The Northern Daily Times.
Liverpool, Merseyside, England, 1856-11-24 00:00:00

THE NEW AUSTRALIAN SHIP, M‘LEOD

It is a matter of no surprise to find new and magnificent
ships in Liverpool, but it is a matter of some difficulty to
find words to say something new about them, as the nautical
vocabulary appears all but exhausted on this subject.
Amongst the number of noble vessels now loading for Aus-
tralia, there is one that claims attention, she is named
as above, and belongs to the 6' Mersey" line of Australian
packets—Mr. E. Thompson—a new clipper ship of 1,365
tons (capable of carrying over 2,000 tons), possessing pecu-
liar features of beauty in naval architecture, and built with
the finest symmetrical lines and proportions, such as strike
the eve and command the attention, even of a landsman.
Her hull is faultless, and her rigging of that quality that
agrees admirably with the poetic idea of " Is she not
beautiful?" Her tall taper masts—now gracefully rising—
and see how she casts the foam from her bows, as the light
fi.tting gales, in gusts from land and sea, are filling her
sails! If her outline is handsome, her interior is not only
so, but amply commodious, elegant, and comfortable. It is
good that a ship should look well exteriorly, but it is
indispensable in a passenger ship, particularly in one bound
for Australia, that her interior should not only look well,
but be so in reality. The M'Leod, in these points, can
vie with any vessel in the trade—and that is no small
matter—and challenge competition with her neighbours.
The great majority of passengers going to the colony now
take second cabin berths, and, to the credit of shipowners,
they have provided for the com'ort and convenience of this
class with liberal hands. Still there has been improvements
regaired, and the owners of the M`Leod have adopted all
that is requisite. The cabins of this ship, set apart for the
class of passengers spoken of, are on the poop, and this is
of importance in many respects, particularly in the vital
principles of health, ventilation and light—essentials of
prim try influence. The steerage berths, too, claim atten-
tion ; these are lofty, ample and well cared for, ventilated
in the best manner, and affording accommodation not often
to b, frond in vessels destined for long voyages. The grand
cabin is a model, such as the most fastidious cannot find
fault with. Another point, not to be overlooked, is the
hospital department, which is situated on the main deck—a
point which has long been contended for by medioal
authorities, on the proper ground, that patients are much
better provided for in deck hospitals than if placed below,
as, on deck, fresh air—a great ingredient towards health—
can he admitted, and where they are always within a
moment's notice of the surgeon, who can instantly attend
on them. This department, and the ship generally (in a
medical point) is under the superintendence of Mr. Robert
Colles, a gentleman of high attainments in the profession.
A good ship should have an equally good, experienced, and
qualified commander, and Captain Galbraith possesses
these, and is also known for his gentlemanly and polite
attention to passengers of all grades. Looking at the ship
in all points, she is a desirable one for passengers, and it
may be fairly presumed that this, her first voyage, will be
rapid, and such as to establish her reputation, as a sea-going
vessel in all respects.