TRIAL TRIP OF THE NEW FERRY STEAMER VICTORIA.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XVIII, Issue 6272, 23 December 1881, Page 6

TRIAL TRIP OF THE NEW FERRY STEAMER VICTORIA.

The official trill trip of the new ferry steamer Victoria, which has been built by Mr. Charles Bailey to the order of the Devonport Ferry Company, took plnce yesterday. The vessel is not yet out of the hands of the workmen, who were busily employed during the trip ; but it is expected she will be sufficiently advanced to run throughout the holidays, and thus help to meet the requirements of the ferry service at that period. After the holidays the npholstering, painting, graining, and decorations of the saloons will be completed. According to the conditions of the contract, the company have a period of thirty daya within which to make the company's trial trip to ascertain that she can fairly make the speed guaranteed by the builder—namely, 12 miles per hour. The steamer left the wharf about noon with a number of gentlemen on board. Amongst those present were Messrs. Ewan Alison (Chairman of Directors of the Devonport Ferry Company), K. M. Stark, C. Quick, and Philcox (director-), B. Tanner (secretary), J. Brown (surveyor to the company), C. Bailey (the builder of the vessel), George Frnser (of the firm of Fraser and Tinne), G. Fraser, jun. (manufacturers and designer respectively of the engines), J. Jobson (District Inspector of Machinery), W. Lodder (Manager Knipura Steam Navigation Company), Bydder (late Chief Engineer, R.N.), G. Von der Hejde, D. Gouk, Malcolm Niccol, J. Howden, Anderson (of the Auckland Grammar School), C. Hooker, and Gardiner. After taking a turn or two up and down the harbour, the Victoria was placed upon the measured nautical mile, North Shore, the conditions being very favourable for a fair test, tho wind (a good westerly breeze) being fair and the tide against her on the down trip, and vice versa on the up trip. The first run was doL-o in 5 minutes 3L seconds, the time being taken by Mr. Hodden's chronograph; aud the second run in 5 minutes 41 seconds, the wind proving stronger against her than the tiile, iu her favour on that run, by 10 seconds. Taking the mean aa 5 minutes 3G seconds, this is equal to 11 and l-sth knots, or about 13 miles an hour. At dead slow she went about 9 miles an hour. Daring tho trials the machinery was found to work easily, noue of the beatings being heated. The preisare of steam was 951bs. to the square inch, and the revolutions 43 per minute. Mr. Jobson expressed himself highly satisfied with tho result, aud said the engines of the Victoria he regarded rb one of the best jobs ho had seen turned out in the colony. Mr. Stark, one of the managing directors of the company, and a practical engineer, stationed himself in the engine room during the trials in order to be thoroughly assured of the boat's capabilities and performance. On returning to the wharf, the party aiiourned to the saloon, where Mr. R. 11. Stark proposed " The Health of the Builder, Mr. C. Bailey." He considered the boat a splendid buccess, and tbat Air. Bailey had fully justified the confidence of the directors. He must also eoupla with the toast " The Health of Mr. G, Fraier," of the firm of Fraaer and Tinne, for without excellent machinery the builder would be shorn of half his laurels. The toast was honoured with great heartiness. Meesre. Bailey and Fraser thanked the compvuy for the manner in which they had received the toast, aud were pleaied to find that they had given satisfaction, and fulfilled the expec tations of tbe directors. Mr. Alison said he must take the opportunity of congratulating the builder and engineer for what they had turned out that day. On the occasion of the company's trial tiip he would read some communications he bad received as to the design aad calculated speed of the vessel which would amuse them considerably. Mr. Hooker desired also to say a few words. He thought the spectacle they had witnessed that day was a grand tribute to local industry, and to the skill of colonial-born tradesmen. Mr. Bailey (the builder of the vessel), Mr. Fraser, jun. (who designed her engines), Mr. Marks, foreman (who superintended their construcUou), Mr. Oxenhani (fornman to Mr.Bailey, who superintended the construction of the boat), and Mr. Brown (who acted as surveyor for the company), were all naLive born, and served their time to their trades in the colony. While, list of all, their humble servant, who was to put the finishing touch on the steamer with the paiat-brusb. — (laughter) — was also a young colonial.

