H.M.S. HIMALAYA.

New Zealand Herald, Volume I, Issue 5, 23 November 1863, Page 2

H.M.S. HIMALAYA.

Ix briefly mentioning tlie arrival in Auckland of tills noble ship, in our issue of this day "week, we promised to furnish our readers with a detailed description ot her at a future time. The promise was much more easy to make than its performance to be kept. An ordinary ship may be described frith ready exactitude: by those conversant with nautical mattere; but the Himalaya is not even an extraordinary sliip—she is a complete marvel—a city afloat, of which after a minute, careful, and most interesting survey, in which we were kindly and courteously assisted by the heads of the multifarious departments, we are almost afraid that we shall be able to do little more than pen an outline sketch of her unequalled capabilities. The Himalaya was laid down in the yard of Messrs. Mare, at Blaekwall, in 18c>2, and was constructed from a mixture of designs for the Peruasular and Orientid Company, at a cost of £96,000 for hull, rigging, and engines j the result being the- production of the sweetest, swiftest, and most substantial ship that ever traversed the ocean. She was launched in February, 1853, and her internal accommodations and outfit involved an additional expenditure of some I £11,000. Ko ship can surpass the Himalaya for beauty o£ form : and such is her symmetry that her immense proportions seem from their very beauty to be dwarfed into ordinary (iimensiona; her lines are delicate in the extreme ; she has the least perceptible sheer; and her beam on her splendid flush upper deck is carried handsomely along from knightheaas to tafl'rail. Iron is the dominant material throughout; her frame is of great strength, and her plates vary from an inch in thickness at the bottom to liireequariers of an inch at the topsides, the width being about three feet. After ten years of active and unexampled service, there is no perceptible deterioration in the hull, the ship being quite as perfect as the day she was first set afloat. She is a ship, rigged with patent wire rope ; and as we are descanting upon her bodily form and pressure, we may as well conclude that portion of our description beforj. we pass on board. With this brief mention of her external hull, let us proceed to notice the appearance of her rig. She is splendidly sparred. Her masts are admirably placed, aud they are stayed and flemished down just as they should be. In a ship of 375 feet- length, the proper position of her three masts is a matter of some con- i sideration, and as far as the eye enables us to judge, the position of the Himalaya's has been calculated to a nicety. There is one singularity about her lower masts, and that is that.the foremast is considerably longer from head to heel than the mainmast; tliis

owing to the foremast being stepped on the kelson, whilst the heel of tL.e mainmast is of necessity received into a strongly secured iron shoe placed above the screw passage The extreme length of the mainmast is 87 feet 3 inches; from deck to lower side of tressel trees, 5G feet 3 inche3; housing, from heel to deck, 1G feet G inches, head 14 feet 6 inches : — Main topmast, 51 feet; main top gallant mast, 2}■ feet 2 inches; pole, 16 feet 10 inches. The entire height from the deck to the main truck, allowing for doublings at the mastheads, is 131 feet 3 inches. The length of the foremast, from head to heel, is 99 feet lli inches—3lJ inches diameter; distance between foru and main masts, 250 feet; the fore and main yards measure 80 feet 2 inches, 20 inches diameter; most of the running gear, such as halyards, sheets, &c., arc of chain. Under all plain sail she spreads something like 3600 yards of canvas, thus distributed —courses, 1030 yards; topsails, 920 yards; top gallant sails, 280 yards; royals, 190 yards ; head sails, 160 yards ; spencers, 4-80 yards; driver, 2W yards. She is well found in boat:., there being eleven in all, furnished by the dockyard, vi:--., 4 cutters, 2 pinnaces, 2 life-boats, and 3 gigs. Having carried away her jib boom, it ij about to be replaced by a kauri spar, which we hope she will preserre in memory of the " sensation" vrhich her visit to the antipodes excited. The Himalaya was put in the water at a most propitious moment, as well for the interests of her then owners as for the benefit of the nation. She continued in the service of the P. and O. Co. until the close of 1855—up wards of £00,000 having been paid them for a twelve months' charter. She was then purchased by the British Admiralty for £12G,000, and has again and again demonstrated that she is the most efficient and invaluable ship of her kind ever yet constructed. Her length is 375 feet over all, beam 45 feet 6 inches, depth 3G feet, measures 3500 tons, is divided by 4 water-tight bulkheads, lia3 engines of 700 horse power, draws 19 feet forward, and 20 feet 10 inches aft; her average speed under steam only is 13 knots. The visitor who is not much struck with the external magnitude of the Himalaya is altogether astounded as he steps upon her majestic deck—such a deck we

