THE KAWAU STEAMSHIP CO.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XLIV, Issue 13435, 13 March 1907, Page 8

THE KAWAU STEAMSHIP CO.

• A NEW STEAM

A new steamer for the local coastal trade will bo launched from the engineering premises of Messrs. Gibbons.and Harris, Cus-tom-street West,' at nine a.m. on Saturday next. The now vessel is of the following dimensions:—-Length, 110 ft; beam, 21ft; draught, 7ft; and will rate about 150 tons. She lias boon built on the diagonal principle, .the,planking being of the best heart of kauri, tho keel and kelsons being of Australian > hardwood, and the hull \\ sheathed with totara, and all the timbers of extra strength. The hull was designed by Mr. Leu. Harris, the building being entrusted to Mr. W. H. Brown, who has carried out his contract in his usual satisfactory manner, and the steamer has a very pleasing appearance on the stocks. The main deck runs olear fore and aft, and hero arc situated forward* tho main saloon, which is very roomy, with seating accommodation for 2A passengers at two tables. The upholstery is of marquette, and on the floor is asbestos linoleum. Just aft of this is the engineroom and the cabins of the chief officer and chief engineer. The ladies' cabin is situated aft, and is also roomy arid comfortable, with seating accommodation for 12 passengers and sleeping quarters for a similar number, tho bunks being all fitted with wire. mattresses and the cabin fitted with all the necessary lavatory conveniences. All the. deckhouses are painted white and give the steamer a very smart appearance, the ceilings being all picked out in pink zinc. Off the main saloon is the pantry on one side and tbo bar on the other. Over the ladies' saloon is a very strongly-constructed awning deck, fitted with seats for the convenience of the passengers, also trie captain's quarters and tho whoolhouse. Below the ladies'' saloon is a smokingroom, with the staterooms for male passengers fitted up in firstrate style. The electric light is installed throughout the vessel, with electric bells, etc. One feature, which is a great advantage in the steamer, is the absence of all alleyways,, there being a clear promenade right round from forward and aft. Ail Hie fittings and accessories are of the very best that could be purchased, and no expense has been spared in the endeavour to bring the new steamer thoroughly up-to-date in every particular. The engines are of the compound surfacecondensing type, 15 by 31 by 21, the boiler pressure being 1201b, and a speed of 11 knots per hour is confidently expected. The engines and all tho necessary gear are the work of Messrs. Gibbons and Harris. Tho steamer will bo able to carry .about' 500 . passengers during excursion times within the river limits, and her cargo-car-ing capacity will bo about 140 tons. The vessel is to be named the Daphne, after the daughter of Mr, Farmer, the owner of Kawau Island, and is owned by tbo Kawau Steamship Company, and is intended to run between Auckland, Waiwera, and Kawau.

Mr. Harris (the designer), Mr. W. H. Brown (the builder), and MessS. Gibbons and Harris are to be congratulated upon turning out such a fine steamer, which will, no doubt, be a credit to tho port of Auokalnd.