THE NORTHERN COMPANY'S NEW STEAMER NGAPUHI.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume XXXXII, Issue 200, 17 October 1900, Page 2

THE NORTHERN COMPANY'S NEW STEAMER NGAPUHI.

The Ngapuhi, which arrived at Auck- a . land on Friday morning, left the 8I Oamperdown Docks, Dundee, at 5.45 s< p.m. on July 18; landed the North j? Sea pilot at Dover on the 20th; ex- \ perienced fine weather down the Chan- , nel, and thence to Maderia, arriving at the latter pert on the 26th. After u taking in bunker coal, sailed on the n 27th at 7.45 p.m. Experienced mode- P rate N,E. trade winds to St. Vincent, s arriving at the latter port on August 2, at 10,20 p.m. After taking in c bunker coal, sailed on the 3rd, at 11.50 f= pm„ Experienced heavy S.E. swell 1: and strong S.E, trades. Crossed the equator in long. llfleg.W on the 11th, experiencing strong S.E. winds and r heavg sea. Crossed the meridian of c Greenwich in lat. 13.25 S., arriving at s Oapetown on the 24th at 1 p.m. Leav- l ingthe latter port on tho 29; hj, after | coaling, had strong W. to S.W. winds and light sea running the easting down. c Passed the island of Amsterdam on ' September 13; steamed round the I island, but saw no sign of any ship- ( wrecked people; there are plenty of ' cattle grazing on the island. Arrived { at Albany on the 27th; took in 250 k tons of coal, and sailed again at 4 p.m. on the 30th for Auckland. Experienced strong north-east winds for two days. Passed Wilson's Promontory on the 7th inst., and across the Tasman Sea ■ experienced W. and S.W. winds. , Passed Cape Maria Van DiemeD at 6 p.m. on the 11th, and met with fine weather down the cost until off '1 iritiri at noon yesterday, when the weather set in thick and dirty, continuing until ' arrival. Captain P. W. Norbury, late of the Gairloch, is in command, Mr, Thomas Braidwood being chief officer, and C. W. Cummings second. Mr George Gow is in charge of the engine department, Mr. Lester being tecood, and Mr. W. Manian (late of the Wellington) third. Mr, Webb is chief steward. The Ngapuhi comes into port in fine order after her long voyage of 83 days, and will be floated into dock before proceeding to Ouehunga to take up her running on the OaehungaNew Plymouth trade. The N.Z. Herald gives the following particulars of the vessel: —When the steamer was reported in tho Gulf yesterday morning, the s.s. Muritai , left the company's wharf with a party jto meet and welcome the vessel. There . were on boa'd: Mr. O. Rans-on (manager of the Northern Steamship Company), Messrs. M. A. Clarke and J. It. Gray (directors), Mr. W. Laird (super- , intending engineer), Captain W. Far-' quhar, Mr. Blackwood (inspector of machinery), Messrs. H. O. Tewsley, W. O. Sonars, J. Coutts, Dr. Sharman . (health officer), and Mrs. Sharman. ; When the Muritai was abreast of the reef the Ngapuhi was sighted steaming through Tiritiri Fassage, and . the signal, " You will be welcome to Auckland," was run up. In about an hour the new-comer reached the Beacon, ( where the Muritai was awaiting her, j and as she steamed up the channel her smart appearance and shapely hull ,

> elicited much favourable criticism. After inspection by Dr. Sharman, who was pulled oft' in one of the Murital's boats, the Murirai steamed alongside and transhipped her pa-ty to the Ngapuhi. Just off the North Head, the Uompany's steamer Waimarie, which was on her way to Paeroo, ran up tome bunting and saluted the latest addition to the company's fleet, and coming up the hartnur several of the steamers received her with a blast of their sirens. Berthing at Quay-street jetty, the Ngapuhi and those on board met with a cordial reception by a number of friends, who, notwithstanding the inclement weather, had assembled to meet the steimer on her arrival. ■ Captain Norbury and his officers are to bo complimented upon the care which has bem given to the vessel during the voyage. Shortly after the steamer was berthed at the wharf, the company adjourned to the smoking-room, when Jlr. 0. Ranson, the manager of the Company, proposed the toast of " Captain Norbury and Mr. Gow." He congratulated both gent'emen upon the successful issue ,of the voyage, and was pleased to see them back safe and sound. Mr, Gow, in replying, thanked Mr. Hanson for his kindly welcome. The Ngapuhi had quite come up to expectations on the run out from Scotland. The steamer had the speed in her, and he was quite sure she would do all that was required of her when placed on the West Coast trade. All that he and Captain Norbury hoped was that sh-s would prove a profitable vessel to the company, and they had little doubt about that. The Ngapuhi was launched in April lasc from the yards of Messrs. Gourlay Brothers and Cj., Dundee, and is a very handsome vessel. Her principal dimensions are: Length overall, 200 ft; beam, 30ft; depth,'l3ft Gin; with a gross tonnage of 680. The hull is of steol throughout, subdivided by five watertight bulkheads, and each peak is fitted for carrying water ballast. All exposed decks are of East India teak. Accommodation is provided amidships for about 100 firstclass passengers, the state rooms being fitted with patent iron folding beds, and lavatories, and includes a large dining, saloon, panelled in polished Austrian oak, ladies' cabin in Hungarian ash, and smoking room on deck in dark walnut. There is also a social hall amidships, panelled in polished mahogony, fitted with a piano, and lighted by a large skylight overhead, glazed with stained glass windows representing New Zealand scenery. The whole is tastefully upholstered, avid pantries, bars, lavatories, etc., have hesn fitted re pi-to with every modern convenience. At the aftorend of the vessel accommodation has been arranged for about 30 second-class passengers, with sa'oou and ladies' cab n. The ■ officers are berthed iu a deckhouse aft and the crew in the force sti'o. The vessel is rigg d a* a f-re-and-aft schooner, and has two hatches, each with steam winch and double derricks for handling cargo. The other deck machinery cons sts of a powerful windlass on the forecastle, seam steering gear amidship--, and screw goar aft. A complete ins allutiou of electric light has been fitted throughout Iho vessel, and every partis thoi'uu.;hly ventila'ed. Both holds are arranged for carrying <: gattle,w»d aie e-.nocia!iy ventilated, hv ,

slectrieally-driven fans. Tlio engines we on tho triple expansion principle, the cylinders being 13,21, and 34, with a. stroke of 24. They are specially designed by Messrs. Gourlay for twinscrew vessels, and develop 1300 horsepower. At the trial trip on a run of four hours a mean of 12 - 6 knots per hour was attained. On the run across from Albany to Auckland the steamer made excellent time, au average of 240 miles per day being made. The Ngaconstructed under the special supervision of Mr. George Gow, one of the superintending engineers of the company, who is to be cordially congratulated upon the success of his efforts in the interest of the company. The Star says: —During her runout the Ngapuhi met rough weather and righ seas, and proved herself an excellent sea boat. The run from Wilson's. Promontory was done in good time, an average speed of 240 knots per day being maintained all the way from Albany, while over 250 was recorded on several occasions, The Nga|puhi was inspected by a number of people interested in shipping on Saturday, and was very favourably commented on, her excellent passenger accommodation being highly praised. She should prove very popular. " : ■ I 1-3=