THE N.Z. SHIPPING COMPANY'S STEAM FLEET.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XX, Issue 6813, 18 September 1883, Page 5

THE N.Z. SHIPPING COMPANY'S STEAM FLEET.

THE STEAMER TONGARIRO. [FKOM OtJK LONDON COKREjFOXuBNT.] London, August 9. The first < f the steel steamers which Messrs. John Elder and Company, of Glasgow, are building for the New Zealand Shipping Company, will be launched about the 25th instant, and will be named the Tongariro. A sister boat, by the same builders (who it may be remembered built the celebrated Atlantic liners Arizoaa and Alaska, the latter " the greyhound of the Atlantic"), will be ready for launching in about six weeks or two months. The Tongariro will probably be fitted in about two months, and will sail in November. These fine steamers have been specially designed for the New Zealand trade, and they resemble ia many particulars the Donald Currie line of mail steamers to the Cape. The dimensionsof the Tongariro (which will be of the highest class at Lloyds) are :— LeDgth, 355 feet; breadth, 46 feet; depth, 33 feet, and gross registered tonnage, about 4300 tons. Her engines are of the most modern type, aijd are capable of propelling her at the rate ot 14 knots per hour. The crank and thrust shafts are of steel, while the blades of the propeller are of manganese bronze. Tiie dead weight capacity of the steamer will be over 4500 tons, whilst tho measurement space is very large. The first cabin is situated abaft the funnel and atbwartship. It will seat 100 passengrrs. It will be panelled in walnut, satin wood, and ebony. Between the funnel and the dining-saloon, the first cabin sleeping berths will be placed amidships. Baths, lavatories, &c, will be amply provided. Ladies' saloon, music saloon, smoking and lounging saloons, will all be artistically decorated and suitably upholstered and furnished. The second saloon will seat 60 passengers. The berths are so placed, that the first-class and second-class accommodation can be increased according as there is a greater or less demand for either class. The steerage accommodation is right forward on the main deck. Three hundred passengers of this class cau be taken. Their quarters will be comfortably fitted, and will be well ventilated and lighted. The accommodation for the crew aud firemen will be of a superior description. The Tongariro and her sister 3hipj will be fitted with Haslem'B refrigerating apparatus, aud it is intended to light the saloons and holds with electric lamps. On deck there will be a poop deck 65 feet long, and a hurricane deck. The steamer, it is believed, will be second to none engaged in the Australian and New Zealand trade.