THE GREAT EASTERN.

Inangahua Times, Volume IX, Issue 1416, 20 June 1884, Page 2

THE GREAT EASTERN.

An English paper states concerning the steamer Great Eastern : Arrangements are in progress to begin work upon this vessel very shortly to fit her for her new career of usefulness in Gibraltar Bay as a coal hulk. The project is viewed with favour by the Admiralty, as the Great Eastern will affect a great improvment in the bay by dispensing with the multitude of small coal hulks which now encumber the harbor. The company having tho matter in hand have carefully calculated the suitability of this gaiut of naval architecture for a coal hulk. Her paddle engines and boilers are to be removed, so that she will steam out to Gibraltar with her pcrow prepeller only, which it is reckoned will allow of a specvl of over nine knots per hour. Before proceeding sho is to have

iinmerons side ports added to those ! already existing, by which the coal will be received for storage purposes. The coal from these, ports, will by its own gravitation, run into a variety of receptacles, some well above the water line, others below. The vessel is to have powerful hydraulic cranes on the upper deck, whereby the steam colliers from Cardiff and Newcastle bringing thecoal willhe very quickly discharged, t'ms saving greatly in cost oa the existing system as practised at Gahraltar. The coal, once on board, will be shutdown into the bunker receptacles on board the Atlantic and other large steamers taking iv their coal alongside. A further advantage is that the Great Eastern will give such shelter that coaling from her in the bay can, it is expected, proceed iv weather when it is quite impracticable with smaller hulks. It is considered " that these various advantages will at length open out for this vossel a trade in which her size will be a positive recommendation and'economy, in lieu of, as hitherto, an impediment to success. The vessel will be fitted with the electric light, so as to be ready to take, iv coal and deliver it at night as well as by day. lb is intended also to introduce the telephone on board for the rapid transmission of orders from cud to end of the ship, which measures nearly one eighth of a mile in length. It is worthy of note that the exportation of coal last year to Gibraltar amounted to 485,160 tons.