GOVERNMENT STEAMERS.

New Zealand Times, Volume LXXII, Issue 4565, 17 January 1902, Page 5

GOVERNMENT STEAMERS.

ARRIVAL OF THJi LADY'' ROBERTS AND JANIE'SEDDON. NEW SUBMARINE MINING BOATS. “We have had a rough passage from Greenock, but these boats showed they aro possessed of good sea-going qualities,'" was tilo reply to a query put to Captain Fraser, of tho Lady .Roberts, by one of our representatives as tho steamers were berthed tit tho Wool Wharf yesterday afternoon. “Look round for yourself, and you will find that these steamers are well suited for tho work required of them." Tho boats are small and schooner rigged, and have a smart appearance. They were built for submarine mining purposes by tho British Naval Department, ami handed over.to the New Zealand Government. The vessels are named the Janie Soddon and tho Lady- Roberts', and were constructed by Messrs Fleming and Ferguson, of Paisley. They are both of the same dimensions, the tonnage being 370 tons, engines 3TO-h.p., with 95 feet length by a beam of 18 feet, and depth of hold about 9 feet. Both are built on tho latest designs, and are, to use the words of Captain Fraser, “better than any of their class in the Old Country.” Everything on board is up-to-date, even the winches on the decks are covered with plates to prevent accidents. They are compound twin-screw, surface condensing steamers, are fitted with electric light, and have everything needed for laying down and picking up submarine mines, Tho officers have splendid accommodation, for’--ard, and tho crew are situated aft. On the passage out, tho vessels in ordinary weather steamed 8 V knots, but an- average of 10-| knots can be maintained by them if necessary. 'The Janie Soddon was when leaving Greenock commanded by Captain Robert Fraser, R.N.R., son of the Hon F. FI. Fraser, M.L.C. Captain Fraser was for many years in the New Zealand Shipping Company’s service. Owing to the illness of Captain Moorhouse of tho Lady Roberts, who had to remain behind in Australia, his place was taken by Captain Fraser, and the command of the Janie Seddon was allotted to Mr A. H. Aitken, chief officer. The steamers came via tho Red Sea, having loft the Old Country on 2Sth September. The,y sailed from Albany on tho 26th December for Melbourne, and owing to more adverse weather, had to put into Warrnambool for coal, but arrived at Melbourne on the sth inst. Two days later the passage to Wellington was continued. and flno weather prevailed, till Cape Farewell was sighted. Both vessels passed there at 10.30 a.in. on Wednesday, and later on put into Golden Bay. The vessels resumed the journey at 5.30 p.m. the same day, and arrived in Wellington yesterday afternoon. Tho Janie Seddon will probablv he stationed at Wellington, and the Lady Roberts at Auckland. The officers and crew of both vessels will bo paid off to-dai - or to-morrow.