Hide Article Text (OCR)
T2m OUba XAvigAtioa Oo.’iNtw IlMt of StMmm.thevADallI'ManabthIkiMondcsofelAheavofIkiananMfoantbceSObeCOth*U1hiWiTlcoCTJPllilthroitlt;65tombtsi*hiIDOfI©loahIDtllilmInArrival op tub as. 44 CnAxnsnA.”Th© a.a. “ Changsha,'1 Captain Williams, arrived in our harbour from Greenock, via Hongkong, on Wednesday morning last, and as this vessel is the first of the new steamers for the China and Australian trade, recently built for the China Navigation Co., we append a brief description.The 8.8. “Changsha,” is a handsomely modelled steel vessel, 314 feet long, 38 feet beam, and 25 feet depth of hold ; her registered tonnage being 1463 tons, while her carrying capacity reaches 2500 tons. Her engines are of the latest design, being on the triple expansion principle, 400 nominal horsepower, working with 150 pounds pressure of steam and steaming 13 knots.The vessel was built by Scott and Co., Greenock, is schooner rigged, and her mean draught of water is 20 feet 6 inches. She carries on deck four steel life boats, and her accommodation for the comfort of passengers is everything that the most exacting could desire.The state rooms and saloon for first-class passengers are situated amidships where the vibration of the machinery can scarcely be felt. Here accommodation is provided for 20 passengers, the cabins being Urge ana airy, floored with Minton’s tiles, and fitted with all the latest improvements in the way of lavatories, electric bells, Ac. The bath rooms are simply luxurious, l*eing floored with tiles, and fitted with solid marble baths, supplied with hot and cold water from the engine room. The saloon is a handsome apartment, floored with mosaic tiles and roost comfortably furnished, the whole of the wood pannelling being artistically carved, and the skylights and ceiling being handsomely decorated in white and gold. The deck accommodation is very large, no space being taken up by hencoops or aheep-pens, all the fresh provisions required being carried in a frosen state in the steamers’ refrigerating room. The accommodation for second-class passengers—of which there is room for 36—is also most spacious and comfortable, airy cabins, roomy saloon, and well-fitted bath-rooms being provided. Excellent accommodation is also provided for steerage passengers, who are located further art; while the Chinese deck passengers are kept well to themselves in the fore part of the vessel. The u Changsha ” is the first vessel of her class which has visited this port, and we could not miss the opportunity of visiting her refrigerating-room when courteously offered to us by the captain, The sensation as one descends from the deck, where the thermometer is registering about 98deg. to the refrigerating-room where the glass indicates that the air is a trifle above froesing point, is a novel and not altogether pleasant one. The cold air seems to strike through ones clothing with irresistible power, and the gradual feeling that the blood in your veins is cooling down from its normal state to the gfettle warmth of a lemon ice is scarcely pleasant. The oold air pipes surrounding the storage-room are coated with snow, and for once we experienced the novelty of rolling a snow-ball, the first made in the Territory, which we manufactured for the benefit of that well-known waterman, “ Wharf Rat,” who scarcely appreciated the delicate attention, in fact he resented our unusually cool treatment in the most marked manner. The refrigerating-room was plentifully stocked with frosen carcases of sheep, deer, lamb, while partridges, pheasants and every description of poultry and game hung round the walls, and was a sight to make a Darwin gourmand* mouth water, The ice required for the use of the passengers is manufactured by the same machinery which supplies the cold air to the refrigerating-room, and our opinion of the comforts provided for travellers was certainly not lessened while trying to sip a cold glass of lime-juice and soda, which absolutely made the teeth ache. The whole steamer from stem to stern is a model of the very latest inventions for the comfort of the luxury-loving traveller. Nothing of the ginger-bread style of decoration or ornamental candle box cabins, but good substantial solid comfort, combined with every neoessary ornamentation which the good taste of the designer could suggest. Captain Williams, who was formerly of the as. u Whampoa, ” is in command of the “ Changsha,” and with Mr. Nelson, chief officer, and Mr. G. Brown, chief engineer, brought the vessel from Greenock. We can only hope that the Australian trade will amply repay the China Navigation Co. for their enterprise in building such a fine class of steamers.The second of the fleet, the s.s.“ Ching-tu,” has arrived at Hongkong, under the command of Captain Yarden, and will be the next of the line to visit Port Darwin. We must not close these notes without expressing our \ thanks to Captain Williams and his j officers for their ready courtesy in | showing us over the vessel, and supplying us with all the above detailed information.tl1*I*ciISKhiiit0!HIBP1bPCc«
Newspaper Details
Palmerston Northern Territory Times and Gazette
Palmerston, Northern Territory, AU
Sat, Jan 01, 1887
Page 3
Full Page
Clipped by
Anonymous
GB 23 Apr 2023
Other Publications Near Palmerston, Northern Territory
Palmerston North Australian and Northern Territory Government Gazette
Palmerston Northern Territory Times and Gazette
Palmerston North Australian
