Sydney Morning Herald (NSW : 1842 - 1954), Wednesday 23 November 1887, page 10


THE ELINGAMITE

The steamship Elingamite which Messrs Huddart Parker and

Co. have just had built to replace the lost Corangamite, arrived in port yesterday afternoon from Newcastle-on-Tyne via Fredriks-stadt, Plymouth, and Melbourne, after a very successful passage. Captain P. W. Bull, late of the Lindus and

Nemesis, has brought the vessel out, and as usual he has been

most fortunate with his charge. A full description of the Elingamite has already appeared in the Herald, and a visit to her more than bears out the favourable opinions then expressed in regard to her. In all main essentials she is a

counterpart of the Burrumbeet; but there are certain improvements, which add to the attractiveness, and value of the ship. She was built by Messrs C. S. Swan and Hunter of New-castle-on-Tyne, and is a steel screw-steamer, 320 feet in length, 40 feet 9 inches in breadth, and 22 feet 3 in depth, her capacity being 4000 tons cubic measurement. The hull is double-bottomed for water ballast, of which 400 tons can be carried;

and it is divided by bulkheads into watertight

compartments. The passenger accommodation of the vessel will compare favourably with that of any steamer. The saloon is the full width of the ship and is furnished in an elegant, though quiet style, while the rooms are large, thoroughly well ventilated and lighted, and fitted in the most complete manner. There is accommodation in this part of the ship for 100 passengers.

The music-room and smoking-room are each apartments that will command many admirers. The ship is fitted throughout with the electric light, and it has worked exceedingly well during the voyage, but in case of accident oil lamps are placed in every room. Forward, the Elingamite has accommodation for 100 passengers in the steerage. The vessel is supplied with compound engines on the triple expansion principle, which are at 1800 horse-power indicated, having cylinders of 25 inches, 41 inches and 67 inches in diameter respectively, with a stoke of 42 inches. They drive pressed at a speed of 14 knots. The boilers are of steel.

There is a complete equipment of winches, etc., for cargo haulage; the vessel is fitted with steam steering-gear, and in every respect seems a splendid ship, and fitted and furnished without regard to cost. Her boats and life-saving gear are a feature of the vessel. The Elingamite is classed A1 at Lloyd's,

and has a Board of Trade certificate for foreign-going passengers, and is also available for Australian ser-vice as a troopship or transport. A further distinction has been conferred on the Elingamite by her having been selected by the Victorian Government to be fitted for service as an armed cruiser. The gun foundations are fitted, and the armament will consist of two 36-pounder Armstrong guns mounted on the fore-

castle and two on the poop, together with machine guns amid-ships for rapid-firing. The Elingamite is straight-stemmed and schooner-rigged. The two pole masts have a some-what scanty appearance, and the mainmast especially so, for the top carried away during the voyage.

Captain Bull was sent home specially by the owners to take chargo of the Elingamite, and the confidence reposed in him has not been misplaced. Captain Bull was formerly in the Lindus and Nemesis. The chief engineer, Mr Roberson, formerly of the Corangamite, was also despatched to England by the owners to superintend the placing of the machinery. Captain Bull speaks highly of the Elingamite as a grand seaboat, and Mr. Robertson affirms that the engines run beautifully. Of the voyage, Captain Bull reports as follows :-- The Elingamite left the Tyne at 10 a.m. on the 24th September, arrived at Fredriksstad on the 26th, and left again on the 29th September, after having taken in 421 standard dressed timber. Sho arrived at Plymouth on the 2nd October, having steamed about 1600 miles and taken in a large cargo in eight days' time,

which was regarded there as a very smart píece of work. After embarking passengers, a start was made from Plymouth at 1:30 p.m. on the 4th October. She passed Teneriffe at 2:15 a.m. on the 10th, and the Cape of Good Hope at 3 a.m. on the 29th, where signals were hoisted. Light N.E. trades were experienced; and strong S.E. Trades were fallen in with in 3 N., and carried right down to the Cape. The easting was run down on the parallel of 44 south, with strong N.W. to S.W. winds. The Elingamite proved herself to be an excellent sea boat; and the engines ran beautifully, not having had a drop of water on any of the working parts during the whole passage, which speaks volumes for the builders of them, the Wallsend Slipway and Engineering Company, Limited. Cape Otway was passod at 6 a.m. on the 20th November, and the vessel arrived in Hobson's Bay at 2.30 p.m. same date, after a fine passage of 36 days. After landing passengers and baggage, she left the bay at 3.30 p.m. on the 20th instant, passed the Promontory at 5.30 a.m. on the 21st, Gabo Island at 9 p.m.

same day, Cape St. George at 9.45 a.m. on the 22nd, and entered the Heads at 4.50 p.m. yesterday, berthing at the company's

wharf. Fine weather was met with during the run round. It may be mentioned that after the Elingamite's departure from Plymouth Mr. Huddart, who is in England, wrote to the firm to

meet the ship at Melbourne at 3 p.m. on the 20th of November,

and she arrived half-an-hour before that time.