Then there was a stateroom for the second and third officers, and another for the engineer's two assistants. For these junior officers, and Mr. Costigan, there was an officers' mess. Further forward was the crew's mess, then the kitchen department. Ahead of this was the engine room, with the crew's forecastle quarters right up in the bow of the craft, below decks.
"You see, sir," explained Mr. Costigan, "there's everything that could be thought of for the comfort of officers and crew."
"It's the most compact boat I could imagine," declared Captain Tom, enthusiastically.
"You may well say that, sir."
They passed on to inspect the engine room. Joe's eyes fairly gleamed as he inspected the twin motors, the dynamos and all the other details of his own department. It was a finer engine room than Joe Dawson had hoped to command for many years to come. He remained below, with his assistants, to inspect their new domain, while Tom, Ab and Dick returned to the deck with Mr. Costigan.
The "Panther" was schooner rigged, with a full set of sails for each of the two masts. There was a short bowsprit, carrying two jibs.
"This craft does pretty well under sail, sir," declared the third officer.
"She looks as though she ought to," replied Captain Tom. "But what gait does she make with her power alone?"
"She's been running, cruising, sir, at about twelve to fourteen miles an hour. She's listed as a twenty-two mile boat at her best, but I believe, sir, that a good engineer could get twenty-four out of her."
"The new chief engineer is one who can get out any speed that the motors will stand."