EXCURSION TO AKAROA.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 196, 29 December 1868, Page 3

EXCURSION TO AKAROA.

r — •— pc [COMMUKI CATED.] On Friday afternoon, a large party of excursionists, attracted, no doubt, by the cheapness pf the trip and a desire to see the town of Akaroa and its beautiful scenery, embarked on board the p.s. Comerang, Capt. Hepburn. The steamer left Peacock's Wharf at 3.30 p,.m., with a westerly wind. The usual amount of sea sickness had to be undergone by many of the passengers after leaving the heads but the sea was very calm, and those who were well enjoyed themselves amazingly. The various bays were pointed out by the Captain, and great interest was felt at 6eeing them, and, also, at the sight of the cave, near Flea Bay, in which poor Belchel and Captain Ellis of the Crest were drowned. Akaroa was reached at 9.30., after a most pleasant passage. During the trip we had the pleasufeofcinspecting the fine engines of the Comerang, of which the Chief Engineer, Mr Heslop, is justly very proud. They were constructed by Stewart of Blackwall, and have been not quite two years at work. They are of the . oscillating condensing class, which is the most approved design for paddle boats, of 75 horse power nominal, working up to 170 actual. In these engines, the cy inders, of which there are two, are set immediately under the cranks. The top of the piston rod is connected directly to the crank-pin, and, to enable the piston rod to accommodate itself to the movement of the crank, the cylinders are constructed to vibrate or oscillate upon two external hollow axes or trunnions. These trunnions are placed half-way up the sides of the cylinders, and through one of them steam is admitted from the boiler, while through the other steam escapes to the condenser, whence it is exhausted along with the water and air by the air pump which is placed between the two steam .cylinders, and is worked by a separate crank. Motion is communicated by the shaft on which the cranks are to the paddle wheels, which are of the patent feathering description and very massive. The feathering is accomplished by an eccentric and radius rods working the floats, which are hung on centres. The bearings are all patent metal, and there ' id an entire absence of vibration so usual in steamers. We noticed in one corner of the engine room a powerful donkey, which is used for the various purposes of hoisting cargo, pumping out the ship when required, and feeding the boilers. It is also a most efficient fire-engine, being capable of throwing water over the mast-head. There are two boilers, which can be worked separately if required. After inspecting the engines, which are worthy of all admiration, for beauty of finish and smooth working, we were taken by the engineer into lv's cabin, where we were shown an ingenious tell-tale of his own construction. This is connected by a wire to the engines, so that every stroke is registered, and can be read off at leisure. Each tick represents so many pounds of coal, and it is thus a ca ital check upon the consumption of fuel. Then, at the end of the trip, say from Lyttelton to Dunedin, it gives the total revolutions for the whole distance. This, of course, varies very much with the weather, and ranges from 44,788 revolutions to 64,1 10, while, as a general rule, fewer revolutions are made on the up trip from Dunedin than down, owing to the current. On arrival at Akaroa, the visitors soon left the vessel to seek for accommodation, which was found to be plentiful, and of the best desciption. On Sunday, the inhabitants of Akaroa vied with each other in showing their gardens, well stocked with fruit. One garden alone, we were informed, produced iioless than 7 tons of apples. The beautiful HHfffaU'was visited by many of the exHHrsionists, whilst others took a trip to the Phead of the bay. On Sunday night the inhabitants were surprised and highly gratified by the musical performances of a number of the party singing at the various dwellings some Christmas carols. At 5 a.m., on Monday, the whistle for starting was sounded, and at half-paßt the steamer was on her passage home. A beautiful morning, with a smooth sea, left nothing to be desired. The steamer was kept well in shore, so as to allow tl« different bays to be seen. The ships in harbour were saluted with vocal music as the steamer passed them, and the ship Glenmark acknowledged the compliment by dip iDg her flag. The excursionists were landed at the screw pile jetty at 11.45, and expressed to Captain Hepburn their great satisfaction and pleasure at the ti ip, and the way in which he had catered for their enjoyment.