["A Remarkable Vessel", The Sydney Morning Herald, Saturday 08 February 1908, page 13]
A REMARKABLE VESSEL.
THE ECHUNGA DUE TO-MORROW.
WORLD'S LARGEST CANTILEVER STEAMER.
Interest is manifested in shipping and waterside circles in connection with the Adelaide Steamship Company new steamer Echunga - the largest cantilever steamer in the world - which will arrive at Sydney on her malden visit to-morrow. She was built but a few months ago by Sir Raylton Dixon and Co., Ltd , of Middlesborough, and sailed from London on November 23, calling at Capetown on her way to Australia. The Echunga touched at Fremantle and Albany, and then proceeded direct to Brisbane, from which port she left yesterday for Sydney.
The Echunga is a vessel of 2245 tons net, but her dead-weight carrying capacity is 8400 tons, and measurement capacity over 11000 tons. The length of the vessel is 405 feet, her breadth being 56 feet, and her depth moulded 26 feet 8 inches. She has a shelter deck for the purpose of carrying horses and cattle, for she is intended for the extensive coal, ore, and cattle trade carried on by the Adelaide Steamship Co. When sailing light she can take on board 3200 tons of water ballast, of which 1350 tons is in the topside tanks, and this gives tho satisfactory condition of immersion and stability. It is now usual to run the ship's frames under the sloping bottom of the tanks, which enables the tank bottom to be unpierced, the strength of the ship's side being effectively maintained by means of brackets.
In combination with theso very large hatchways there is associated a most extensive system of derricks for handling the cargo. In the Echunga there aro 14 derricks, eight gaffs, and 25 steam winches, which will enable her 8400 tons of coal to be discharged in 48 hours. The vessel cannot be described as beautiful, but she has, at any rate, the beauty of utility.
The advantages claimed for this new method in the construction of cargo steamers are: (1) Reduction of the registered tonnage combined with convenient and large cargo capacity; (2) provision of large compartments for the carrying of water ballast; (3) elimination of hold obstructions and the provision of very large hatchways; and (4) combinations of material which save weight, while at the same time providing satisfactory strength, the weight thus saved being at the disposal of the shipowner for carrying greater weight of cargo.
