11/03/1875 - 23/05/1875

The Glenelg.— The towage of Port Adelaide has a history attached to it, and those who have been long there can remember many episodes of the steam fleet which has aided the arrival and departure of vessels. There are some old pilots who affirm they could do better without tugs, but the general bulk of the maritime public know better. It has now fallen to the lot of the Tug Company to add about as good a vessel as could be wished in furtherance of towing operations. The Glenelg has very powerful engines working twin screws. She has such accommodation for passengers and space for cargo that she can be well employed in coasting when no towage is on hand. The Glenelg has been constructed by Aitkin & Mansell, of Glasgow, from designs drawn in the colony. She was superintended by Captain Alleop, a gentleman formerly well known in the Adelaide trade. In externals she is not very striking, being rigged as a three masted schooner, but probably some change for the better may be suggested. She has a straight stem and quite a tug's stern, but throughout the equipment of the engine-room the value of the vessel is shown. There are two pairs of direct-acting compound vertical engines built by Bait and Lindsay. Two of the cylinders are 15 inches and two of 30 inches, with 21 -inch stroke. There is in one corner a powerful donkey-engine for several purposes, such as pumping up the main boiler working the steam winch, and the only wonder is its power was not applied to the windlass for the ground tackle. This, however, is provided, for by a winch of a novel description. The iron used in her construction is of the very best kind, and the plating of extra thickness. She has a very neat cabin aft capable of accommodating a dozen persons, besides a ladies' berth fitted with all sorts of nicnackeriea. The ceiling is white, and gold mouldings give it a very pretty appearance. The tables, swinging-trays, mirrors, sideboards, and other appurtenances are of a superior kind. On the starboard side is a well-appointed steward's pantry and a berth for the master. The next space forwards is devoted to cargo, and then the engine-room. The machinery has worked for 60 days without any serious hitch and with only a few short intervals of rest at the coaling stations. Mr. Cargill, the engineer, deserves credit for the appearance of the machinery after so long a passage. Before the boiler space the bridge spans the deck so as to afford an elevated position for the officers of the watch, with quarters on one side for the chief officer and on the other for the engineer. The midship space is taken up by the cook-house, lamp-locker, &c. There are two steering wheels, one on the bridge and another aft, so arranged that either may be used as required. Before the bridge is a fine spacious deckhouse, which is to be devoted to second-class passengers, and there is further accommodation for that purpose below. Throughout the vessel everything necessary is observable, and there can be no doubt she will prove a useful accession. The voyage from England is the very first made directly by way of the Suez Canal, and if the master had driven the vessel at top speed she would have made a very fair passage. She proceeded at a low rate first in order to economize fuel, and secondly, because some very bad weather was at times experienced. She left Glasgow on March 11, having on board 145 tons coals, but wanting some change in the donkey-engine she remained at Greenock till March 13, when she proceeded, and subsequently landed the pilot at Dunmore. Strong breezes characterized the early part of the voyage, especially steaming across the Bay of Biscay. On March 21 headed past the Rock of Gibraltar, and passed a course for the Island of Malta. Even in the Mediterranean there was a strong breeze and head sea, but by going at reduced speed the vessel got on very well. On March 27 she called at Malta, and took in 90 tons coal. Thence to Port Said was another week's cruise, and there the coal bunkers were replenished by another 40 tons, and the pilot took charge to conduct the Glenelg through the Land of the Pharaohs. She left Port Said on April 4, and was subsequently detained in the Canal for one night. The next stopping-place was Suez, where the pilot was discharged and a fresh departure taken, and after a cruise down the Red Sea Aden was reached on April 14. There 70 tons more coal were taken on board prior to starting on the final stage. Pretty strong breezes prevailed the whole of the way. She was sighted early on Sunday morning, and on reaching the Semaphore was boarded by the officers, and at once proceeded to the wharf. Register