NEW TURBINE STEAMER

New Zealand Times, Volume XXVII, Issue 5736, 3 November 1905, Page 3

NEW TURBINE STEAMER

TRIAL TRIP OF THE MAHENO. DESCRIPTION OF THE VESSEL. (From Our Special Correspondent.) LONDON, September 30. Yesterday, on tho invitation of the owners, the Union Steam Ship Company of New Zealand, and the builders, •Messrs William Denny and Bros., Dumbarton, a numerous company attended tho trial trip of the now turbine .steamer Mahono, on tho Clyde. The .Jlahcno is the Union Company's largest passenger vessel, and their second turbine. This company was one of the first to take advantage of the new method of propulsion; their steamer Loongana, which has completed a year’s active service in the most satinfactory manner, was among the very earliest turbine orders received by Messrs Denny. At her lirsb olticiai trial, at full powor, with all boilers in use, the Aiaheno easily attained a mean speed of 17.5 knots, and at tho second trial, which had to bo done with a third or tho boilers shut down, the speed maintained for six hours, as per contract, was IG.-t knots, considerably over tho guarantee. Among tho guests on the trial trip wore Mr and Mrs John Roberts, of Dunedin, Mr ami Mrs C. Roberts, captain and Mrs Cameron, Captain Neville and tho Mmsen Novillo. Tho Mahono is an elaboration of the usual typo ol intercolonial vessels, of which tho Union Company possess so many lino examples. leer dimensions aro—lCfOit by sUlt by 33ft bin moulded, to upper dock, and she has almost a complete shade-duck, with a boat-dock over a largo portion thereof. bim is elaborately fitted out for passengers, of whom sho carries 323 lirst-class, ifti second, and UU third-class. 'the requirements of tho cargo service have nut been neglected, us will be teen Irani iho fact that her trial had to bo carried out with not less man 3UUO tons ol dead-weight on board, wndu it loaned down to her marks she count carry mom than this. Fur iho working of tiro cargo a complete set o. hydraulic gear, by Messrs iirown Bros, ami to., nalmburgh, has been suppliedTho first-class dining-saioon is situated on tho upper-clock ionvard, amt Has tablo-accommocluuou for ninety-eight passengers. Light is obtained by means of largo square opou.ng windows on the sides and fore eud, also from a well in centre of saloon, which is covered by an elliptical dome, nued in uiui stained glass. The framing and decoration

**r inis spacious aptu:iucii& u m iuo classic stylo, trceiy treated, the ‘wood employed being light oak, dull polished. The lights are divided into bays by lonic pilasters, which are surmounted by spandrilled arches and frieze, all of winch is much cniianced by a re-

strained use ol good carving. Ino background is narrow vertical reeded work, tinted a soft green, which very successfully emphasises the design. On the lore end of the saloon ist'a Mason and Hamlin organ, with music-cabinets and over-mirror all designed in harmony with the surrounding wood-work. Between tile doors are two handsomely loaded glass-panels; the subjects are marine ip tho.ono and landscape in the other, treated conventionally, the effect being obtained entirely by coloured glass without stained work, and they contribute materially to the artistic olfect of the saloon. The coiling is a design in Annglypta, picked out in colour, and relieved with gold. The upholstery work of seats and chairs is a green-figured raoquetto, curtains and table-covers are in gold, while the carpet ia a rod Wilton. The first-class saloon vestibule is a foozuy piece, the full "wjcltli of tlio ship, and to serve a double purpose is fitted with tables, chairs, otc._, which enables it to act the part of overflow dining saloon. It is framed m walnut of a simple yet effective design; and the 'panels are in beautifully-figured fia/tinwood. The frieze is n dccoiated Anaglypta, and the ceiling is in pine, panelled, painted, and decorated with gold. ~ , . The first-class music saloon, which is situated in the forward deek-housc, on the shade dock, is a spacious and lofty apartment, designed in the “ Adams otyle, and finished in ivory white, the ■ornament being in compo relief work and carving. It is well lighted by .square windows on three sides, and by a massive skylight filled in with richlyotained glads. Spring settees, covered all over with gold figured tapestry, supplant the customary sofa seat, thus imparting a more home-like and less stiff ajjpeax’anco than is usually met with in ship decoration. One or two special features to be noted in the music-room are a grand piano, in dark mahogany; cosy corners partly screened off from view, ■well appointed writing-desks and chairs, also in dark mahogany; tho handsome ■coiling and frieze in Tynecastlo tapestry, the former of teakwood, to provide ■against warping, etc., and the upper panels, with their filling of delicate gold silk tapestry of appropriate design. Tho carpet is a Wilton in old gold shades, and tho window' curtains in a similar tone in silk. The general impression of this saloon is that of refinement and comfort, with pleasing harmony both in stylo and colouring throughout.

