TRIAL TRIP OF THE. LIGHT DRAUGHT STERN-WHEEL STEAMER WAIHOU.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XVIII, Issue 6052, 11 April 1881, Page 4

TRIAL TRIP OF THE. LIGHT DRAUGHT STERN-WHEEL STEAMER WAIHOU.

Shortly after 1 o'clock on Saturday last, the Waihou, built by Messrs. Fraaer and Xinne, left the building yard wharf, Mechanics' Bay, with several gentlemen on board, amongst them being Mr, Jameß Mills (manager for the

Union Steam Shipping Company), Captain A. McGregor, Mr. Lodder (manager Auckland .Steamship Company), Mr. Heath (secretary Waikato Coal Company). After getting safely out of the opening, she proceeded down the harbour, making a circuit of the virious beautiful bays, keeping close in shore, and after cruising about for an hour and a-half, she went up the hirbour to the Queen-street Wharf, and landed some of the passengers who had other engagements, after which she had a further run for about two hours, everything working smoothly and satisfactorily, and the weather being beautiful, the trip was exceedingly pleasant. The vessel is 65 feet long, with the paddle wheel, 10 feet diameter, abaft, making a total length of about 78 feet by 16 feet 6 inches beam, and 3 feet 6 inches in depth. She is built of iron, and her bottom ia perfectly flat, and covered with planking two inoheß thick, which makes it safer in the case of snags. Her bow is of the scow shape, made so, to pass over the water. She has ten water-tight compartments, and it is so arranged that they can be pumped out with the donkey engine. The paddle-wheel is driven by a pair of-horizontal engines with gearing, the pinion on the engine shaft is onesixth the size of the spur wheel on the paddle shuft. The engines wore working about 200 revolutions per minute, and the paddle-wheel about 33 revolutions, the vessel going about 7 miles per hour, which speed will no doubt be increased, when the machinery gets over the stiffness usual with all new machinery. The boiler is of the locomotive type, and extra largo for the engines, making any quantity of steam with little fuel. It is neatly covered with cedar and fastened with brass bands, and has a neat little donkey-engine fastened on the side, as well as an injector for feediDg the boiler and emptying the compartments. It is placed well forward in the vessel. The steering wheel is within 8 feet of the bow. The engines are entirely under the control of the captain, the starting gear being alongside of tho steering wheel. The firing end of the boiler is immediately behind him, and in a case of emergency he could fire the boiler. The draft of water, with coal and water on board, is 2 feet aft and I foot 8 inches forward, and with about 15 tons of cargo she will draw about 2 feet. She is capable of carrying about 25 tons of cargo, and ia fitted with accommodation for the crew, a steward's pantry, a galley with a good cooking-stove, and other necessary accommodation, all neatly closed in aft. She is covered in the entire length, with a roof supported on light iron pillars, the rafters or beams being made of light angle iron, and neatly covered with planedtongued and grooved light boarding, and covered with canvas painted. Her carrying capacity is all on deck. She has opening in the bulwarks II feet wide, to admit of taking carts or thrashi ing machines, &c, on board. She can be covered in entirely by letting down the canvas on the sides, which can be snugly secured over the rail. Altogether, the Waihou seems to be just what is required for the river trade. She is quite different to anything at present plying in Auckland, and should prove a very pleasant passenger boat. The covering extends overhead all the way, and affords ample protection from rain or the sun's glare, whilst there is all tho advantage pertaining to the deck, affording full scope for viewing the scenery, besides avoiding the stifling atmosphere so frequently oppressive even in well fitted up saloons. The facilities for loading and unloading cargo could not be surpassed. There will be no necessity for stowing goods away by means of tackle and. derricks. The Waihou will be able to go alongside the riverbank and have bales of wool, cases of fruit, or any kind goods rolled or carried on board in a few minutes, and proceed on her voyage. We cannot imagine anything handier in this respect. She departs for her destination at an early date, and will run in conjunction with the Rotomahana. It would be impossible for any snag to i seriously injure her, as there are some dozen water-tight compartments, so that if a snag should penerate her bottom—a very improbable contingency, the effect would scarcely be appreciable. It is to be hoped that Messrs. Fraser andTinne's plucky and novel enterprise will be crowned with success, taking the farm of handsome profits.