3-052-402 - The Print Collector/Heritage Images

The steam-ship Kinfauns Castle, built of steel, 1880. 'This new steam-ship, which has sailed from the South West India Docks for the Cape of Good Hope, as one of the Colonial Mail Line of Messrs. Donald Currie and Co., is the first regular ocean mail-steamer built of steel...[She] is the first completed example of the application of steel construction to great ocean mail-boats, a path in which the Cunard company are now to follow. The Kinfauns Castle...[and her sister ship Grantully Castle are] over 500 to 600 tons larger than any other steamers engaged in the Cape mail service. They each carry 120 first-class passengers, 100 second-class, and 160 third-class, with a large amount of cargo...There are six water-tight and fireproof bulkheads...The engine-room is divided by fireproof and water-tight compartments from the rest of the ship. Each of these steamers could carry ten heavy guns and steam from England to Japan by the Cape of Good Hope without coaling, either as a cruiser or as a transport for carrying troops...There is a ladies' deck saloon, a smoking saloon, and a spacious promenade. The Kinfauns Castle was constructed by Messrs. John Elder and Co., of Glasgow, the well-known builders of the Pacific mail-steamers'. From "Illustrated London News", 1880.