Derwent River - launch

Northern Daily Mail, Saturday, February 13, 1915.

S.S. Swan River

Messrs. Irvine’s Shipbuilding and Dry Docks Co. Ltd., have just completed to the order of Messrs. Furness, Withy and Co. Ltd., for the British Empire  Steam navigation Co. Ltd., London, the steel screw-steamer Derwent River.

The dimensions of the vessel are 400ft by 52ft by 29ft 6ins depth moulded, carrying over 8000 tons on a moderate draft. She is built to British Corporation classification, having a single deck of steel with poop, bridge and forecastle, and water ballast is carried in cellular double bottom and fore and after peaks. The vessel is constructed with deep frames and longitudinal stringers, giving clear holds for the stowage of bulky cargoes, and is divided into seven watertight compartments by six tranverse bulkheads. Wood grain divisions are fitted throughout the holds to Board of Trade regulations; four large hatches are provided, together with a cross bunker hatch; and the vessel is replete with all the latest facilities for the rapid loading and discharging of cargo, including 10 steam winches and 10 derricks. A powerful quick-warping steam windlass is fitted forward and combined steam and hand steering gear is fitted in a house aft with telemotor attachment to the bridge. A large ice house is also fitted for the crew’s provisions etc.

The captain, officers, and engineers are berthed in large houses amidships, and the crew and firemen in the poop. The lighting, heating and sanitary arrangements have received special attention, the most improved methods being adopted throughout.

The machinery, which has been constructed by Messrs. Richardsons, Westgarth and Co. Ltd., Hartlepool, consists of a set of “Richardsons” standard triple expansion engines, having cylinders 25ins, 40ins and 68ins, by 48ins, with three large boilers working at 180lbs pressure. The condenser is of the Contraflo type, and the engine room auxiliaries include a Contraflo winch condenser, cascade filter, Morison’s evaporator etc.

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