The company then separated well pleased >vith the day's reaults. The Victoria will prove a great acquisition on the North Shore Ferry serYice. Sbe will carry nearly '00 people according to her certificate. The sens are a speciiliiy, and are far more confor&able than anything hitherto in uso on the line. There are t>7o commodious saloons in addition to tlie accommodations afforded on the hurricane deck, and when these have had their finishinc * 'y-' . from the upholsterer, paio'»£- ._.T' Sue decorator, nothing will be left' to be desired. Everybody connected with her construction and outfit:, as well rs the company whoso property the Victoria w>ll become, have everylcnson to be satisfied w'th her performances yesterday. The vessel's length is }10 feet; 'oreadth of beam, 17 feet; depth amidships, 6 feet; and at the ends 8 feet. The keel in 14 inches by 6 1 inches, of heart of kauri. The main keelson, also of heart of kauri, is 12 by 8, and 4 sister keeko is 9ly 8. The outer stems nre of pohutakawa, and tho inner stems of 12 by 12 totara. The floors are 9by G inches. The bilge stringer, 12 by 4, is fitted on the ends of the floors. The second stringer, 10 by 4, :s fitted above the bilge and bolted through an edge. The third atringer, 9by3, is fitted so as to take the lower deck beams. The top stringers are 12 by 3. AH are of extra length, generally 72 feet. The plankiug of the first and second skins is 9 by 1, crossing the keel diagonally at an angle of 45 degrees. The outer skin from the topside is 6 by 2, at the bilges 9 by 3, and to the bottom 12 by 2. The garboard • i'eak is 12 by 6 taperins to 4 inches on the upper edge, tho next tapering from 4 to 2 inches. Tho garboards are fastened very securely and bolted through with J-'.nch galvanised boUs on account of the gre.it of the machinery which reb!.T there. Thu main deck beams are 9by 9, aud double kneed. The lower deolt beams are G by 4 and G by C, dove-tailed into the sti?igers, and well secured by pohutakawa knees. The upper deck beams are 4 by 4, and dovetailed into the top stringer. The pliinking of the main deck is 6 by 2, ef the lower deck 9 by li, of the huiricane deck 4J by 2. The aponson deck continues round the vessel, and is supported on large iron brackets, thus affording an extensive promenade. There is a rudder at each end of the vessel, inside the stem. Tho main cabin is 33 feet I ing by 17 feet broad. It is intended that it shall be ceiled, and the sides p.inuelled, the whole pointed white and adorned with gold, which should have a very pleasing effect. There are numerous windows, which lift up. The entrance to this cabin- or, more correctly, the saloon—will be from the upper deck, by rue-ns of an elaborate companion-way. The seats are expected to be of crimson plush velvet. The cabin is 2 :;eet below tho level of the main deck. The fore-cabin or smok-ing-room is 26 feet by 17 fett, and contains very comfortable seati fo • lounging. The engines and boiler were supplied by Me -srs. Fraser and Tinne. The engines are on the diagonal principle, non-condensing, with wrought iron framing, so as to unite strength with lightness. Thero are two cylinders 16 inches diameter, with a 3 feet 6 inch stroke, fitted with. link motion. The cylinders are covered with hair folt, which is no.illy cased in cedar. All tho atenm aud feed pipes are made of copper. The boiler is of the locomotive type. It is 17 feet long by 5 feat diameter, tho shell being made of g-pUte, double rivetted fn the longitudinal seams. The rjre-box is large, viz., 5 feet by 5 feet, and stays 4J inch centres, carrying a working pressure of lOOlbs. to tho square inch. It was submitted to a hydraulic test of 2001bs. to the aquaro inch. The boiler is fitted with all the usual mountings, including Adams' patent safety valve. It is covered with hair felt, with wood legging, that again covered with sheet iron. The diameter of the paddle wheel is 14 feet outsido the rim. The engines are 50-horse power nominal, capable of working up to 250-horse power indicated.