never trod. Talk of promenades, here is one on which not merely a battalion of infantry, but almost a troop of dragoons might manoeuvre." Abreast of the entrance gangway there is a handsome deek-liouse which serves the double purpose of covering a spacious ! staircase and a comfortable, nay, elegaut, cabin for tire sailing master. On this deck from its forward extremity to its aftermost limits, there are cabins and conveniences of every description. It is on this deck the ship's armament is mounted. It consists of nix medium 32 pounders, plain bore, S feet 6 inches in length, of 25 cwt. She is also supplied with 2 rocket tubes, 12 pounders. There are two engine cranes for taking in and discharging stores and baggage ; one of these is placed on the upper, the other on the main j deck, on which latter there arc four large ports, two i of a side to facilitate such operations ; both are worked by an auxiliary boiler fitted for the express purpose. There is, likewise, an engine for hoisting ashes from the stoke hole to the upper deck ; by this appliance the labour which would occupy thirty men for halt an hour is accomplished in ten minutes. On the forward part of both sides of vile tipper deck there are quite a number apparently of chimney stacks; these, however, are so many powerful ventilators dispensing currents of wholesome air through the troop decks, tlie eugiue room, and every nook and corner of t\us eV.l'oor.Uely divided and sub-partitioned ship :— ventilation is studiously provided in every direction ; 1 and In every cabin pannel, from the saloon to those of the sick-bays, ventilation (without draught) has been I abundantly caved for. I

Cleanliness is one of tlie leading orders of the day. With a superfluity of fresh water dirty linen or soiled clothing would be inexcusable. Between the forecast and the funnel, on both sides of the upper deck are a series of wash houses, furnished with all the requirements a first class laundress ought reasonably to expect ; and attached to these are a range of necessary offices that need not be further described. . The bridge for conning the ship is conveniently and placed, and is fitted with the customary steam whistle, telegraph, and other needful appliances, among which is a contrivance for fixing and sprea-iin" out charts, and protecting them from the effects of wind and rain.

Having made a hasty round of the upper, let us take a tour of the main deck, its many arrangements, J contrivances, and accommodations. " From the foot of the spacious staircase already mentioned, we enter [ the chief saloon, a very fine apartment, fitted in excellent taste, and replete with every convenience. It is 100 feet by about 30 feet wide, and between 8 aud 9 feet high, double rows of diningtables extending from end to end, and in itji general character, height only excepted, resembling the coffee room of a well appointed club house. In the forward part, are the Captain's and Officer' cabins, (six in number) much superior to those of a line of battle ship ; and in addition to these are ten other cabins, each fitted with three bunks for the reception of military officers. Immediately under the chief is a second saloon, which can be approached from the upper deck forward, or by a staircase placed abaft in the upper saloon. This is also a well arranged, well ventilated, and well lighted apartment, but it is only in fine weather that the scuttles can be opened. The Engineers' Mess Cabin, may be said to constitute a- part of the lower saloon. It is a commodious apartmont of great height, well ventilated, and eighteen feet square. The gentlemen occupying it are Messrs. Richard Biddle, Peter Hutchison, W. H. Sedgwick, J. R. Keay, G. T. Ludlow, Robert Anderson, J. W. Anthony, and W. S. Thompson. The Chief Engineer, who messes with the Captain and i Lieutenants, is Mr. Svmoiis.

Immediately forward, on the same deck, and on the same side as the Engineers' Moss Room, is the Purser's issue room, one of the most important and interesting chambcra of this stupendous ship. Supposing her to have 1300 soldiers, in addition to her ships' company on .board, the following would constitute the main items of daily issue :—I6OO lbs. bread, 20 gallons rum, 150 lbs. sugar, 65 lbs. chocolate, 251bs. tea, llOOlbß. beef, and pork alteruatelv, 5501bs flour, 951bs. plums, 45 gallons split pleas, 481bs. suet, 551bs. lime juice, together with solbs. sugar. 301bs. candles. On leaving port

a three day's supply of fresh meat for all hand can be taken on board. The largest number of troop' ever carried was two battalions of infantry. Close (, T the door of the issue room are the hatchways of the main bold, where 150 day's provision for a thousand men, exclusive of baggage, can be stowed. Treating of provisions, "sve may as well remark, that there are three leviathan galleys, of most approved construction, —one for the saloon, ovie for the troops, and one for the ships' company. The Sick Bays, oe Hospitals, are centrally situated on the main troop deck : they are M-eli arranged, tibat on the starboard rtide being sot apart for soldiers, the other on the port side for sailors. Immediately forward of the Sick Bays, the berthdeck for the skip's company is situated. It is a fine Sight, a;r? spot, wiili ample room and accommodation for all hands. The main troop-deck is of great extent and abundantly furnished with all the requisites for messing i sleeping, arms racks, and the like. The '.ower troo-j----j deck is of a more limited area.. It readies 1 about 3ti feet abaft the foremast forward, the entire i extent being 110 feet. j In the event of carrying a cavalry regiment, a j general rule, their horses would be earned on n IL . } upper deck, although upon occasion they have ! been stabled on the main troop-deck.

| The sail rooms are placed close to the head, imme- [ diately underneath thi lower troop-deck. They are sometimes usei for stowing spare blankets for troops. Abaft the sail rooms is the ship's magazine and shell room, with a magazine for the military ammunition attached. In dose contiguity to the loweF troop-deei, there is a distinct compartment fitted for accommodation of the soldiers' wives nnd children. It has fortyfour bunks, and itwo large L'jnps are kept burning from sunset to sunrise. To give some slight idea of the performsjices of the Himalaya, we may here state that last voyage she conveyed the 96th regiment from England to theCape, where she embarked the 13th light infantry, whom she landed at the Mauritius; moved a battalion, (the sth) regiment from Mauritius, to the Cape, where they debarked. Took on board another regiment (the 85th) at the Cape, landing them in England, and accomplishing her voyage, with its fourfold embarkations and debarkations, in the brief space of three months and fourteen days. The distance run during twelve months from her leaving home was 45,000 miles.

