["Nor'-West Shipping Trade", The Western Mail (Perth, WA), Saturday 20 February 1909, page 14,26]

NOR'-WEST SHIPPING TRADE.

ADELAIDE COMPANY'S NEW STEAMER.

(See Illustrations.)

The Adelaide Company's new steamer Koombana, which arrived at Fremantle last week on her maiden voyage from Glasgow, has a special interest for the Western Australian public. She is the first passenger and cargo boat that has been built exclusively for service on the Western Australian coast. Her mission is to develop the Nor'-West trade. That she is admirably adapted for this purpose is beyond question. During the last few years the Adelaide Steamship Company have made several additions to their large fleet of inter-State vessels, and in the Koombana the acme of perfection as regards the comfort of passengers, facilities for handling cargo, and appliances for skilful navigation find expression. Several gentlemen interested in the shipping trade who at the invitation of Mr. W. E. Moxon, the company's general manager in this State, made an inspection of the steamer, marvelled at the courage of the Adelaide Company in placing such a fine boat in the Nor'-West trade. It is tangible evidence of the recognition of the growing importance of this service, and that the travelling public and those interested in the development of the great northern portion of the State will appreciate the enterprise of the Adelaide Company goes without saying.

The Koombana is a steamer of 3,760 tons register, and was constructed by Messrs. A. Stephen and Sons, Ltd., Glasgow. She is equipped for the carriage of passengers, cargo, and stock, her dimensions being 340ft. between perpendiculars, 48ft. 2in. beam, and 20ft. 8in. in depth. On a draught of 19ft. She can carry 4,000 tons of cargo. In her design special attention has been given to the fact that she will be engaged in a semi-tropical trade. Her decks are so many that a lift is almost required for transit purposes. Above the lower hold is the orlop deck, on top of which is the main deck. Higher up is the spar deck, on which the bulk of the passenger cabins and the dining saloons are situated. Over this again is a fine promenade deck, and going still higher the bridge and boat deck is reached. On top of all is the navigating bridge. Accommodation is provided for 300 first and second saloon passengers. Most of the cabins contain only two berths, and the appointments leave nothing to be desired. All the first-class staterooms are constructed on the island system, each division having a separate entrance from the deck, while easy access is obtained to the saloon. Electric fans are fitted in each cabin. The drawing and smoke rooms are located on the promenade deck, and both are handsomely appointed. Special attention has been paid to the colours of the upholstery, an effective scarlet shade predominating in the smoke room, while in the social room a harmonious and restful tone is produced in purple. The social or drawing room is fitted with portable lounges, and furnished in Waring and Co.'s best style. The walls, are treated with sycamore, the panellings being executed in satinwood. At one end is an elaborate bookcase with mullioned frames and bevelled glass, and containing an up-to-date library, and a Broadway piano, two Chippendale writing desks, occasional tables, electric fans, etc., are also included in the furnishings. The ceilings are composed of white painted canvas with gilt-edged floral design. The main entrance to the saloon is handsomely panelled in mahogany, and the stairway leading to the promenade deck is of the same material, with carved pilasters. The dining room in the first saloon has seating accommodation for 75 people. lt is roomy, and well ventilated, and the oak panellings and green upholstery give a quiet but withal pleasing effect.

In the culinary arrangements every detail has been well thought out. The most up-to-date appliances are provided in the galley and pantries, a feature of the kitchen being a patent electric egg boiler, by means of which an egg can be boiled to suit each individual's taste--soft, medium, or hard. In the bakehouse an electrically driven dough mixer is fitted up and 300 loaves a day can be turned out if necessary. Ample bathroom and lavatory accommodation is provided and generally speaking, the fittings throughout are of first-class description. The ventilation throughout the vessel has been very carefully attended to. On the main deck, running fore and aft of the vessel, excellent provision is made for the carriage of live-stock--an important branch of the Nor'-West trade. Besides the ordinary space for stores, refrigerating chambers are fitted up with a capacity of 1,800 tons of cubic space. With the exception of one steam crane at the No. 1 hatch for'ard, all the cranes are worked by hydraulic power. Clayton's fire extinguisher and fumigating plant is carried on board.

The navigating appliances are of the very latest and most improved design. On the bridge are a variety of instruments and machines undreamt of in the earlier days of steam navigation. There is Alfred Graham's patent telephone switch, by means of which the office on watch can converse with the captain in his cabin, the engineer in the engine room, or the officer on the poop. An indicator is provided by which automatically and silently directions can be given to the officer right aft when the vessel is being moored or leaving the wharf; a further indicator shows the exact position of the rudder, while the steering gear is controlled by a telemotor, the latest device for the safe navigation of a vessel. Electric side-lights, with auxiliary oil lamps, are provided, and should any of the navigating lights at the port or starboard side or at the masthead become by any means extinguished, an indicator gives immediate warning to the officer on the bridge. The officers' quarters are all conveniently situated.

The Koombana was brought out to Australia by Captain J. Rees, late of the s.s. Bullarra, and he will retain command of the new vessel. The steamer left for Melbourne last week to be docked. According to present arrangements she will then return to the West, and leave Fremantle on her initial trip to the Nor'-West on March 12. It is interesting to note that the vessel derives her name from Mr. R. Forrest's "Koombana" timber mill, near Bunbury.

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NEW STEAMER FOR THE NOR'-WEST. THE ADELAIDE STEAMSHIP COMPANY'S "KOOMBANA."