THE P. AND O. COMPANY.

Sun (Christchurch), Volume I, Issue 84, 15 May 1914, Page 5

THE P. AND O. COMPANY.

The most recently issued list of the fleet of the famous P. and O. Company contains some interesting details. The total tonnage shown amounts to 546,000 tons gross register, contained in some 98 bottoms. But of these; 28 craft; totalling 3448 tons, consist of tugs and tenders, of which the largest is the 1061 tons Harlington, occupied in carrying coals arid cargo between the northeast coast of England £ind the Thames. The next important of these vessels in point of size is the Dewan, of 282 tons, stationed in Bombay, whilst there are launches and such-like craft down to a mere eight tons register with engines doiwn to as low as 3 h.p. nominal. The bcean-going fleet—after - deducting these little' craft —is of 542,553 tons, and of 571,000 h.p. Eight of these vessels, however, are either building or completing. These include the, first-class mail steamer Kaiser I. Hind, of 11,400 tons gross register, six other "K's" of 9000 tons and 9000 h.p. each, and the Branch liner /Borda of 11,000 tons and 9000 h.p. fpr the London-Cape-Australian service. When the last-named is in commission the Branch line will have seven vessels engaged in it, and all of the twin-screw type. For the P. and O. business proper —that is the mail service—there are 58 vessels of 402,038 tons register, and of which no less than 38 are twin-screws. Th'ere are 10 vessels of the '' M" type, such as the Medina and Maloja, and eight of the slightly smaller '' N " class all of which have been added in recent years. Meanwhile, of the 17 single-screw vessels still shown in the list, rapid disposal is being made, a whole class comprising the Palawan, Borneo, Sundra, and Sumatra, of about 4500 terns and 3500 i.h.p., having been sold since the fleet list was compiled. All the vessels named were constructed on the Clyde by Messrs Caird and Co. and A. Stephens and Co. in ' 1595, and have been acquired by Japanese or Indian firms, who require palatial craft in their respective businesses.