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A Fine Steamer Built for Trade With the West Coast of Africa—Description of Her Quarters HIS fine large twin screw passen- 2 j ger and mail steamer which has been built by Harland & Wolff, Ltd., to the order of the African Steam Ship Co., London (Messrs. Elder, Demp- ster & Co., Ltd., managers), left Belfast on Thursday, March 4, for Liverpool from which port she will shortly sail for the West coast of Africa. The new vessel is 441 feet long overall and 57 feet beam, with a gross tonnage of about 8,000. She has been built on the latest principle of watertight construc- tion, having six watertight bulkheads dividing the structure into seven water- tight compartments, and the double bot- tom built on the cellular principle ex- tends right fore and aft, specially strengthened in way of the engine room. There are five steel decks and in general design and construction’ the Apapa represents the highest attain- ments in British shipbuilding for a first class vessel of her size and type. In addition to having large cargo capacity, the Apapa is fitted up with sumptuous accommodation for a large number of first and second class pas- sengers, the permanent first-class rooms being single and two-berth rooms, the second two- and four-berth and _ the third class also two and _ four-berth rooms. There is in all accommodation for about 400 passengers. Passenger’ Quarters The first class staterooms, situated in large deckhouse on the bridge deck, are nearly all single berth rooms fitted with cot bedsteads; and those on the awning deck and main deck are two berth rooms arranged on the tandem principle, giving natural light and ven- tilation to all rooms and _ eliminating what are known as inner rooms. The upholstery is cretonne, the furniture mahogany, and carpeted floor. The first class suite staterooms on _ the awning deck have toilet and lavatory attached. One of the rooms is panelled and framed in oak, with oak furniture; the other finished white, with oak furni- ture and floor covered with Brussels carpet. The first class public rooms are ar- ranged and decorated in the most approved style. The dining saloon on the main deck extends the full breadth of the vessel and will seat 150 persons. The floor is covered with linoleum tiles; the upholstery is green leather. The room is furnished with small rectangu- lar tables in the restaurant style, and handsome sideboards at forward and after ends. The sidelights are of large diameter arranged in pairs, and the saloon is panelled and framed in white enriched Adams style. The first class lounge, on the bridge deck forward, is panelled and framed in sycamore, relieved with carving. The upholstery velvet, and the room _ has large teak framed windows. There are two bookcases at the after end, and handsome sycamore piano at forward end. The furniture is of wickerwork and consists of lounge easy chairs, settees, writing tables and chairs and small square tables; the floor is cov- ered with linoleum tiles. First Class Smokeroom The first class smokeroom is situated aft on the boat deck; the panelling and framing is in oak, handsomely carved and relieved with inlays: pic- tures in panels. The furniture is of oak, the upholstery dark green morocco. There is a large decorative skylight overhead, and large teak framed win- dows opening in pairs. The furniture consists of small card tables, settees, - writing tables and tub chairs and two sideboards at forward end. The floor is covered with linoleum tiles. At the after end of the :smokeroom an open verandah is arranged with small teak- wood tables and chairs, and bar and gentleman’s lavatory adjoining. The first class companionway, stair- way and entrance are panelled in oak, .and there is a large decorative dome over the main entrance. The promenading spaces are all that could be desired, and it is anticipated that the arrangements made for the comfort and enjoyment of passengers will be very highly appreciated. The second class accommodation is also well arranged and of a high class character. The staterooms, situated on the main deck, as already mentioned, are arranged in two and four berth rooms on the tandem principle. They are upholstered in figured repp, and have mahogany furniture. The second class saloon, like that of the first class extends the full breadth of the vessel on the main deck, and will seat 108 persons. It is panelled and framed in baywood, finished flat white, with dado and _ furniture of mahogany. There is a handsome up- right. piano, with sideboard at each side, at the forward end of the room, and the large sidelights are arranged in the most effective manner. The second class smokeroom, on the bridge deck aft, is panelled and framed in oak, with oak furniture; it ‘has large teak framed windows, and the furniture consists of card tables ar- ranged in bays, revolving chairs and writing tables. A bar adjoins’ the smokeroom. The third class accommodation con- sists of the staterooms on the main deck aft. Dining saloon on the same deck, and the general room at the after end of the awning deck. Both these rooms are finished white and are very comfortable compartments. There is a gymnasium on the boat deck, fitted up with a large number of electrically driven apparatti, a dark room arranged in the after first class entrance on the. awning deck, a barber’s shop, and, of coursee, the usual purser’s office, doctor’s room, etc. The ship’s refrigerated chambers and dry - store- rooms, on the lower deck aft, are of ample capacity. The appliances — for working ship and cargo are of the lat- est type, and the vessel, in addition to having a complete installation of elec- tric. light, is fitted with wireless tel- egraphy apparatus. Wash house and ironing room with electric irons is fitted at after end of poop deck. The lifeboats are manipulated by patent davits, and are of» sufficient capacity to accommodate all persons on board. j Propelling Machinery There are large spaces on lower deck forward fitted up for ‘the carriage of parcels. The propelling machinery consists of two sets of four cylinder quadruple expansion balanced reciprocating en- gines, also constructed by Harland & Wolff, Ltd. The vessel has been built under the survey of the Board of Trade for Pas- senger Certificate. During construction the vessel has been under the superintendence of Cap- tain W. P. Thompson, marine superin- tendent, and J. B. Wilkie, superin- tendent engineer.