Plate XXXII.THE CHINA NAVIGATION COMPANY'S T.-SS. "FENGTIEN."Larger image
Plate XXXII.
THE CHINA NAVIGATION COMPANY'S T.-SS. "FENGTIEN."
Larger image
We have referred generally to the passenger accommodation in the ships built by the firm, and it may beinteresting to refer here to the character of the work done and illustrated onPlate XXVII., facing page 73. The first view shows the dining-room of one of four Portuguese steamers. This room is designed in the Jacobean style. The walls are framed and panelled in solid walnut, and all the mouldings, cornices, architraves, pilasters, columns, pediments, and also the furniture, are beautifully carved. The floor is laid in mosaic tiles, in geometrical patterns, with Brussels carpet runners in the passage-ways. The ceiling is of yellow pine, moulded, ribbed, and broken up with carved panels, painted a flat white and relieved with gold. The dome skylight is in teak, with richly-carved beams and mouldings; and glazed with embossed plate glass, while the side windows are fitted with jalousie blinds, stout double-line teak shutters, and glass bull's-eyes in brass frames. The upholstery is in crimson Utrecht velvet, and seating accommodation is provided for sixty-eight saloon passengers.
The other view onPlate XXVII. illustrates the drawing-room of the steam yachtForos, built for M. Kousenzoff, of Moscow. It is in the Elizabethan style. The walls are framed in solid East Indian satinwood, highly finished and French polished, with figured silk tapestry panels of a shade that harmonises and blends with the wood-work. Neat and delicate carving in low relief is introduced where most effective. The ceiling, of yellow pine, has square panels of Tynecastle tapestry, relieved with rich carving in cornices and beams. The room is lighted and ventilated by eight large round lights in the ship's side, each enclosed in a recess with a sliding screen of beautifully-stained and leaded glass. The large circular skylight in the centre of the room, finished to suit the ceiling, has large opening sashes, glazed with stained glass. The floor is laid with oak parquetry, with a Parisian mat in the centre. The room is heated by a slow-combustion grate with rich brassmounts, tiled hearth, fire-brasses and fender. The mantelpiece and overmantel, in satinwood, is a beautiful piece of work—carved and relieved with colonnades and pilasters. This room is fitted with a complete installation of electric bells and lights, with two graceful electric candelabra, one on each side of the fireplace. The stained glazing is illumined at nights by electric lights on the outside. The drawing-room is completely and artistically furnished with high mirrors, fitments, writing-tables, card and occasional tables, and with a variety of beautifully upholstered chairs and sofas. All the metal-work is of ormolu.
The British India Steam Navigation Company is another of the old clients of the Scotts. This Company, originally formed in 1856, under the title of the Calcutta and Burmah Steam Navigation Company, which was changed in 1862 to the title now known in all maritime countries, had its first steamship built by the Scotts, and it is therefore interesting to illustrate the one recently built at the same Works—theBharata. This vessel is of the intermediate type, carrying a large number of British and native passengers, and nearly 4000 tons of cargo. The length between perpendiculars is 373 ft., the beam 45 ft., and the depth, moulded, 29 ft. 6 in. The cargo carried on a draught of 24 ft. is 3940 tons, and this is handled by eight hydraulic cranes, some of them of high power. The passenger accommodation, in the centre part of the ship, includes state rooms and saloons for forty-two first-class and thirty-six second-class European travellers, while in the 'tween decks a large number of native passengers are accommodated.
The machinery of theBharatagives a speed of 16 knots, when the displacement is 5560 tons. The engines are of the triple-expansion type, and develop 6000 indicated horse-power. Five single-ended boilers supply steam at 180 lb. pressure. This vessel in servicecarries her cargo of about 4000 tons and her passengers at a speed of 16 knots, for a consumption of ordinary coal of about 50 tons per day.