A TROPICAL STEAMER.

Wellington Independent, Volume XXVI, Issue 3239, 30 June 1871, Page 2

A TROPICAL STEAMER.

The "'Alia California" says : — The hull of a new and peculiar steamboat for navigation in the tropics haBJUBt been completed in ono of the New York ship yards, and forwarded to Wilmington for the insertion of the machinery. It will bo a steam-wheel boat, 160 feet long, 25 feet breadth of beam, and 6 feet depth oi hold. There will be two high-pressure engiues ; 18 incb.ee cylinder, 6 feet stroke, 12 feet face, and 22 feet in diameter, and two locomotive tubular boilers. There are three water-tight bulkheads, with an entire flush deck foi freight. The whole length above is divided into two dressing rooms for ladies and gentlemoH, and one grand Baloon for the accommo'

,—- - - ■ • * ' '"■'-■■' ' '*- dation of all the passengers. There are no state rooms for passengers, who, in that warm climate, would not; occupy them, preferring to , swing their hammocks in the maiu saloon, which will hold about 150. The vessel, when fully equipped, will sail at the rate of about fifteen knots on hour. It will draw but twelve inches of water unloaded, but may be freighted down to five feet. It will be named the San Fernando, and officered by a captain, two pursers, two engineers, and a mate. The now craft is to form one of the squadron of the "Venezuelan Transportation Company, which was organised in 1869 for navigation in Venezuelan watei-3 under the United States flag. The company employs three steamers, exclusive of this one, and sis sailing launches, of 1400 tons iv all. The route commences at Port Spain, in the Island of Trinidad, in the West Indies, and runs up the Orinoco river to Ciudid Do Bolivar, about 400 miles. From Ciudid Do Bolivar it proceeds up to Nutrias, on the Pura river, about 600 miles. From Fort Spain a vessel runs to Laguayra, 500 miles, stopping at intermediate ports. In tins way a regular line of communication i 3 kept open between Laguayra and Nutrias.