NEW CURRIE LINER.

NEW CURRIE LINER.

LAUNCH OF THE JANUS.

An important event in regard to Australian shipping took place early in April, when the Janus, a new steamer, built for Messrs Archd. Currie and Co., was successfully launched from the yard of Palmer's Shipbuilding and Iron Co.Limited.

The Janus, a handsomely-modelled, single-screw vessel, has a dead-weight capacity equal to about 7000 tons. She ia 400ft. long between perpendiculars, 52ft. in breadth, and has a moulded depth of 27ft, 6in. Built to Lloyd's highest class, the Janus is of the three-deck type, with a 9ft. 6in. shelter deck all fore and aft. This shelter deck is of steel sheathed with teak, the upper and main decks being also of steel. Accommodation is provided on the shelter and. promenade decks for 58 first-class passengers. The saloons, state-rooms, smoking, and social rooms are commodious and attractive, embodying all the latest conveniences in ocean comfort. Seven water-tight steel bulkheads render the vessel practically unsinkable. The vessel is lighted with electricity throughout. As the transport of horses between Australia and India is to be a special feature of the vessel's business, careful attention has been given to her equipment in this connection, the ventilation, lighting arrangements, water service, etc., being on the most approved plan. The Janus, which is the seventh vessel built by Palmer's for the Currie line, will probably leave for Australia via India about the middle ot next month. She will be under the command of Captain Colin Macdonald, with Mr Meek as chief engineer.