Kapunda - Trial

NEW PASSENGER STEAMER

Daily Mail , ****1908.

TRIAL TRIP OF THE s.s. KAPUNDA.

The handsome steel screw steamer Kapunda, built by Messrs. Wm. Gray and Co. Ltd., West Hartlepool, to the order of Messrs. The Melbourne Steamship Company, Limited, Melbourne, was taken for her trial trip on Saturday 19th.  This is the fourth steamer built by Messers. Wm. Gray and Co,. Ltd. For this well known firm.

The vessel carries a Board of Trade Passenger certificate, and takes the highest class at Lloyd’s. Her principal dimensions are ; length over all, 341ft.; breadth, **ft.; depth, 23ft. 9in. She has a full poop, extra long bridge, and topgallant forecastle, the bulwarks being carried the same height as the bridge, with large doors for taking in cattle and cargo.

There is a handsome and specially lofty dining saloon, in a house on the bridge deck, fitted up in light oak, with morocco leather upholstery, and party tables, having large skylight overhead with ornamental glass, and a music room leading off the saloon similarly fitted up, with a handsome piano, specially built to stand the Australian climate.  The gentleman’s smoke-room buffet, and bar is fitted up in mahogany, and on the large promenade deck above is a handsomely-furnished ladies’ boudoir.

There will is accommodation for a large number of first class passengers, in addition to stewards and stewardesses, in houses on the bridge deck, and for third class passengers accommodation is made in poop and poop deck houses, the officers, engineers, and crew being housed in the bridge.

The galley is fitted with up-to-date appliances, including steam cooker, steam boiler, etc., with lift to pantry. There is a very efficient installation of electric lighting, bells, refrigerating machinery, and cold chambers. The decks are sheathed in “Kauri” pine, and ventilation has received very careful attention to suit the Australian climate.

The hull is built with deep bulb-angle frames, and seven watertight bulkheads, and the vessel is schooner rigged. The design has been well thought out for the vessel’s special trade by the builders, in conjunction with Mr. J.H. Hallett, Pattison and Co. of Cardiff.    

She is designed for a high rate of speed, and is supplied by the Central Marine Engine Works of Wm. Gray and Co., Ltd., with their well known type of triple-expansion engines, having cylinders  25in., 41in., and 68in. Diameter, and 48in stroke, and three large steam boilers adapted to work at a pressure of 200lbs. Per square inch, in conjunction with Howden’s system of forced draught. The engine room will be replete with all the latest accessories including Weir’s pump, and centrifugal circulating pump, “central” evaporator, Webster’s combined feed heater and ballast donkey, See’s ahs ejector, bronze propeller, and a very liberal supply of spare gear.

The vessel and machinery have been built under the superintendence of Messrs. J.H. Hallett, Pattison and Co., Cardiff. Mr Hallet attended the trial on behalf of the owners, and Captain J.E. Leask was in command. Captain J.E. Murrel represented the shipbuilders and Mr Maurice S. Gibb the engine builders. The average speed registered by the log was ** knots, the maximum being 14 knots **ded ship.

The trial was a very satisfactory one and the vessel on it’s completion proceeded on her voyage to Australia.

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