The Gisborne Times PUBLISHED EVERY MORNING. GISBORNE, APRIL 11, 1902. A MAMMOTH STEAMER.

Gisborne Times, Volume VII, Issue 387, 11 April 1902, Page 2

The Gisborne Times PUBLISHED EVERY MORNING. GISBORNE, APRIL 11, 1902. A MAMMOTH STEAMER.

It is to lie hoped that when the big steamer Athenic reaches Gisborne as it will do shortly, some arrangement will be made for excursion trips so that the people may get an opportunity of inspecting the vessel. The Athenic made quite a stir on arrival in Wellington, where the people are accustomed to see the largest steamers that come to the colony. A Wellington correspondent writes, stating that rarely has there been such a crowd seen on the wharf as there was on Sunday, when the Athenic was thrown open foe iha

public lo inspect. “The great ship,” writes the correspondent, “ the largest ship ever seen in New Zealand waters, lies at the end of the wharf, and there towers on a level with the look-out towers at the end of the wharf. The deck is an extraordinary heignt above the wharf, and the people leaning over look qifite small- The steamer is- a monster, and for the past week has oeen (he admiration of all.” The writer then goes on to describe how the great crowd collected when the big White Star liner was thrown open for inspection. “It is not easy to gain the deck, and two gangways, at an angle, had been arranged, the upper otie being so precipitous that it was fearsome to watch devoted parents, babes in arms, climbing up it. At the foot of the gangway, a sailor kept guard, with the good natured obstinacy characteristic of the British tar. Tile huge crowd at his back nearly sent him headlong up the gangway, rough men threatened, pretty girls smiled, and old women cajoled, hut he stood firm and let them on in driblets, as were his directions. When we left, the crowd was still increasing, and, though the ship was a hive of curious inspectors, must have numbered considerably over a thousand, swaying backwards and forwards, crushing unfortunate women and children uncomfortably, hut. willing to stay on in the dim hope of getting on board, hundreds had turned away in despair. Size is the main feature of the boat, but the dining saloon and social hall strike one as small in comparison with the huge ship. The smoking-room is an exquisite harmony of gold and copper red, the stamped leatner being of rich bronze red, and the wails embossed with gold. Each window is worth studying, being a marine design with water nymphs and dolphins. On the wall of this room, is a notice, in which the owners of the snip ask mo occupants to abstain from objectionable language or high play ! The best state-rooms are most luxurious, and the cupboards, a chest of drawers, little square windows, with dainty lace curtains, and deiigntiul spring beds. Altogether, the crowd expressed its liign approval of tnese, and its willingness to go home in trie Atnenic next trip, n a chance were onereu. A striking leature of me snip is tne immense deck space. Wide and long promenaues are on either side, aim in one piace there Is a sort oi great embrasure in which a dance could he neld easily.” The correspondent did not diiateon the cargo-carrying capacity of the steamer, winch is enormous, it wouin he interesting when the steamer arrives at Gisborne, to have some information as to the despatch or delay in the loading as compared with other ports^