The Sun.
London, England, 1857-08-24 00:00:00

THE' AUSTRALASI AN SCREW STEAM-

SR IP.

GLASGOW, FRIDAY.

This magnificent iron steamer, built by Messrs.
J. and G. Thomson, Clyde Bank, for the European
and Australian Company, left the Bioonhelaw
to-day for Southampton, whence she will soon
make her maiden passenger trip. She was launched
on the 10th of June last. The Australasian is
of 2,800 tons builders' measurement, is 360 feet
over all, 42 feet beam, and will be propelled by
means of a three-bladed screw by two direct acting
engines of 700-horse power. She has six tubular
boilers, which are covered with felt and then with
lead, by which heat is retained and fuel econo-
mised. These are fired by 30 furnaces. There are
two 90-inch cylinders, with a ai feet stroke. These
aro also covered with felt, overlaid with teakwood,
which imparts to the ponderous machinery an
appearance quite ornamental.
The poop, instead of being fitted up as a dining
saloon, as is generally the case with the Atlantic
steamships, is here appropriated to 60 sleeping
cabins, which will be exceed;ngly airy. These, of
course, will be favourite berths in a tropical voyage.
The saloon is consequently placed below upon the
main deck. It need only be said of it that
it is a spacious and most handsome hall, with a
space of eight feet between floor and ceiling, and
capable of accommodating 180 first-class passangera
comfortably at dinner. On each side and for-
ward extend a long line of comfortable cabins,
there being in all sleeping accommodation for 200
first class passengers and for 60 second-class, along,
also, with a very pretty saloon for the latter class
iu the forward part of the ship. At night the
cabins are fully lighted, but, as in other first-
class modern steamers, the light itself is be-
yond the reach of the passenger, who thus cannot
either thoughtlessly or sinfully harm himself or
endanger the ship by means of fire. There are
seven bathrooms, both for plunge and shower, 21.
water-closets, &e. In fact, there are the elements
of oomfort visible in every direction, for even the
looking-glass on the wall turns on a ball and socket,
by which it can be easily brought in juxtaposition
with the passenger's face, whatever may be the lay
or heel of the ship.
Below the saloons and after-cabins are store-
rooms, powder magazine, two mailrooms, and a bul-
lion room. The mailrooms are lined with zinc
throughout, and have capacity for carrying letters,
papers, despatches, and parcels to the total weight
of 60 tons. The bullion room is also coated with
zinc, containing an iron strong box of the mosth
w
solid and ponderous construction, secured with
e to
treasitsi
Chubb's locks, and capable of carrying
the weight of 10 tons. The spirit-reonl ralle
apparatus, store 5 apartment, is water-tight,
lined with zinc, and this, like every other separa.e
In the after-hold are taneke
indeed, the ship might
tons of fresh water ; but, t
rat all, for she has a
safely sail without any water
most beautiful and efficient cdalisctuillalitng e:
element into fresh at the
salt
which will convert the
rate of 2,500 gallons per day. An immense quan-
tityeri necessarily used daily in a ship
of h -it wat . .
of this kiwi, for cleaning, washing, and bathing
but irrespective of these •
purposes ; , . . , a pipe leads
from the fresh water distillery in the afterhold water
tanks, and by this means an overflowing store of
this essential element is always kept on hand. This
distilling apparatus is worked by a powerful engine,
separate from and independent of the great engine s
which propel the ship, and may be, and will bri
applied to other important purposes. We may
allude to a very important, and, as applied to a
vessel of this kind, a novel adjunct, in the slap 3 of
a ballast tank, capable of holding 450 tons of water.
This tank may, if necessary, be filled with coals in
the first instance, and as these are consumed then
. place is supplied with such a weight of water as may
preserve the ship in the best sailing trim. The
filling and emptying of the tank is done by a povrer-