Fridland - Trial

TRIAL TRIP OF THE s. s. FRIDLAND.

(Northern) Daily Mail. Sep 6/1910

The handsome steel screw steamer Fridland, built by Messrs. William Gray and Co., Ltd., for Messrs. Axel Brostrom and Son, of Goteborg, was taken for her trial trip on Saturday.

The vessel has built to Lloyd’s highest class, and is of the following dimensions: Length over all, 415ft.; breadth, 52ft. 9in.; and depth, 28ft. 6in. She has been specially designed for the owners’ Swedish iron ore and general trade, and has long, poop, extra long bridge, and top-gallant forecastle.

The cellular double bottom extends throughout, and large after and fore peak tanks and deep tank in the after hold are fitted for water ballast. These, with side ballast tanks of about 1,400 tons capacity give about 3,100 tons in all. Special pumps, pipes, and valves are fitted so that the whole of the ballast can be filled or emptied in less than ten hours. The side tanks (McGlashan’s patent) extend from the after hold to the fore hold, a length of 247ft., in way of which the ship has double sides, which add to her strength and safety. They are specially designed for self trimming, the wings being carried well into the hatch combings. They are also of advantage when ore or coal cargoes are carried, presenting a smooth surface which is easily cleaned down, and preventing the lodging of dirt which occurs in ordinary vessels behind stringers and between the frames. The extra ballast improves the speed of the vessel when running light, and considerably reduces the “racing” of the machinery. It is under easy control, and saves the cost and delay of shipping other ballast, which ensures a safe passage in ordinary vessels.

The machinery consists of a first class set of triple-expansion engines and boilers, the cylinders 27 ½ in., 43in., and 73in. diameter, having a piston stroke of 48in.; there are large port openings to insure an easy passage of the steam, and so obtain the maximum energy from it. The main condenser has been specially designed to maintain a high vacuum in all seas, whilst special attention has been given to insure a high temperature in the boiler feed water. During the trial a vacuum of 28 inches of mercury was maintained.

Steam is generated in three large steel boilers adapted to work at a pressure of 180lbs. per square inch.

The engine-room auxiliaries are very complete, and include a number of duplex pumps of the builders “CEMEW” type, one of their large atmospheric winch condensers, Weir’s pumps and heater, etc.

Special attention has been paid in the design and construction of the vessel and machinery to insure the utmost economy in fuel and upkeep. With this in view the vessel has been built on fine lines and a bronze propeller has been fitted, which with the special features of the engine design named above, will enable the maximum amount of cargo to be carried a fair average speed on a very low consumption of coal.

The hull and machinery have been constructed under the superintendence of Mr. Filip Lindahl, assisted by Mr. C. A. Olsen and Mr. D. Bore. The two former gentlemen represented the owners on the trial, Captain J. E. Murrell represented the builders of the ship, and Mr. Maurice S. Gibb the engine builders.

A speed of 12 ½ knots was maintained, the performance of the ship and machinery being highly satisfactory.

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