Ireland As A Holiday Resort.

IRELAND AS A HOLIDAY RESORT .

WE have referred on more than one occasion of late to the increased facilities provided by the London and North Western Eailway Company to meet the growing traffic to and from the holiday resorts of Ireland , and it is satisfactory to know that every fresh step in this direction is not only regarded with favour , but appears to supply incentive for further action . At the present time the Company has a splendid service of express

trains and fast boats engaged on this important section of its work , all the modern improvements in the way of Breakfast , Luncheon , Tea , Dining and Sleeping Saloons being introduced in the different trains running between London ( Euston ) and other important towns of the country . First , second and third class tickets are issued by all the trains of the service , whilo special advantages are offered to holders of return tickets , who may return from Dublin ( North Wall ) or Greenore at their option .

The North Western Company have now provided furnished bungalows on the Golf Links at Greenore , the accommodation being of a character that should make it attractive for those who desire to visit this interesting part of the " ould country . " The new twin screw passenger steamer " Cambria " for the London and North Western Eailway Company ' s Holyhead and Dublin ( North Wall ) Express Passenger and Mail Service was launched on the 4 th inst ., from the

Leven Ship Yard , Dumbarton . Some months have now elapsed since the accelerated service between England and Ireland , arranged by the London and North-Western Eailway' Company in connection with the Mail Eoute via Holyhead and Kingstown , the Express Eoute via Holyhead and North Wall , Dublin , and the route via Holyhead and Greenore for the North and North West of Ireland , came into operation . As the complement of this greatly accelerated service , the Directors of the North-Western Eailway

called for tenders for a very fast twin screw steamer . The order was entrusted to the well-known firm of Messrs . W . Denny and Brothers , and from the beautiful lines of the vessel just launched , as well as from the reputation of the firm in this class of work , there is little doubt that the " Cambria " will more than accomplish the guaranteed speed of twenty-one knots . This is the third vessel built by Messrs . Denny for the London and North Western Bailway Company , the two previous vessels , the ' ¦ Eostrevor " and "

Connemara , " having already gained for themselves a high reputation for speed , comfort , and steadiness at sea . These latter ships are engaged in the service between Holyhead and Greenore , the port for the North and North West of Ireland . The draught of water at both terminal ports being limited , the utmost care was required in designing the internal arrangements , but with the assistance of the Company's Officials at Holyhead , the vessel has been constructed to meet all requirements . The watertight bulkheads are very

numerous . The vessel will float with any one compartment bilged , and in many cases with two : the bulkheads at the forward end being specially built to do this . The arrangement of trimming tanks is very complete , to ensure the vessel being able to leave port under any condition of loading . The principal dimensions are—Length over all .. .. .. 337 ft . 6 in . Breadth moulded .. .. .. 39 ft . Oin . Depth to awning deck .. .. 24 ft 9 in .

The vessel has been built of mild steel . The general appearance is extremely handsome—the two large funnels , the tapering masts , and the long range of casings and deck-houses giving her more the look of an ocean liner than of a cross-channel steamer . The passenger accommodation occupies almost the ¦ whole space of the vessel , with the exception of that required for passengers ' luggage , mails , parcel post , and parcels . The first-class dining saloon ° is a large apartment on the main deck , capable of dining eighty passengers at a

time . The framing is of waxed oak and dead-polished teak , in Grecian style with incised and gilt decorations , and fitted with large bevel-edged mirrors ! The dining tables and handsome revolving chairs are so arranged that small parties may dine together in a more home-like manner than at a long table . The side-boards are designed to correspond with the framing , and have marble tops . Fos warming the saloon in -winter there is a handsome stove with hand-painted tiles and brass guard rails . Hot presses and carving tables are provided , and are made to contribute to the artistic appearance of

tbe saloon by their architectural treatment . The foremast passes through this compartment , and tbe casing round it has been utilised to form a bookcase aud writing table , all contributing to the comfort of passengers . Abundant light is supplied by large sidelights , and by a large skylight overhead , with stained glass . All the seats are upholstered in terra cotta frieze velvet . The ceiling is panelled and artistically decorated in flat tints relieved with rich gilded work , while tlie floor is laid with heavy Brussels carpet , with runners of the same material in tbe principal passages .

