The Pottinger is the first of a series of five iron steam-ships in course of construction for the Peninsular and Oriental Steam Navigation Company, and designed to carry the mails in the Indian and China seas. She is the largest iron steam-ship ever built on the Thames.

The hull of the Pottinger is built entirely of iron, with the exception of the deck-flat and water-ways, and it is estimated that above 650 tons have been employed. in construction. The beams. which support four decks, as well as the stringers, kelsoons, &c. are all formed of this material, by which it is believed that a very considerable saving of weight in the hull has been effected, and that greater strength has been obtained than when iron and wood are used conjointly in the structure, owing to the very different degrees of elasticity possessed by those two materials. The sheathing of the Pottinger is formed of plates varying in thickness from 13/16 of an inch to 3/8ths. Her frames are of great strength, 12 inches apart in the way of the machinery, and increased to 18 inches forward and aft, the floor-plates being 16 inches deep. The hull is further strengthened by five iron keelsons, by longitudinal and diagonal binding plates, both on the frames and the deck beams, and by numerous iron water-tight bulkheads, fixed both fore and aft and athwartships. Her spar and main-decks are built flush, and afford an unbroken promenade from stem to stern, the latter deck being laid over the engine room. By this means an ample accommodation is provided for one hundred first-class passengers. besides second-class passengers and the ship's company. In the event of war, those noble decks would give the Pottinger a great superiority as a steam transport, whilst at the same time the strength of her hull is sufficient to carry guns of any weight of metal. The Pottinger will shortly be fitted with engines of 450 horse-power, constructed by Messrs. Miller and Ravenhill, on the oscillating principle.

SG 12 Sep 1846 p 262

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