The first-class smoke-room is perhaps tho most effective apartment in the ship, by reason of its loftiness, size, and railway carriage dome roof. It is framed throughout in an Indian wood, resembling old Spanish mahogany in its figure, and is of free, classic design, simply treated, the panelling being diamond shape and fielded. The dome roof is covered with a high relief Anaglypta, suitably decorated in light shades. Underneath the spring of dome, running fore and aft, is a clerestory tier of lights, tastefully leaded in coloured glass, which, with large square windows, gives ample light. A fine frieze of classical galleys is decorated in harmony with tho ceiling. In addition to tho sofa seats are basket chairs, comfortably upholstered, while everything incidental to the smokers’ comfort and luxury is provided. The bar, which opens to the smoke-room, and tho adjoining staircase, are in every respect similar to that apartment. Tho floor is of rubber tiling, the upholstery moquotte, and tho blinds tapestry, the colouring of which has been studied with that of the woodwork. While there is nothing highly ornate in tho smoke-room, tho designer relying chiefly on its dimensions and shape, tho rich figure Of tho wood and on a simple and restrained conception for effect, tho result is in every sense most satisfactory. Tho ladies’ retiring and cloak-room ■first-class) aro arranged on the main, upper, and shade deck, the one on tho ’.inner deck is in white enamel; the others, which are most artistic apartments, are in panelled sycamore, the panels being hand-painted a dainty Japanese design of apple blossom spray, and birds. The furniture includes dressing-table, ( marble-topped wash-

stand, and pier glass, all in polished sycamore. Sofa scats arc covered in green tapestry, with fleur-de-lis pattern, while the Wilton carpet and silk curtains are on suite. Ceilings aro in nine, decorated in colour and gold. The vestibule and staircase in communication with these rooms are in light oak, dull polished. On the main deck a roomy childrens’ mess-room is arranged. It is in white enamel, with mahogany furniture. Tho second-class dining saloon is situated on tho upper deck aft, and is a commodious and airy apartment. Tables aro arranged to dine sixty-four, and by moans of hinging backs to sofa scats, sixteen sleeping berths can bo provided. The framing is in pine, white enamelled, divided by walnut pilasters, frieze, and cornice. Tho furniture, including two large sideboards, is in light ash, and is upholstered in blue carriage cloth, while a handsome by Chappell, of London, together with neat music cabinets and duet stool, all in solid walnut, enhance the appearance, and contribute to the pleasure of the passengers in this portion at the vessel. A large bar and pantry, fully equipped, arc in dose proximity.

The second-class smoke-room and ladies’ deck saloon aro on the shade deck aft. They are similarly panelled in ! a simple design with cedar wood, clear polished. Sofa seats are of the hingeup pattern, and upholstered in bluo carriage cloth. • They are well lighted, roomy, and comfortable, and altogether the accommodation for the second-class missengor is of a high order. Thirdclass passengers are placed on the main deck aft. The saloon is framed in pine, finished white enamel. Tables and other furniture, together with settees, are in mahogany. The upholstery is bluo carriage cloth. A pantry, bathroom, and sufficient lavatory accommodation aro all in connection with the saloon, while adjoining, and finished in a similar manner is an apartment set aside for a limited number of ladies. The first-class state-rooms, which are arranged for two, three, and four passengers, and which are practically similar to the second and third-class, are very elaborately fitted out, having folding berths by Messrs Hoskins, folding lavatories by the builders; folding netting racks, sponge racks, a special number of hat, coat, and watch hooks, and in all special state-rooms and ladies’ rooms, long bevelled mirrors framed in polished hardwood. Each state-room has, in addition, Captain Cameron’s patent berth ladders and lifebelt racks, the latter a ' great improvement udoii tlie ordinary .method of fixing tho life-saving i appliance,s. The boats aro very ample in number, viz., one steam launch, eight lifeboats, one cutter, one dinghy, and two Berthon boats. Tho boats are carried upon Cameron’s improved patent dropping chocks.

Tho cooking and serving arrangements are of a very high-class order, both galley and pantry having been fitted-by Mesa -s John Phillips and Co., of Glasgow, with the necessary ranges, potato-steamers, Bain-Marie pans, grills, hot presses, etc., etc. Tho vessel is propelled by a set of Parsons patent turbines, constructed by Messrs Denny and Company, of Dumbarton. There are three turbines, one high and two low-pressure, working three shafts, with three propellers in all. Tho condensers are placed fore and aft, at the side of tho turbines. Steam is supplied by four cylindrical tubular boilers, two double ended and two single, and a working pressure of 1501 b per square inch, and fitted with Howden’s system of forced draught. The go-astern turbines are contained within the lew-prossure, and work on tho wing shafts. The reversing gear is particularly well arranged, tho whole of tho engines being easily controlled by one engineer, Tho auxiliary machinery is very complete, and consists of an air

and circulating pumps to each main condenser, each set consists of two Edwards's air-pumps and one centrifugal pump, driven by simple two-cylinder engines; two Weir’s feed pumps, auxiliary condenser with necessary numps, two largo duplex pumps for bilge and ballast purposes, a Caird and Uaynor distiller, and a vertical duplex wash-deck and fire-engine, suitable for working See’s ash ejector; sanitary pump, steward’s pump, water service pump, oil pumps, etc.