The cabins are 10 feet square, and a number of the sleeping berths can be drawn out so as to accommodate two people. For each cabin there is a fixed lavatory, supplied with fresh water from a patent tap, and by the removal of a small plug in the centre of the basin, the water runs away right into the sea, so that all slopping is avoided. The lavatory is fixed on top of a cupboard, which answers all the purposes of a little chiffoniere, being fitted up for the reception of bottles, glasses, brushes, etc.
There is also a chest of drawers in each cabin—a very great convenience—in which may be kept clothes, books, linen and many “unconsidered trifles,” which generally go knocking about in ships’ cabins at sea.
The windows in the cabins are large, admitting plenty of light and air, and the passengers have easy control over them. The ventilation, in fact, is all that could be desired. Good-sized looking-glasses and handy little racks for water-bottles, tumblers, combs, brushes, etc., also abound, and in other little matters the comfort of the passengers has been well cared for.
The cabins are also so arranged that two or more or even the whole of them on one side of the ship afford communication to each other without going out into the saloon, and where families are together this is very advantageous.
The bathroom occupies the space of one of the largest cabins, and hot as well as cold baths are attainable.
The saloon is lighted by two large skylights, one of them being 21 feet in length. They are emblazoned with very pretty views of Melbourne, Sydney, Adelaide, and Capetown, these being the principal ports to which Messrs. Devitt & Moore’s vessels trade. There is also a piano in the saloon, by which the tedium of a voyage may be enlivened, and the tables are so constructed that they can be easily unshipped and the saloon cleared for dancing.
For gentlemen there is a capital smoking-room at the top of the companion leading from the saloon to the deck.
The accommodation in the ’tween decks for second cabin and steerage passengers is everything that could be desired, and there is quite an elaborate system adopted for ventilation.
Cooking can be done in the galley for 500 people, and there is a steam condenser, which can distil 500 gallons of water daily.
The passengers of all classes who came out in this ship on her maiden voyage here expressed themselves wonderfully well pleased with the ship and her commander, Captain A. Louttit, who has had great experience in the passenger trade.