A MODERN YACHT.

New Zealand Mail, Issue 1264, 21 May 1896, Page 39

A MODERN YACHT.

Glasgow, March 25.

The magnificent steam yacht which Mr Eugeno Higgins, of Now York, is having constructed hero on tho Clyde is now beginning to loom large under the iron roof at Pointhouse shipyard, and her form and proportions can now bo appreciated. Tho building of this vessel has been entrusted to Messrs A. and J. Inglis, one of tho (Idest ot the marine engineering and shipbuilding firms in the west of Scotland, the founder of it, the late Mr Anthony Inglis, having started in business for himself just 24 years after tho debut of the famous steamer Como., on the Clyde. During the period of nearly 60 years which havo elapsed since thou, most of the contemporary firms have been transferred to new companies wholly unconnected by family ties to the men who originated them. INFLUENCED YACHT BUILDING.

Messrs Inglis’ firm has had more influence on yachting and yacht building than is generally supposed. The present senior of the firm is an ardent yachtsman, with a penchant for yacht building as a pastime, and a quarter of a century ago made the first long stride toward all out-

side ballast. Mr G. L. Watson, the wellknown aud highly-successful yacht designer (who is responsible for the design of the Yaruna) received most of his early training at Pointhouse shipyard, where his abilities and industry had full scope and recognition. It may bo confidently predicted, therefore, that the new yacht will be a worthy example of Clyde shipbuilding and uphold the reputation of that now famour river. THE VARUNA’s DIMENSIONS. Tho Yaruna is a vessel of 1100 tons Y.M. Her length on load water line is 260 ft and her greatest breadth 34ft. Her two sets of engines, with four cylinders each, will together develop over 4000 horse power, and her rate of speed will be about 17 knots. When it is desired to put forward her full steaming capabilities the fires will be stimulated by two powerful fans driven by quick running engines. She will bo classed at Lloyd’s to the highest grade, and, indeed, her strength is considerably in excess of Lloyd’s requirements, with Hie view not only of reducing vibration, but also of providing for possible deterioration by corrosion during protracted cruises. CADIN AIIR ANO K ME NTS. The principal apartments are contained under a long bridge deck amidships, which also encloses tho openings to tho engineroom, stone holds, Ac., rendering their invasion by tho sea highly improbable. Tho owner’s stateroom occupies the entire breadth of tho vessel at tho front, or break, of the bridge deck. Other large staterooms, reception room, cloak room and attendants’ room occupy ' tho alleyways alongside of the boiler casing on the starboard side, while on tho larboard, or service, side of the ship aio tho galleys, pantry and other necessary accommodation for tho culinary department. The dining saloon is in tho centre of tho ship, or rather at the part slightly abaft tho centre, where tho pitching motion is least felt. A light passage will enable guests to viow tho working of tho machinery as they pass to tho drawing-room and fencing or recreation room, which looks out on the quarterdeck. Under the main deck aro the crew’s forecastle, tho officers’ quarters, the firemen’s room, tho refrigerating chambers and steward’s storerooms. Abaft tho machinery compartment are rooms for guests and their attendants. OTHER DETAILS. The vessel is lighted throughout by electricity, and is properly supplied with bath-rooms, lavatories, Ac., for all grades of occupants. Tho salle-a-inanger, drawingroom, Ac., will be splendidly fitted up and upholstered from special designs by competent artists and decorators. Her rig, as befits a full powered twinscrew vessel, will bo light, but sufficient to provide for a fair spread ef canvas in tho unlikely event of a disablement of tho machinery.

The boat equipment will bo ample and the accessories of manoeuvring, such as tho steam stearing gear, reversing gear, tidegraphs, windlass and warping capstans, will be of tho most improved designs and elegance of finish. The Yaruna will probably go to sea early in tho autumn of this year, and wo wish Mi Higgins and his friends many pleasant cruises in this luxurious vessel. ENGINEER.