THE TWIN SCREW STEAMER KENNEDY.

Colonist, Volume VIII, Issue 819, 5 September 1865, Page 2

THE TWIN SCREW STEAMER KENNEDY.

We have to congratulate Nelson shippers upon the fact that before the expiration of the month another coastal steamer will most probably be placed on the berth between Nelson and the We3t, Coast, and greater facilities than have li'therto existed for the transmission of goods and conveyance of passengers to the gold-digging centres of the two provinces will tints be afforded. To many who have known (he want of a ready despatch to a short market, and have felt the vexation of having goods shut out through scarce means of transit, this will prove a most acceptable addition. There is an equally important cause for satisfaction, too, in the fact that the vessel we speak of will belong to this port, being an addition to the increasing fleet of serviceable steamers which Messrs. N. Edwards and Co. have purchased and run for some time, with satisfaction to the public as well as profit to themselves. In addition to this, the business principle upon which this service has been performed and will be maintained by this firm is ono which should act with direct benefit; to our port, inasmuch as they have never charged more than;Gs per ton for freight, while from Sydney or Melbourne direct, vessels to the western ports are subject to heavy after charges, and are probably detained or run considerable risks, and from Otago direct to Hokitika freights are so much higher thut; at least twenty-five per cent would be saved by transhipment at Nelson. The Kennedy is a twin-screw steamer. She was launched in January last, from the works of the Australasian Steam Navigation Company at Pyrmont, and is suitable for either river or sea going purposes, being fitted with a centreboard, and rigged as a fore-and-aft three-masted schooner. The Sydney Morning Herald thus describes her : —The chief interest in the present launch centres, of course, in the new propelling medium —the screws are placed under each quarter, one being termed the right and the other the left fan. There are two blades to each, and they are kept clear of the hull by the shaft passing through tubes fixed on either side, about six feet long ; these fans can be worked separately, and in contrary directions, and they will, of course, offer many facilities for turning the vessel in a smaller circle than thesirgle screw can efFect, The vessel was placed on the cradle ot the Patent Slip, and the launch took place at 3 p.m., the ceremony of christening being performed by Miss M'Arthur, second daughter of the A.S.N. Company's chief engineer, Mr. M'Arthur, by whom the Kennedy was built. She took the water in gallant style, and her symmetrical proportions when afloat elicited no less admiration than when inspected as she lay on the cradle. The Kennedy is built of iron, and her dimensions are as follows : —Length of ship, 135 feet; beam, 19 feet; depth of hold, 7 feet 3 inches ; length of quarter-deck,!,'3s feet. There will be accommodation in the saloon for twelve gentlemen and six ladies, with good fore-cabin room for about twenty. Her gross tonnage, buildc/r's measurement, is 240 tons : her depth of water, when launched, was a little over 2 feet. The screws will be driven by engines of four cylinders, the combined power of which reaches about 40-horso nominal. The engines are inverted direct action, and are completed and nearly ready for fitting on board. The Kennedy had to combine light draught of water, good carrying capacity, and moderate speed ; and we are happy to state that the preliminary trial trip bore out the most sanguine expectations of her builder ; as under the disadvantage of having the screws only partially immersed she steamed with ease ten knots per hour, a rate that will be considerably increased when the vessel is in her proper trip. When carrying 150 tons of cargo she wiil only draw 4 feet water. That this new vessel will prove a serviceable one there c&u be little doubt,

and she refloats great credit on the skill and perseverance of her builder. She was telegraphed on the 29th ultimo, at Queensland, to return to Sydney, there to undergo a complete overhaul previous to delivery to her pureha«erF, and may bo expected to arrive in Nelson about the 20th of the present month. We are glad to hear of this accession to the coastal service of the province, and fully recognise the commercial spirit which Messrs. N.Edwards and Co. have manifested by these several timely additions. Of course they have found good account in the steamers which they have heretotofore started, and business speculations must have something more accruing to them than the attainment ot widely spread convenience ; but in this direction, where similar attempts, with well endowed means, have failed to attain their special intention for usefulness, we can only say that it is fortunate that a private firm possesses the business acumen to successfully conduct a service which, is of considerable public advantage. The bvijjantine Hercules, arrived iiere on Sunday last from Newcastle, after a passage of J2 days. She brings 245 tons of coals. The P., N.Z., and A.R.M. Company's s.s. Airedale, Henry Harris, Commander, arrived at this port at 12.15. yesterday. She passed Sydney Heads at 3.30 p.m. on the 30th August, and experienced fine weather throughout, making the passage in 4 days 20 hours. She brings upwards of 50 diggers.