LAUNCH OF AN IRON STEAMER.

Manawatu Herald, Volume 1, Issue 26, 22 November 1878, Page 2

LAUNCH OF AN IRON STEAMER.

A short time ago we referred in detail to a fine iron screw-steamer that Mr Yeoman, engineer, of this city, was building to the order of \Jr Seugcr, of Wellington, and th» ■work lius progressed so far that it was de« tennined to launch the vessel yesterday. At the time appointed thero was a large attendance of the public in the builder's yard and on the reclaimed land adjoining, and at 8.30 a.m the word was given that everything was in readines-s, the chocks were removed, and, ns the vessel began to move down the -nays, Miss Yeoman, the daughter of the builder, in tho orthodox manner, christened her " Huia." The dimensions of the vessel are — 112 feet on the keel, 120 feet over-all, beam 16 feet, depth of hold 8 feet. She will be driven by a pair of compound engines of 25 nominal horse-power, constructed by Messrs Maso* field and I 0., engineers, of this cit y. W hen fully provisioned and equipped for sea Bhe will draw 7 feet of water aft and 5 feet forward, and is therefore, in this respect, well adapted for the Wellington and Wanganui trade, for which she is intended. The principal saloon is situated midships, and will hnve bleeping accommodation for 20 passengers, while the ladies' department will be provided aft far about a dozen. J s the engineers are now putting on board the machinery, it is expected sho will sooa be ready for the trial trip, when we shall rcf«r more particularly to tho class of machinery and the general outfit of the vessel.— New Zealand Herald, 14th instant.