THE NORTHERN S.S. CO.'S FLEET.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XXVIII, Issue 8667, 9 September 1891, Page 3

THE NORTHERN S.S. CO.'S FLEET.

THE S.S. OHINEMURI. Yesterday morning there was launched, at the North Shore, the latest addition to the fine fleet of coasting steamers trading under the Northern S.S. Co.'s well known blue and white flag. The new vessel was the s.s. Ohinemun, a screw steamer of about 70 tons register, which is destined for the Thames River trade. The onward steps of progress which have recently been made by this company have been before noted, and one of their biggest strides recently was the purchasing of the steamer Rotomahana and taking up the daily service between here and the Thames with her in conjunction with the s.s. Argyle. As the traffic to Grahamstown and Sliortland had always been connected intimately with the trade to the Thames River settlements and the Ohinemuri district, the Northern S.S. Co, at the same time thought it well to buy out the Thames River Steain Navigation Company, and with the p.s. Te Aroha they until recently maintained intercourse with the Upper Thames. That vessel was found, however, to be too small and unsuitable, and consignees complained concerning damage and delay to goods arising through transhipment at the Thames, so that the company, after solicitations from their supporters and the travelling public, determined to procure a vessel suitable for a direct service from Auckland to Paeroa, with first-class accommodation for both passengers and cargo. The result of this resolution was the steamer built by Mr. W. Holmes and launched yesterday, and there is little doubt but that, when in full running, under the liberal yet practical lines adopted by the N.S.S. Co., she will be greatly appreciated by all who have occasion to travel up the Thames river.

When the appointed hour for the launch arrived yesterday, there was a large assemblage of persons on the beach opposite Mr. W. Holmes's shipbuilding yard, there being considerably more than the ordinary sprinkling of the fair sex. Mr. Holmes had all the necessary arrangements prepared with care, and at 10 o'clock Mrs, D. B. Cruickshank, wife of the chairman of directors of the Northern S.S. Co., took up the orthodox gold-topped bottle that swung bv a broad blue ribbon from the vessel's bow. The " dogs" were knocked away, and as Mrs. Cruickshank named the vessel by dashing the wine over her bows, with the words Good speed to the Ohinemuri," she gathered way and slid gracefully down the ways to the deep water, which she took with a buoyant plunge, and then floated gracefully astern amid the cheers of the bystanders, who one and all admired her full yet shapely lines, easy poise, and graceful sheer. At the invitation of Mr. Ranson, the manager of the Northern S.S. Co., a party of about a score of friends then adjourned to Air. Holmes' residence to toast the new vessel. Mr. Cruickshank said that after the successful manner in which the vessel had been launched, he had great pleasure in asking them to drink " Success to the Ohinemuri," and in expressing the wish that she might ever glide along as she had done that day, aud prove as profitable as she was handsome. Three cheers for the new steamer were heartily given and the toast duly honoured. Mr. Cruickshank then proposed, " The health of the builder, Mr. W. Holmes," paying a deserved tribute to his excellent qualities as a man and a shipbuilder. Mr. Holmes, in replying, said that in his fourteen years of shipbuilding he had always endeavoured to do his duty to his employers and justice to his vessels. Mr. H. C. Tewsley then called 'on all to toast " the Northern S.S. Company," and in a happy little speech referred to the good services which this company, a local concern, had done, and the manner in which it had faithfully " pegged away" under seasons of depression and trial, until now it was in a position to demonstrate its enterprise and pluck by building so valuable a boat for the Thames trad:. He hoped the company would on and prosper." The toast was honoured amidst cheers, and Mr. Cruickshank briefly replied. The Ohinemuri is a screw steamer of about 70 ions net register, and the following measurements : —B7ft on keel, 95ft overall, 18ft beam, and 6ft tiin depth of hold. She is diagonal built of heart of kauri, copper fastened throughout. The vessel is of a fine contour, albeit her lines were specially designed for light draught. Her beam gives her a full appearance at the bow, but at the waterline there is no bluffuess ; the vessel possesses a fine entrance and clean run aft. She is a big carrier for her size, her hold situated forward measuring 38ft by 10ft, and capable of containing about 60 cons deadweight, for the easy operation of which a hatchway 8 by 10, and a powerful steam winch, handly situated, are provided. For trimming purposes the vessel is supplied with a two- tank right forward, and one of similar dimensions aft, which can be utilised for fresh water. The vessel is-to be rigged as a ketch, aud her foremast and spars are specially strong for lifting and carrying heavy weights, as machinery, etc. Her deck space is roomy, and will be provided with I plenty of comfortable seats oil the quarter deck above the main saloon, upon which the bridge and steering gear will be placed. _ Her main _ cabin and dining saloon is situated amidships, being separated by iron bulkheads from the hold and engiue space. It is slightly below the level of the main deck, a handsome teak companion-way leading into it. The apartment is a spacious one for the vessel's size, being 20 feet by 16. It is fitted with a main dining table tore and aft, and around are arranged swing-back berths in a double tier sufficient to accommodate 30 persons. The saloon is well lighted and ventilated by skylight and side ports, and will be finished in light varnish work, while the berths, _ seats, etc., will be upholstered in crimson Utrecht velvet. Abaft on the saloon, under the main deck, is situated .the engine space, and above it a handsome little deckhouse, with lounge 3, tabLes, etc., for a smoking-room, is to be erected, while the galley is close by. An open space of deck aft is broken by the com-panion-way to the ladies' cabin, a cosy room, specially contrived and furnished. It possesses numerous berths, none built too high, and these are cushioned in crimson, and provided with curtains and other tasteful or necessary accessories, while its situation, remote from engines or the chatter of the main saloon, will make it the quiet and comfortable retreat so often desired by lady passengers. The engines of the Ohinemuri are from the atelier of Messrs. G. Fraser and Sons, and have been constructed with great care and under supervision from the Board of Trade authorities. They are compound ones of the sui face-condensing principle, having one high-pressure cylinder, 12in, and one lowpressure of 24in, the length of stroke being lain. Her boiler is a large one, on the tubular principle, and has a working pressure of lOOlbs to the inch. They are to be shipped in a few days, and it is expected that the steamer will be ready to take up her first trip from Auckland to Paeroa before the end of the month.