The accommodation for ladies is very extensive , there being two large cabins for their occupation . The lower Ladies' Cabin , situated on the main deck , is framed in polished sycamore , treated in the " Adams " style , and decorated on tho frieze , pilasters , panels , and dado , the upholstery being in b ' . ue frieze velvet . A commodious dressing table , with large mirror and all

toilet requisites , is fitted at the fore end . Ample light is secured without sacrificing privacy , by means of stained glass windows and doors . The other Ladies' Cabin , which is situated in a large house on the awning deck is designed in a similar style , but with figured panels and turned pilasters , and different arrangement of mouldings .

Further aft on this deck is a similar apartment for gentlemen passengers , the design of which is on classical lines , and carried out in polished teak ' decorated on the frieze , pilasters , and panels . Forward of the funnels is a smoking room , a large and airy apartment in solid oak , with teak dado , having spring stuffed seats , covered with Morocco leather . The floor is laid

with encaustic tiles , and the ceiling is panelled and finished to harmonise with the general design . A number of marble-topped tables are arranged in this apartment , with comfortable easy chairs for convenience of passengers and while the ventilation is very complete , great care has been taken to prevent draught , by fitting screens with leaded and stained glass panels in way of doors and air shafts .

Immediately forward of the smoking room is the main vestibule and staircase , the framing of which is in walnut , with ash panels and sycamore mouldings , the dado being of reeded walnut . The stair is wide and of easy rise , and is fitted with handsome hand-rails carried round the stair opening . The ceiling is panelled and tinted to match the framings , and tho floor of the vestibule is laid with rubber tiles , the pattern of which forms a pleasing contrast to the Morocco leather of the upholstery . The midships portion of

the main deck ancl the greater portion of tho lower deck forward of the boilers are fitted up with sleeping accommodation for first-class passengers . The beds are of the folding type , and are all fitted with spring mattresses . The sides of all state-rooms and sleeping apartments are finished in white enamel which ensures cleanliness , and draught screens are fitted to regulate the current of air from the powerful ventilating fans . The lovotory accommodation is most complete , fresh water being laid on to all washbasins .

Ireland As A Holiday Resort.

The steerage accommodation , which is exceptionally commodious , is situated at the after end of the ship on the main and lower decks , and has been specially designed with a view to secure the comfort of third-class passengers , and is fitted with all modern couveniences , lavatories , & c , separate rooms being provided for ladies . The vessel is lighted throughout by electricity , the machinery being in duplicate , so that in the event of any breakdown of one engine , the other can maintain the light alone . Besides the internal illuminations , the

masthead , side , and stern lights are electric , and are fitted with tell-tales to show they are working properly . : A very complete electric bell installation is fitted throughout the first-class accommodation , and the ventilation of all passenger and crew space is effected by moans of electrically-driven fans to supplement the natural draught ventilation . The stewards' department is equipped in an " up-to-date " manner . The main galley is situated on the main deck abaft the passenger accommodation , and , so arranged that no smell of cooking can find its way into the passenger spaces , and a separate galley is provided for the use of the crew .

The appliances for working and navigating the ship are in the complete and . high-class style usual in the Company ' s vessels . The steering gear is Brown ' s combined steam tiller and hand gear , controlled from the flying bridge by the makers' telemotor . The rudder is built to the form of the ship and has a cast steel frame and forged ingot steel stock . A powerful windlass is fitted on the awning deck , forward , for working the anchors , and a slow and fast speed capstan worked from it for warping the vessel . A similar

steam capstan is also fitted aft for this purpose . A steam winch is fitted forward and one aft for working the passengers' luggage , mails , and parcel post baskets . The vessel is navigated from the flying bridge , where there is a very complete arrangement of telegraphs for the engine , steering and docking signals , and speaking tubes to the engine-room and forecastle . A similar bridge is fitted over the steering gear at the stern to facilitate the handling of the vessel in port . •¦ ¦ ¦ *

In order to secure safety from fire there is a perfect fire service connected to two powerful duplex pumping engines , and supplied with a large quantity of hose . The life-saving appliances in the shape of boats ( of which there are eight ) , life buoys , life belts , & c , are oh the same extensive scale , but owing to the efficient system of sub-division by watertight bulkheads , the likelihood of these appliances being put to use , except as a drill for the crew , is very remote .

