Cairns Morning Post, Wednesday 29 April, 1908.
NOTES AND NEWS
OVERHAUL TO STEAMER.
On returning to Sydney the Adelaide
Company's steamer Yongala,
will go into dock for a thorough
overhaul and survey, lasting three
weeks. Her running will be taken
up by the Buninyong.
Five years to the day from launch.
The Adelaide Steamship Company dutifully carried out important maintenance on their vessels and the Buninyong, Howard Smith Line, filled Yongala's shoes. This illustrates the fact that the major Interstate coastal shipping lines, consolidated into a 'combine', complimented each others' services, rather than competing. Although Buninyong was 25 years old, she was by no means beyond her prime and capabilities. Not as fast as Yongala, she could make 12 knots.
The Buninyong:
launched 1883 by Caird, Purdie and Co - Barrow-In-Furness
gross tons 2070
length 280 ft.
beam 38 ft.
draught 11.48 ft.
depth 20 ft.
"They (and Gabo) were also the most luxurious vessels yet to join the trade, with accommodation for about 200 passengers, though only a limited number were in cabins. The majority of passengers were carried in segregated saloons, and when required extra sofa beds could be put up at night in the dining saloon, which was one of the main features of these two ships."
(courtesy: 'Coast to Coast’ by Peter Plowman)
The Sydney Morning Herald, Wednesday 13 June, 1883.
THE BUNINYONG.
The latest addition to the already numerous fleet, of steamers
owned by Messrs. Howard Smith and sons is the Buninyong,
which arrived at Melbourne on Sunday last. The following
description of the vessel, and of her voyage cut is taken from the
Age of Monday :- The Buninyong was built at Barrow-in-Furness,
and launched on the 25th of last January. The hull is
entirely of steel, with a double bottom and seven watertight
bulk-heads, the bottom being capable of holding 600 tons of water
ballast. Her dimensions are - length between perpendiculars,
280 feet; beam, 38 feet; and depth of hold, 20 feet, which gives
the net tonnage as, 1289; and the gross 2070 tons. She is, however,
able, to carry 3000 tons, and on leaving Liverpool she had 2800
tons of coal on board, on a mean draft of 18 feet 3 inches. On deck
she has no less than five steam winches, five derricks and ten
steam whips, which, added to the hatches being very large, will
enable her to discharge and take in cargo with the greatest
despatch. The windlass is one of Harfield and Co's patent, and
the steam steering gear is by Muir and Caldwell - acknowledged
to be the best of all. The engines are by Messrs. James Jack and
Co., of Liverpool, and are of the most approved type. They are
of the compound surface condensing principle, the high pressure
cylinder being 36 inches, and the low pressure 70 inches, with a
four feet stroke, the horse power being 300 nominal and 1200
indicated. The boilers are four in number and built of steel,
carrying a pressure of 95lb, and it is anticipated that she will
prove herself a 12-knot boat, no trial as yet having been had of
her steaming qualities, the entire passage having been made at
a trifle over half speed, special instructions to such
effect having been issued to Captain Stanford prior to leaving.
On deck she has a very long poop and a topgallant forecastle. In
the former is the accommodation for saloon passengers, and it is
approached from a large deckhouse by a doorway from either
side, and a spacious staircase balustraded off by a doorway from either
banisters. In this house or companion, which is lighted by a
skylight running the whole length of it, are stained glass windows,
and all round are also windows stained and decorated. On
the forward portion of the house are two apartments of about 10
feet by 12 feet, beautifully furnished. The one on the starboard
side is specially set apart for a ladies' retiring room, and contains
one of Broadwood's pianos, while the one on the port is devoted
to the gentlemen as a smoking or card room.
The Buninyong was opulently furnished and contributed to the cache of the Interstate coastal service, enduring for 40 years, ultimately scuttled in the Ship's Graveyard (1926).
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