The 0.8.8. Co's new steamer Ido: menus, Capt. J. Riley, which left here on Thursday (25th) for Japan, isa magnificent specimen of marine architecture, and re-fleets the highest credit both on her builders, Messrs. Scott & Ca., Greenock, and the Company's naval architect, Mr. Wortley. Whether above deck or below there ix not a structure but exhibits a forethought only obtainable by the judicious use of vast cumulative experience. Of 4,298 tons er and 12,000 tons displacement, her are:—Length between per. 440f¢. and over all 460ft., breadth (monldel) 52ft. Gin., depth (moulded) -33ft. depth of hold to top of tanks 30ft. 6hin. Her cargo space, and she has six holds, totals 433,766 cubic ft., equal to 10,844. tons measurement, whilst her deadweight capacity is 8,000 tons, For her six hatches no less than 25, derricks are apjointed, the smallest of which are tested for 6 tons; eight are for 15 tons, and two for 35 tons. Fifteen winches have been supplied for the handling of her freight. As an example of what can be done on a ship of this description, we recon! the fact that, on the afternoon previous to sailing, without in any. way interfering with the work at the other hatches, the chief officer, Mr. B. C. Lewis, with his crew.and a number of Chinese coolies, took on board four boilers, measuring 30ft. by Sit. cham. and. weighing 20 tons, in.three working hours, and these hoists were performed without a single preventer or an additional stay. Above water she resembles the rest of the Compuny's large vessels, but underneath a new. dopurture has been taken. Instead of having the familiar stern and rudder-post in the one forging or easting, her stern-post and keel are brought together with a gradual curve, and not at right angles, The rudder-post, which is separate, extends only to the level of the stern-tubes and her radder is bu riy by is bu 12ft. fan. The engines are but similar to those of theCompany's steamer Gluucus, which is some 1,000 tons smaller, but as she hasfinerlines her speed, if anything, is creater. Onthe trial trip 143 knots were obtained, the engines, which still had power in reserve, making 96 revolutions. The donkey-boiler is on the main-deck level and possesses the peculiar feature of being able to work the main engines, connections for that purpose having been fitted—although at what speed we cannot say. The engine-room, which is in charge of Mr. J. Russell, with his four assistant engineers and thirty Chinese, is fitted with a dynamo for cargo and search lamps, Weit's pumps and feed-hester, also powerful pumps for the rapid discharge of water ballast, of which she can carry 2,873 tons in her several tanks, The tunnel does not enter the aiter-holds, but is cut off by a water-tight bulkhead which extends up to the main deck, the remainder of the shafting being simply encased. Great care has been bestowed on the steering year (Harrison). The engine is ina house on the poop right aft, and all the guiding rods, instead of being carried along the deck or overhead, are sheltered below. In the event of a serious accident happening to the steering gear, the vessel can be steered within three minutes by the two steam-winches on the poop, wire tackles being in readiness for that purpose. She carries twelve boats—namely, a dinghy and eleven life basts, fi of which are of metal. The crew live rift in commodious quarters under the poop, and the officers and engineers on the lower deck of the battery, or contre-castle, as the builders have it, whilst the Captain has a spacious and well-uppointed room on the upper deck. The windlass and all the cargo-winches, which are of the most improved type, ure by Mosers. John H. Wilson & Ca., of Liverpool.
conclusion, we may say her owners are to he congratulated on possessing so noble aeraft, and likewise the merchants who may have the privilege of shipping their wares by, of a truth, "The good ship"
Text read from the printed page and cleaned; old type leaves the occasional error.