The propelling machinery consists of two sets of triple expansion engines , supplied with steam at 1601 bs . per square inch by eight single-ended boilers ' , which are placed in two separate compartments , divided by a watertight bulkhead , so arranged that each set of four boilers qan . be used entirely independently of the other in case of emergency . They are constructed of mild steel to Board of Trade requirements ' , and each is fitted with three corrugated steel furnaces , with independent combustion chambers , arranged

to work under forced draught , for which purpose four large fans are fitted . There are four cylinders to each set of engines , with cast-steel pistons , valves , with relief rings on back , and Joy's balance pistons on top of spindles . The piston-rods , connecting-rods , and valve-gear are of mild ingot steel , and the valve-gear is controlled by Brown ' s combined steam and hydraulic reversing gear . The crank shaft is built of mild ingot steel and is hollow , as are also the crank pins . The sole-plate and guide-columns are of cast steel in order

to obtain greater strength and lightness . The engines are balanced on the Schlick principle , so as to avoid vibration . The circulating pumps are of the centrifugal type , and are arranged to pump out the machinery spaces " and holds in case of serious . leakage , thus forming a valuable auxiliary to the main pumping system . The feed pumps are also independent of the maid

engines ; and are two m number , each being able to do the work if required . The feed water passes through a feed heater and filter , or may be sent direct to the boilers by means of an arrangement of by-pass valves and pipes '; ai desired . The system of duplication has been carried out wherever possible , so that the vessel may be considered perfectly safe even in the very remote contingency of a breakdown of half of her machinery .

This vessel is the first twin-screw steamer which the Company have built for their Holyhead and Dublin Express Service , and whilst the desirability of securing a high rate of speed has not been lost sight of , all other matters on which the comfort of passengers so greatly depends , have received special consideration , such , for example , as absence of vibration , steadiness at sea , and the provision of the most modern and complete ventilating and lavatory and sanitary appliances . As previously mentioned ; the engines

have been balanced on the Schlick system , and it is confidently expected that the ship will be practically free from vibration . The greatest care has also been taken in designing the ship as to the distribution of weights , and the fitting up of the bilge keels , & c . A complete system of electricallydriven mechanical ventilation has been provided , which will ensure a frequent and thorough change of air in the different spaces . This is , of course , in addition to the natural ventilation , whioh has also been amplv provided for .

Generally speaking , it is not too much to say that the " Cambria " will be found to be unsurpassed by any vessel of its class afloat , and will be a most suitable addition to the fine fleet of steamers engaged in the London and North Western Company ' s Express Passenger Service to and from North Wall ( Dublin ) . All the vessels on this service , like the "Cambria , "have been specially designed to provide every modern convenience and comfort for passengers , a separate service by other steamers being provided for the cargo and live stock .

Midland Railway Holiday Trips.

MIDLAND RAILWAY HOLIDAY TRIPS .

A LAEGE and varied series of holiday trips from St . Pancras and other London Stations are being run week by week by the Midland Company , further particulars in regard to which are given elsewhere in this issue . These include excursions to different parts of Ireland for a fortnight ; a fortnightly trip to Scotland for 5 , 11 or 16 days—with the popular arrangement of allowing return at any time-within sixteen days , at a single fare for the double journey ; fortnightly excursions to the north of England ; and cheap weekly trips to the Isle of Man , English Lake District & c .

, In addition to all these regular excursions there is a general one arranged for Saturday next , when tickets will be issued to the chief towns served by the Midland system , available for return the following Monday or Thursday , while on Monday next , and Monday , 30 th inst . an excursion will be run to Birmingham , for one or four days .

It is announced that the Most Worshipful Grand Master H . E . H . the Prince of Wales has been pleased to grant a Warrant for a new Lodge at Gateshead , to be called the Bavensworth , No . 2674 .