SPRAY, SHOWER AND NEEDLE BATHS.

The West Australian (Perth) Tuesday, 24 November, 1903.

THE YONGALA. 

THE ADELAIDE S.S. CO.'S NEW

STEAMER.

The new steamer Yongala of the Adelaide 

Steamship Company, arrived at

Fremantle unexpectedly yesterday from

England. via Capetown and Durban. She

met with some bad weather on the way to

the Cape, but the rest of the voyage was

made under pleasant conditions. Captain

Sim is in command.

This vessel - the first of two which have

been constructed by Sir W. G. Armstrong,

Whitworth and Company, Limited, for the

Adelaide Steamship Company - was taken

to sea for a trial trip on Wednesday, September 

30 last. After a series of progressive runs, 

the vessel attained a speed of 15.8 knots per hour, 

and as a performance of 14 knots has been 

guaranteed, the trial was considered very satisfactory.

Sister ship SS Grantala, also launched 1903, 3714 gross tons (3655), 

350 ft. length, 45.2 ft. beam and 27.2 ft. depth (wikipedia). From appearances

and dimensions, Grantala was identical to Yongala. One could assume that

her net tonnage was in the region of 1825.  

The vessel has been designed from special

plans arranged in Australia to fulfill the passenger 

and cargo requirements of the coastal trade.

'The seamen's and firemen's berths are arranged 

in the forecastle and in the houses at the foremast.'

'Powerful electric fans are fitted in the engine room, 

and air trunks are led to all the living spaces.'

'The second class drawing room contains a first

class piano in a teak case by Messrs. Broadwood.'

Fix this textShe has a piano contained in teak wood by Messrs..a first class piano in a teak case by Messrs.

'The first-class lavatory accommodaton

is on an ample and luxurious scale, the

bathrooms and lavatories being fitted

out in the best and latest style for ship's

use by Messrs. Shanks, of Glasgow. Spray,

shower and needle baths are provided, and

hot and cold water is, of course, available

Fix this text

at any time.'

'The first-class state rooms are fitted

with Messrs. Hoskins's latest design of

spring berth, which has been arranged to

fold up against the bulkhead when not in

use, and thus practically leave the whole

of the space in the state room free. The

sofa berths are of Markham and Davies'

patent, made by Messrs. Hoskins, the

feature of this patent being that the

sleeping berths can be immediately 

converted to day use without the removal of

the bedding.'

'The vessel is lighted throughout by

electricity. The design of the fittings,

lamps, and their arrangements throughout

the vessel has been made the subject of

careful consideration, and the effect is

eminently pleasing. Eight air-propelling

fans are fitted in the ceiling of the first

class saloon.'

'The walls of the drawing room are paneled 

in polished walnut, elaborately moulded and 

carved, having inlaid panels of decorated anaglypta.'

anaglypta and lincrusta wallpaper, circa 1903.

'..in miniature with the arcading round the

saloon wall. This arcading supports the

cupola on the deck above, and the arches

between are elaborately turned and carved, 

and painted ivory colour. Comfortable easy chairs. 

writing and tea tables are provided. whilst round 

the wall an upholstered lounge has been fitted. 

The style of the architecture adopted is a free

Classic or Renaissance, with a suggestion

of the new school of Secession, and this

may be noticed in the original treatment

of window heads, and in the arcading of

the well and bookcase doors.'

'The ceiling is paneled and painted ivory colour, to

blend with the arcading of the well already 

mentioned. The two swing entrance doors 

are glazed with stained and leaded glass, 

in a design bearing the Company's crest 

and motto on a shield carried upon 

conventional ornament. The cupola is 

also of stained glass.'

example of stained, lead glass.

'On the half landing of the companion there is 

a drinking fountain, worked in hand-hammered 

brass and oxidised in silver, bearing round the rim 

of the basin in raised letters the old Scots' proverb, 

"Ye may gang faur'er an' fare waur."

'You might go further and do worse'. A touch of humour.

'The balustrading is treated in fret-out

ornamental forms, carved on face, and 

divided into spaces by upright moulded

posts, and have square turned balusters

between. This balustrading is carried

round small wells in the dining saloon,

which gives light and air to the children's

saloon.' 

an example of Victorian Fretwork.

'The dining saloon is similar in

style of design to the drawing room, but

is more elaborate in its detail and executed 

in oak-stained light brown and waxed polished. 

A feature of the dining saloon is the device for 

spreading the table glass round the room without 

inconveniencing the passengers. These have been

placed on octagonal, arched and revolving

racks, framed round all the stanchions

clear of the head and within the reach of

the stewards, being both useful and ornamental

as they serve as capitals to the pillars of saloon.'

'The smoking room is in some respects the

most original in treatment, the departure

being in the hand-hammered panels in

copper. These panels, from the designs

of the architect, have been hammered by

Mr. Kellock Brown. sculptor, Glasgow,

and represent the twelve signs of the Zodiac. 

Each panel introduces the emblem

of the month, associated or displayed by

female figure, draped in Greek costumes,

standing in relief from a half-moon, and

with the Greek symbol of the sign embossed 

underneath.'

example of William Kellock Brown sculpture.

'The decorative work of the first-class entrance, 

dining saloon, drawing room, and

smoke room has been carried out to the

designs supplied by Mr. J. M. Crawford,

architect, and president of the Glasgow

Art Club. The result is most effective,

and represents something entirely new in

decorative ship work.'

SS Grantala (wikipedia)