Those landlubbers who occasionally down to the sea in ships are lucky if they travel by such x vessel as the new N.Y.K.S. Kaga Maru, She is the first of five splendid steamers which are destined by the Nippon Yusen Kaisha to run between Hongkong and Seattle, and thus to establish a new trans-Pacific route. She towers now above the N.Y.K. wharf, her enormous capacity for freight not yet having been tested, and yesterday the Press were hospitably entertained board, and, incidentally, the merits of the ship exposed to them. The notable point about the Kaga Maru is that she is an object lesson in the wonderful strides the Japanese have made of Into years in shipig. She was turned out by the Mitsu ishi Dockyard and Engine Works, Naga-ud launched on the 26th of January of this year. In all those points which e the really desirable passenger ight steamer of to-day she is complete, and she is, moreover, admirably officered, Captain J. W. Ekstrand commands her, than whom there is no more able, and experienced a captain on the China coast.
Her first officer is Mr. H. H. Coe, Mr. Muller is second officer, Mr. 8. Moore is chief engineer, and Mr. Thompson second engineer. The crew numbers altogether 123.
The passenger accommodation of the Kaga Maru is admirable. Sne has eighteen first-class cabins, capable of receiving. a total of 36 passengers, fitted on top of the bridge deck in steel houses. The first-class dining saloon is under the bridge on the tween decks, and everywhere a gener-tous taste anda keen: appreciation of comfort has been displayed. The walls of the cabins, dining saloon, ete., ate panelled with a Japanese wood having a particularly beautiful grain. Everywhere there is electric light—it might "be said, that everywhere elegance and comfort join hands harmoniously. No second class rigers are taken, but there is accommodation for twelve intermediate passengers, and for more than a hundred of a lower degree. The possible ill-health of the passengers has been taken into account, for an eight-berth hospital finds a place on the aft poop deck, in charge of a Japanese doctor.
Some general description of the ship must be given. She is a steel twin-screw steamer of 6,301 tons, gross tonnage, and a net tonnage of 3,900, which is exclusive of her cellular double bottom. She has two masts, one funnel, upper and tween decks, poop bridge and forecastle, and a shade-deck over the bridge. Her length is 455 feet, width 47.6 feet, and depth 30.2 feet. She haus two sets of triple expansion engines, and two cylindrical double-ended boilers. There are seven water-tight steel bulkheads. Twelve boats are provided, four ing, steel life-boats and four wooden life-boats. As to speed, the ordinary pressure is reckoned to produce 11 knots, though the Kaga Maru made 15} knots on her trial trip.
Yesterday may be considered to have been a fete n board. thin was given to the represen and a few other visitors.
Between fe and six o'clock in th afternoon avery gentlemen: rf was prettily fri choos, liberally pointed with paper lanterns. Later in the day, when a Japanese reception was given, these were lighted with charming effect. ' Altogether, yesterday was a day of hospitality.and a time of praise and admiration which the Kaga Mara well deserved.
Text read from the printed page and cleaned; old type leaves the occasional error.