She has accommodation for 1,300 passengers, and 150 crew.
[260] Engineering, weekly journal, London, 20th November, 1874.
[261] On arriving in shallow water or nearing a port the screw is raised, so that the bottom of it is above the level of the keel, and when the blades require examining or replacing, the shaft can be raised still higher, thus exposing the boss and allowing ready access when the ship is in light trim. The last two lengths of shafting are connected with an universal joint which works in a chamber in the after end of the tunnel and is at all times accessible to the engineers. The bush is guided by two cheeks on the stern-post, and raised by means of rods with gearing on the middle deck either by a steam-engine or by a hand winch placed on the upper deck, additional power being always at command through the medium of the capstan. The want of the customary keel pieces joining the inner and outer stern-post conveys an appearance of weakness, but this is amply compensated by the increased width and additional thickness at the head of the screw aperture; and the centre of effort of the rudder being raised above the ordinary height. A false foot is fitted to the bottom of the rudder-post and this foot can be readily removed, allowing the screw boss to be changed without disturbing the shaft, which is another very important feature.—Ibid., 20th November, 1874.
[262] Messrs. Ismay, Imrie, & Co. state: “With regard to the Britannic’s screw propeller, it can be worked at any depth, and need not be stopped whilst the lowering or raising is being proceeded with.”
Abstract of Log, S.S. “Britannic.”
| First Voyage from Liverpool towards New York. | ||||||
| Date | Direction of Wind. | Course. | Distance. | Lat. | Long. | Remarks. |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1874. | Miles | |||||
| June 25 | .. | .. | .. | .. | .. | Left Liverpool, 5 P.M. |
| June 26 | .. | .. | .. | .. | .. | Anchored in Queenstown Harbour, 11.35 A.M. Proceeded at noon. |
| June 27 | N.W. | Various. | 350 | 51·20 | 17·16 | Moderate breeze and fine weather. |
| June 28 | S.E. | S. 87 W. | 351 | 51·05 | 26·34 | Moderate breeze, cloudy, with head sea. |
| June 29 | N.E. to S. | S. 76 W. | 352 | 49·38 | 35·25 | Light breeze, with cloudy weather. |
| June 30 | W.N.W. | S. 72 W. | 351 | 47·49 | 43·39 | Moderate breeze, cloudy, with head sea. |
| July 1 | N. to N.E. | S. 66 W. | 367 | 45·22 | 51·42 | Moderate breeze, with dense fog. |
| July 2 | N.E. | S. 66 W. | 375 | 42·52 | 59·34 | Moderate breeze, and cloudy. |
| July 3 | E.S.E. | S. 72 W. | 376 | 40·56 | 67·32 | Light breeze, and dense fog. |
| July 4 | .. | Various. | 285 | .. | .. | Sandy Hook abreast at 9.15 A.M. |
[264] Letter from Messrs. Ismay, Imrie, and Company, 3rd December, 1874.
[265] “Passengers will be provided with berths to sleep in, each adult having a separate berth; but they have to provide themselves with a plate, mug, knife, fork, spoon, and water-can, also bedding. Married couples, with their children, will be berthed together; females will be berthed in rooms by themselves.
“Bill of fare.—Each passenger will be supplied with three quarts of water daily, and with as much provisions as he can eat, which are all of the best quality, and which are examined and put on board under the inspection of her Majesty’s Emigration Officers, and cooked and served out by the company’s servants.