["The Latest in Cargo Steamers", The Shipping World, 16 October 1907]

THE LATEST IN CARGO STEAMERS.

About two months ago - in our issue of August 7 - we drew attention to the launch of a remarkable cargo steamer from the famous Cleveland Dockyard of Messrs. Sir Raylton Dixon & Co., Ltd., Middlesborough-on-Tees. We gave particulars of the vessel's construction which amply justified our description of her as "the record cantilever steamer," and, indeed, she is considered by experts to be the most complete and up-to-date cargo boat afloat. Although launched so recently as July 29 last, the Echunga ran her official trials from the Tees on the 3rd inst., and we expect that ere these lines are read she will be in service. Considering the size and equipment of the boat, both of which are well indicated in the accompanying illustration, this is exceedingly smart and creditable work on the part of the builders. But, then, she comes from a yard that has a great reputation to maintain.

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Midship Section of Messrs. Sir Raylton Dixon & Co.'s Cantilever-framed Topside Tank Steamer.

The claims of the Echunga on the attention of shipbuilders and marine engineers, and shipowners especially, may be briefly recapitulated. She is the largest of the cantilever-framed topside tank steamers with complete shelter deck for horses or cattle yet built by Messrs, Sir Raylton Dixon & Co., Ltd., under the patents of Harroway and Dixon, John Priestman, and Livingstone and Sanderson, and she has been designed and constructed to fulfil the special requirements of the extensive coal, ore, and cattle trade carried on by her owners, the Adelaide Steamship Co., Ltd., of Adelaide, South Australia. Her leading dimensions are 405 ft. by 56 ft. by 26 ft. 8 in, moulded. She will carry about 8,400 tons on her assigned load line, and has capacity for over 11,000 tons measurement cargo. How effectively equipped she is as a cargo boat may be seen from a recital of the following facts:--She will carry a deadweight of about 3 ¾ times her net register tonnage, the latter being 2,245 and the former 8,400 tons on 23 ft. 9 in, draught. Her water-ballast tanks will contain 3,200 tons, of which 1,350 is placed in the topside tanks, and the remainder in double bottom and peaks; and thus, when the vessel is to sail in ballast trim, the propeller will be immersed, and she will consequently be in excellent trim for speed results and in good sea-going condition. Her hatchways are of extraordinary size, all being 30 ft. wide and the longest 42 ft, long. She is a perfect self-trimmer, and her holds are absolutely clear of any obstruction, such as beams, webs, or pillars. She has unique facilities for loading and discharging her cargo, being fitted with no less than 14 derricks and 8 gaffs having 25 steam winches which will enable 32 gangs of coal heavers to discharge her 8,400 tons of coal in 48 hours.

The shelter 'tween decks are specially arranged for cattle, horses, or troops, and a complete system of cattle-watering arrangements is provided both in 'tween and on shelter decks. Heavy stanchions are fitted around the shelter deck, at suitable distances apart, to which wood framing for the exposed cattle pens will be attached. The vessel is otherwise very complete in accommodation for officers, crew, and cattlemen - and has a complete installation of electric lights.

Triple-expansion engines, which are placed right aft, have been fitted by Messrs. Richardson, westgarth & Co., Ltd, Middlesbrough, having cyliuders 272 in., 441n., and 75 in. by 48 in. stroke supplied with steam by four single-ended boilers working at -i80 lbs. pressure. It may be added here that Messrs, R. T. Bruce & Co., of Hull, have coated the bottom of the vessel with their well-known "Nomos" composition, as they have also just coated the new steamer Urilla, belonging to the same line.

The trial trips passed off most successfully, the vessel attaining an average speed of [?12 ½] knots, after which she returned to the Tees, whence she was to sail to Cardiff and London to load for Australia under the command of Captain Thomas H. Allen. The Echunga has been built to the highest class in the British Corporation under the personal supervision of the owners' representative in England--Captain Charles Dingle, with Mr. James Stewart, of Newcastle-on-Tyne, consulting engineer for the company.

notes:

copy found in Noel Butlin Archives Centre, N46/1127