Ihe Northern Steamship Company.

Thames Star, Volume XXVII, Issue 8267, 5 February 1896, Page 2

The Northern Steamship Company.

LAUNCH OF A STEAMER

THE WAIMAEIE.

ilt/CKLANX), xesieruuy. The Northern Steamship Company during its 14 or 15 years' existence has risen from a comparatively small beginning to the position of one of our largest local institutions. In one way and another its expenditure in Auckland annually amounts to close on £80,000. Its policy has always been to keep abreast of the times, and as the trade increased and the traffic required it new boats have been built. The company's fleet consists of the Clansman, Wellington, Gairloch, Waiotahi, Eotomahana, Glenelg, Ohinemuri, Argyle, lona, Kanieri and Douglas. Of these, the iron boats have been built at Home, and the wooden ones are of local construction. It is an extraordinary thing that this company, which is purely an Auckland one, has not been given the facilities for berthing its vessels allowed to outside companies, and, since the trade has practically doubled owing to the revival of the mining industry, it is often at considerable disadvantage that the work of this company'? boats* is carried on. This, however, will probably be shortly rectified, as, in connection Avith the mining revival, the company are now building two new boats. The TVakatere (swift boat), as one is to be called, which is being constructed on the Clyde, is a fast paddle steamer of about 215 tons. She is constructed of steel, and it is expected that her launch will take place early in May, in which case she may be expected out in the colony during July. On arrival she will be engaged almost entirely in the Hauvaki Gulf trade. The other boat referred to was laxmched yesterday morning at high tide from the Freezing Works reclamation and is intended for the Paeroa trade. j The new boat launched yesterday has been under way about four

iwjsitkfy wliicli is 14 rmy skoii time lor k vmml of liei' size, and liad it been necessary she could have been ready for launching before the New Year.

She was designed by Mr J. G. Trevitliick, and has been built by Mr E. Logan, senr., of North Shore, under his siipervision and that of Captain Anderson and of tho manager (Mr Kanson). - The work has given every satisfaction to the Company, having been carried out most thoroughly and conscientiously. A large crowd assembled on the reclamation to witness the launch, and the new boat was gaily decorated with bunting. The christening ceremony was performed as the steamer started to move towards the water by Miss MacFarlane (daughter of the Chairman of directors), who, in breaking the bottle of champagne over the bows in the customary mannerswished the Waimarie success. The name is a Maori word, meaning " peaceful water," and ,is therefore particularly applicable to a boat to a large extent engaged in a river trade. The launch was most successful, and after the boat had reached the watei she was removed to Hobson street "Wharf, where she is to be rigged. A short description of the Waimarie will not. be out of place here. She is diagonally built in three [skins, the timber throughout being kauri. The length of the keel is 106 ft. She is 123 ft overall, and has a beam of 22ft. The depth of hold is Bft (iin, and she is expected to cany a cargo of over 100 tons, besides about 40 tons of bunker coal on a draught of sft 9in. The Waimarie stands high out of the water, having- a poop deck extending about two-thirds of her length. On the main deck, which extends the full length of the ship, the saloon is situated. It is very large compared with the size of the vessel, extending from stern of amidships, and there is sleeping accommodation for 60 passengers. Forward of the saloon the engines are to be placed. There are two holds for cargo, one forward of the poop deck, and the other situated aft. The steamer is to be fitted with two pole masts, having two cargo derricks apiece. Every convenience for the comfort of passengers is to be included, and also every facility for expeditiously handling the cargo. The electric light is to be fitted throughout, and a very powerful electric head light will be carried on the foremast to facilitate the navigation of the river at night and during the heavy fogs which frequently settle on it. The rigging of the steamer will be completed, and she will be taken down to the Thames for her engines in about a fortnight's time. Messrs A. and Gr. Price are just finishing the engines, which are guaranteed to give a speed of ten knots. The vessel will have twin screws. The joinery work is being very satisfactorily done by Mr E. Hmes, and Messrs Winks and Hall will do the upholstering. The Waimarie, when complete, will cost very little short of £7000, and she should prove a valuable addition to the Northern Company's -already large fleet. The steamer is expected to he ready to take up her running in a little over a month.