OUR ILLUSTRATIONS.

New Zealand Graphic, Volume XXVI, Issue II, 12 January 1901, Page 64

OUR ILLUSTRATIONS.

The Sierra. DESCRIPTION OF THE VESSEL. The Sierra was open for inspection on her arrival in Auckland, and many hundreds availed themselves of the opportunity of inspecting the new liner. From truck to keel the vessel is up-to-date, everything used in her construction and fitting being the best that could be obtained. The familiar black of the hulls of the Mariposa and Alameda has given place in the Sierra to white, for greater coolness in the tropics. Our photo, it will be noticed, was taken before she left, and the change was made. As the vessel steamed up the harbour her general appearance was very favourably commented on by those congregated on the wharf to witness her arrival. The design of the Sierra is very similar to that of the old vessels, though of course the Sierra is very much larger." The flush fore and aft deck, with the promenade and bridge decks above, together with the straight stem and long sheer, accounted a good deal for this resemblance.

The Sierra is 597 S tons gross register, and 3730 net. She is 425 feet long and 52 feet beam, her loaded draught being 24 feet. Her engines are of the triple expansion surface condensing type, and will develop 8000 hp. The cylinders are 28, 46, and 76 inches, by a 48 inch stroke. There are eight cylindrical boilers, each 10ft stin long by 162 inches diameter, the working pressure being limited to 1751ba per square inch. An inspection of the vessel reveals the fact that her accommodation oatclasses that of other boats trading to this port. Splendid promenades are provided on the upper and hurricane decks. The former runs the full length of the vessel, while the latter runs from the foremast to the main. On the hurricane deck is the large social hall, which is beautifully upholstered in green velvet, with carpets to match. A first-class piano is provided in this room. This deck also contains the officers’ quarters, two bridal rooms, which are very elegantly furnished, and a large smokingroom, finished in buff leather, and well provided with tables, etc.

Cabin accommodation is provided for 238 first-class passengers on the Sierra, in her berth cabins. These are models of luxury and comfort. The berths are roomy, and ample room is provided for dressing. Those on the outside are provided with very large windows. Fifty second-class passengers can be accommodated, and 90 third-class. The second-class accommodation is very well and comfortably furnished. The dining-room Co» the first-class is on the upper deek, and can accommodate 150 at one sitting. It is tastefully upholstered in red velvet, with red carpets and furnishings. The dining saloon for sec-ond-elass passengers, on the main deek aft, close to the cabins, is also daintily furnished, and will accommodate seventy-five persons. There are three kitehens, one for each class. There are ten first-class bath-rooms, ■with porcelain tubs and marfe’e walls, ceiling and tiling and two independent showers in marble enclosures. There are fine porcelain tubs in the second-class bathrooms, and on th® upper deck is a finely-appointed bar-

her shop. An innovation throughout the passenger quarters is the ceilings, which are finished in burlap and canvas, toned in colours to suit the furnishings. The entire ship can be ventilated by forced draught whenever necessary, while electric fans are placed in the saloon and halls. The stairways are wid e and commodious. Electric lights are fitted throughout the ship, and a large arc searchlight is fitted on the bridge deck.