THE STEAMSHIP GOTHENBURG.

Otago Daily Times, Issue 184, 30 June 1862, Page 4

THE STEAMSHIP GOTHENBURG.

Since her arrival at Port Chalmers, this new addition to Messrs: M'Meckan and Blackwood's fleet of steamers has been insnected by numerous visitors, nnd has elicited the admiration of all by her proportions, and her ample accommodation for passengers and cargo. Until time permits .for ■ a more lengthy description of the vessel, wa quote from the Melbourne Argus the following account of her trial trip in Hobson's Bay, which contains also particulars ot her dimensions and fittings : — " On Saturday last, a numerous party of gentlemen interested in tlie trade between Victoria and New Zealand (including strangers from the ratter), met on "board tbe steamship Gothenburg, by tbe invitation of her owners, Messrs. M'Meckan, Blackwood, and Co., for tin trial trip of this latest addition'to the iron steam merchant fleet of Melbourne. The Gothen-burg,-if will be recollected, arrived only a few days ago from London, after a somewhat protracted passage. Since then she has been discharged of a large cargo, jt'akeiion the patent slip to scrape and paint her hull, ship her propeller, and prepare for the Otago aiid Melbourne trade, in which she is hereafter lo be employed. The of-the ship, therefore, has necessarily.! been hurried, and her trial trip was maile under every disadvantage. It is sufficient on this head to say that die was seven feet deep by the stein and that being so much out of trim, it wasnot expected that her full steaming capacity would "be determined. The result of the short cruise, however, was sufficient to show that a very fast and fine sea-going steomerhas been secured for this colony, and one which will do her spirited owners credit. The guests found the Gothenburg lyine; alongside the Railway Piir, at Saudridge, with colours flying and steam up, and about one o'clock she was cast off- from the wharf and under way. It was intended to round the Swan Spit lightship, ancl between the lightship offGillibrand's Point and the Swan Spit, the Gothenburg was timed both out and in. A smart southeasterly breeze was blowing, biit witb this disadvantage the distance between the two light ships—which is between twenty-one-ancl twenty-two nautical miles —was'done in two hours aud eight minutes on the outward run, and two hours and three- ininutes on the return. This was ascertained to be only a -few minutes more than the time occupied by the Aldinga on hor first rim over the same ground, a fact whicli speaks well for tbe new ship. Au elegant cold collation was "provide.! on board—there was no stint to the hospitality of Alessrs. .M'Meckan," Blackwood, and Co.,—and success to the owners, the ship, and the colonies wliich she is to assist in connecting in bonds of trade, was duly toasted. The Gothenburg was .built and enKincd-by Mr. Scott Kussell, on the Thames. Her'engines are oscillating, and of 120----horse power. Her burthen is 800 tons, and she can carry sorae'forty or fifty cabin, and some 300 steerage passengers. Jier cabins are unusually large aud lofty, and as they are situated amidships; tbey are likely to be found extremely comfortable at sea. Unlike auy other steamer in the tradd, the Gothenburghas a flush dock, so constructed aa to give great ■strength to tbe ship. - She is commanded by Captain VL-ickie, lately first officer of the Aldinga, who has well' deserved "the promotion in the service which he has now attained. The. mission of the Gothenburg especially, after the trip" on which she etarts on Wednesday next, will be to carry the mails between Melbourne ancl Otago. for wbich her power and speed well adapt her. '.Wo arc glad to understand that she will shortly be followed from England by another steamship which bas been, added to the fine fleet .owned by Messrs, M'Meckan, Blackwood and Oo.'.'y

The steamship Western having completed the ,re.pairs to her machinery, took a turn down tbe Bay yesterday morning in order to test the new work previous to starting.on her trip to Portland and the western ports. Every portion ofthe new work being we'll tried, was found to answer every expectation. She tben steamed alongside the Sandridge Railway wharf, where she embarked her passengers, and left during the afternoon. — Argus, 20th June. ''■■... ■