We eome now to that part of the iihip—her engines and engine gear, ia which, nautically speaking, we find ourselves least at home. We have already said that her engines are of 700 horse power, bat they arc capable of being worked tip to 2500. Thev wei-e made by Penn, of Greenwich, but were reconstructed in Devonport Dock Yard in IS6-. She has four tubular boilers, containing 397G tubes of 2? inches diameter, with 24 furnaces ; the weight of the boilers without water is 170 tons, the weight of the engines being 120 tons, or together 290 tons. Thev avu the lightest, strongest, and do the most work of any afloat. And it is a contrast worth notice that the enjrines and boilers of this giant ship of 3500 tons weigh less by 60 tons than those of the Pelorus of 1464 tons, -100 horse power, which were of 350 tons weight. The Engine Room of the Himalaya is a perfect factory. • Its dimensions are 2£ feet in length, by 40 feet in width, and from the platform to the upper deck the height is " prodigious." Treating of the principal engine—the propelling power—which is of the kind called direct acting trunk engine, the diameter of the trunk is 32 inches, length of stroke 42 inches, cylinder 8i inches; the propeller is 18 feet- diai.ieter, its pitch 28 feet, and weight 15 tons. ."Notwithstanding her incessant employment, her present boilers have been in use for five vears and three months.

The engine room is the centre of a labyrinth of curiosities, being studded with forges, benches, and workshops of various sorts and degrees. Perhaps the most remarkable part is the screw alley or passage through which the shaft is led from the engine to the stern-post. This passage is 5 feet 6 inches wide, 7 feet 8 inches high, and 105 feet long, from the entrance to the after part of the ship; so that viewing the lights of the firemen, and especially of the one furthest oS", a tolerably good idea of the Thames Tunnel may be formed. The screw shaft which passes through this alley is in five lengths, strongly jointed; they are 13r inches diameter, making together a length of 120 feet, independently of '.he engine shaft. On either side of this passage are quantities of spare gear, with lockers for 5,2001t5. tallow, 1,140 gallons oil, and other essentials; and the beauty of the thing is this, that all this immense stowage is searcely perceptible. Here also arc placed a range of steam pipes, which enter the several compartments at the bottom, and are made instrumental in extinguishing fire. The kelson is S feet underneath screw alier.

The stoke hole is 55 feet in length, 10 feet in breadth, and is thoroughly lighted and admirably ventilated from the upper deck—the temperature In the tropics averaging about 115 °, and about 100 ° in ordinary latitudes. There are forty firemen, six of the leading ones rating as petty officers, the others as A.B's, but with a larger amount of pay. The bunkers stow 1075 tons of coal; she has never carried above this quantity, but an additional 500 tons mig hn be put into the hold. The consumption of fuel" at; full speed is 90 tons, at ten knots -15 tons per diem. The expenditure of fuel under steam alone amounts to 465 lbs. per mile, under steam and canvas 320 lbs. She has tanks for a supply of 150 tons of water; and by means of her condensers can distil -40 tons of pure water in the twenty-four hours—lib. of coal bein" estimated to convert 181bs. cf water. The expenditure of water, with troops on board, is from 10 to la tons a dar.

Independently of the driving engine there are tlfree others, one of which in the event of fire would llirow water to any part of the ship ; but in case of tiro breaking out in any of the watertight coinpartnw-iite, the pipes of which we have spoken in Screw Allev, are so fitted that steam instead of water would be thrown upon the flames. The second engine is used for keeping the boilers full when the sliip's engines are not going. This engine likewise pumps a stream of water to assist in distillation of the fresh water i supply. The ftnrd engine is solely for suppVyin* the auxiliary boiler with water. * ° Wd hare now endeavoured to convey to our readers some slight idea of the stupendous and multifarious appliances of this unequalled ship. I Lengthened as our description has been, we fear that it is still but an imperfect sketch. If it be so, flic fault is ours, for never were officers of all ranks more courteous and considerate, evincing the most kindly desire to enlighten us on every particular. The ship having been thrown open to public inspection, we feel well assured that all thev 7°,, k . e au interest in the naval supremacy of Britain to profit by the unexpected opportunity of paying a visit to one of the grandest examolcs of British naval architecture. Thev will beliolu a ship such as never before ruffled our southern waters. They will view, in these days of iron dwellings and iron storehouses, an iron city" afloat. Thev wSI be apt, like a nautical friend of ours, to life up'their hands in astonishment, and perhaps, like him, to exclaim, <l \Ve\\\ none but an omnipotent maritime nation could • coneeivc or execute sue!; a sliip!" The Himalaya is indeed a marvel, of matchless beauty and power; and it is one not the least gratifymg of the episodes of our colonial career, that we have been permitted the opportunity of enjoying tho long dormant desire of making her acquaintance.