The latest addition to the Rassian Voluiteer Fleet, the twin-screw steamer Khersn, is undoubtedly one of the finest linens of naval archicture that has ever visited the East, With the graceful clipper how and beautiful lines so characteristic of the ships of this fleet, she commands the admiration of the veriest tyro, and once on hoard the admiration cannot but be intensified by the manner in which every little detail that can possibly tend to the comfort and safety of both the ship and. her passengers, crew, and cargo has beet Mrs. attended to. The Kherson was built for the Volunteer Fleet by Messrs. Hawthorn, Leslie and Ca., who have constructed most of the ships of this. fleet, and her principal dimensions are: length over all, 493 feet; length between -perpendiculars, 455 feet; beam, 54 fect 3in.; moulded depth, 37 feet 3in.; gross tonnage, 10,400 tons. The engines, also constructed by the builders on Marshall's system, are of the twin-screw triple expansion type, the two sets of engines indicating 13,000 horsepower, giving a speed of nearly21 knots. The cylinders nre36in., 57in., and 92in, inrespective diameter, and the pistons havea stroke of 54 inches. Steam is supplied by 24 Belleville boilers, arranged in three groups of eight, in addition to which there is a steam to the deck machinery. "The ship boiler on the main deck for supplying
is lighted throughout by electricity, there being a total number of about 420 incandescent lights, in addition to which there fare numerous.group lights for working cargo at night. A complete refrigerating plant is fitted, this ensuring a constant supply of fresh provisions at sea. The deck machinery is all of the most _"pproved design and includes four powerfal" cranes anda like number of steam winches for handling cargo. For working the four large anchors she is fitted with Harfield's patent steam windlass, one of the most powerful windlasses extant. The steering gear. is of the type known as Brown's Steam tiller, situated in the after end of the poop and worked either from the bridge or wheel-house as desired. In the ceventof a breakdown of the steam apparatus it can-be converted into a very powerful hand gear in a few seconds. For life-savin; purposes. the Kherson la supplied with. eleven large boats, all of the latest design, a large steam launch, and four smaller boats, besides life-belts for every person on board. The poop space is almost entirely taken up with two spacious and airy hospitals, one for women, the other for men, in which nothing that can conduce to: the comfort and health of the patients is omitted. The! remainder is taken up with large lavatories and kitchens for the \soldiers and their wives. Part.of the troop deck is occupied by large, well ventilated cabins for third class passengers, which are plainly, but very comfortably fitted with removal iron bunks with woven wire' mattresses. The troop-deck itself is spacious and airy and every provision for comfort and sanitation when carrying a large number of troops has been made. The hold is ventilated by six large electric ventilators, which exhaust the foul air from the tween-decks. In addition to numerous service pipes for fire-extinguishing purposes, all the holds are fitted with steam injectors which can be: used to smother any fire! which may break out among the cargo. 72 first-class passengers in the spacious"
The orson has grayed for saloon amidships. 'The cabins, Perbich are all fitted for two persons, are not! at all ornate in the character' of. their decoration,. but are roomy, and' exceedingly well. ventilated and comforta-
and. Hehly, upholstered in" old" gold!
white it net. flooring, midomi Donutifully fitted brocaded plush, and presents." very leasing effect to the eye: On the ridge is a masnificont music room, the fittings of which are in teak and yak; and further aft, also on the bridge deck, is a comfortable smoking room, in white marble and gold, with encaustic tile floor.
The comfort of the officers and crew is evidently not a secondary consideration with the directors of the. Volunteer Fleet. The captain has a suite of rooms on the fore part of the bridge deck, and the officers and engineers are accommodated in roomy. and well-fitted cabins on the main deck, each officer having his own cabin, which is much Intger than those which in many ships have to accommodate two officers.and. all their personal belongings. The crew are comfortably housed under the forecastle, every man being provided with a locked receptacle for his property. The Kherson has on board at present over 1,400 time-ex-red soldiers and their wives and children, -but oven with such a large number there is, no overeromiding, although no special provision has been made for them, the ordinary capacity, of the ship being more than sufficient for that number. "The Kherson, like most of the steamers of the Volunteer Fleet, is intended to be used as n cruiser in time of war and is fitted for about twelve quick-firing and machine guns, and with her great speed would un doubtedly be almost formidable vessel, especially as a commerce destroyer. She must certainly be pronounced an exceedingly fine vessel, a credit alike to her builders and owners, and both are to be congratulated on the progressiveness shown in every detail of the ship nnd her fittings. No expense has been spared. to have everything of the best and most tip-to-date type and the result has been the production of a vessel that will bear comparison in every way with almost any other ship afloat.
Text read from the printed page and cleaned; old type leaves the occasional error.