed beaters are in use, and they lift the water from the condenser to the boilers at a heat of 220 degrees. She also possesses Brown’s patent steam and hvdrauiio starting gear, one of the most useful inventions known, and which Mr M’Cansg states works admirably. The cylinders are • fitted with Buckley’s patent prison springs, and many other recent appliances for securing both speed and safety. There are six boilers, each of 12ft lOin diameter, and 9(t Xin in length. These are heated by 18 furnaces, each of 2ft Ilia diameter and 6tt long ■ they possess 1272 common tabes, and 180 stay tubes of Sin diameter outside. The total lifting surface of the boilers is equal to 8344 square j feet. She has also been fitted with Weir's patent i hydronikniters for circulating water through her boilers at a given heat whUe getting up steam. The steering gear Is Muir ■ and CaldweU s patent silent gesr.andis driven by a special engine; while on; deck there are three donkey engines, one of which pumps a supnly of water to the saloon, state-rooms and baths; another supplies the deck condenser, which makes 40 gallons of freshwateranhour, and: the third is for washing docks. &o. Notwithstanding the speed attained by the Botomahana, she Is far from an expensive vessel in the consumption of coal, a speed of 15J knots an hour being kept up upon a dally consumption of 45 tons, while a speed of 13 knots was registered on a consumption of 25 tons, with only four boilers in use. The petty officers and ship’s company ate well provided for forward, excellent quarters being fitted up for them nHar the top-gallant forecastle. The after, pan of the ship is, of course, devoted to the Comfort of passengers, and although the Union Company are noted for the taste and elegance with which their vessels are fitted, the Botomahana completely; eclipses the'whole of them. Her saloon is fitted to accommodate 141 passengers, and is of the most rioUrehi and elegant construction. Bird s-eye maple, satlnwood, gold mouldings, and rosewood and gold pillars ore all used in decorating the aides of the saloon, which Is 120 ft long; lofty skylights ■lva light and assist the ventilation, while a prolusion of ferns and pot flowers leads ons to supposs that she is fitted with a conservatory; soft carpets cover the deck, and comfortable lounges covered 'with crimson velvet everywhere invite to rest and repose. Her treason Is equally well fitted np, and the whole saloon is splendidly lit by silver lamps, suspended to silver rods running the whole length of'the cabin. At the side' of the main saloon ore a number of sleeping berths, which extend in two long alleys forward, each state-room bsing exquisitely fitted up, and intended to accommodate only two percent. A tastefully, fitted room is the ladies’ boudoir, with its hand. C Anted panels, white and gold ornaments, mirror, mp, end other little etceteras; while additional oomfort Is provided in the shape of a number of well-appointed bathroom*, botix for ladles and gentlemen. , The chief steward. Hr M’Niool (formerly of the Wahatipu). hasevery facility for supplying the wants of those under ha charge, a Splendid pantry being fitted up , just outside the saloon; white pneumatic bells summon the attendants whenever they are required. Just at the top of the companion-way is the social hali, which opens out on deck, and te lit by a pretty cupola. apartment la luxuriously fitted w.th lamps, minor, and an excellent piano. .Abaft this again Is what is termed the " bridal chamber’’--a roomy Jtito qabin, tastefully and comfortably fitted up ; Sole further aft the oomfort ofthose who love the “nicotian weed", has been atep A neot little room, paved with encaustic tiles, and fitted With excellent seats, has been devoted te the w ho. by tooonipg a knob near the door, can an attendant at a moment* 1 It is hardly £*AMBaffr to Bay that Captain Undepropd iB pleajtd with hia new command* He la enthnaiaatio Im her

pra(**,and UkM pleasure in pointing ont bar many exoeUeaol«», aal ao thoroa*h!y »a«*fled with her i*he, tUathe*Ute**lie i» a* eaeily handled a* a Mat, her *ea-*oln(r qualities are all that could be wi hsd, and she i« in every respect quite Up to bis expectation*. Shortly after her arrival yesterday ft! number of gentlemen assembled In the mein etloon, including Mvinre H. Tewsiey. H. M'Weil. J. Kill*, Certain Uonn, end ot*i<Kg ; and Kr Tewvley (*rbo had been over the ship) proposed prosperity to the Kotonuhana aud houlth to Captain tlndc. wood, The toast wo* drank in' bumper* of chain pa*nc, and sopropri itoly responded to h y the captain. The Botomahana bring* 2 0 tone of Cargo, t 5 passenger* from London, and 30 from Melbour e for thia port, betide* a large number of other* from the North. St,e left Plymouth, at d. p.m., on Au<ugt 9.. The follawicg are the officer* of the Betomahftnftj— Captain—T. Underwood Ist.Offio-.r—Mr C. A. Parson* Purser—Mr L. 0. Miller 2nd Officer—Mr T. Popham 3rd „ —Mr Hutherland 4th „ -Mr G. Todd lat Engine »r—Mr M'Caaag 2nd „ —Mr Cullen 3rd „ McLeilie 4th ~ —Mr Mftcalliitcr