Glasgow And Ships Of The Clyde

The CAPE FINISTERRE carries an Iron Ore Smelting Plant from Ardrossan (Scotland) to Tasmania

From: Ardrossan & Saltcoats Herald dated 1874

THE CAPE FINISTERRE A NOVEL CARGO

During the past week a good deal of local interest has been felt in this new ship, loading here for Tasmania.

   The CAPE FINISTERRE has been built for Messrs Abram Lyle & Sons, of Greenock, by Messrs Thomas Wingate & Co., Whiteinch, Glasgow. Her register tonnage is 881 tons; carrying power about 1300 tons. She is in every respect a first class vessel, and has been finished in a most superior style.

Her great strength may be judged from the fact that in her construction about 70 tons more iron has been used than is required by Lloyds.     The poop contains saloon, chief officers? berths, stewards? pantry, state rooms &C. These are all commodious, light, and airy. The saloon is tastefully panelled in teak, mahogany, and birds eye maple; the roof painted white and gold, with gold cornicing. The house on deck contains cook?s galley, and ample accommodation for under officers and apprentices. The forecastle has been constructed with a proper regard for the comfort of the men. It is large, well ventilated, and supplied with sliding tables for the men?s use when at meals or when off duty.

   On the top of forecastle is Watson & Ewing?s Patent Windlass; on the top of poop, steerage gear of the most approved description; and in their places elsewhere, a full complement of lifeboats. We need hardly say that where so much attention has been paid to the interior fittings, the general harmony of proportions would not be neglected. She is a beautiful model, with a tasteful and well designed figurehead. Captain Bryson is master.

   The CAPE FINISTERRE was brought here to take in as cargo the complete plant for smelting iron ore in Tasmania, in which province this valuable metal has been discovered in a large quantity, and of superior quality. The works are to be erected near Launceston, about two days? sail from Melbourne, by the British and Tasmanian Charcoal Iron Company (Limited); and it is interesting to notice that this is the first exportation of Blast Furnace plant to the Australian Colonies of any importance, and may be the beginning of a large trade of this kind.

   We learn, too, that the furnishers of the plant are all West Country firms. Messrs Andrew Barclay & Sons, Kilmarnock, supply the machinery and ironwork: Messrs A. Kenneth & Son, Kilwinning and Messrs Loudon & Russell, Newmains, the bricks and furnace blocks.    In addition the vessel takes out all the necessary tools of every description for carrying on the works when started. About a dozen mechanics go out to assist in the erection and in the smelting operations - the management, we understand, having been entrusted to a gentleman of considerable experience - Mr Robert Scott, late of Coltness Ironworks and Addiewell Oil Works,.

   The comfort of the men while on the passage has been seen to in the arrangements made. Messrs James McEwen & Co., of Melbourne and London, are the shippers, and act as agents for the Company in this country; and it is not the least interesting circumstance in connection with this shipment that a member of the firm in Melbourne is Mr William Kerr Thomson, an Ayrshire man, and the son of a former Provost of Irvine.

   The CAPE FINISTERRE cleared out on Thursday, having received extraordinary despatch from the harbour officials.