LAUNCH OF THE OTAKI.

Auckland Star, Volume XXXIX, Issue 237, 3 October 1908, Page 11

LAUNCH OF THE OTAKI.

NEW ZEALAND SHIPPING COMPANY'S EXPERIMENT. (From Our Special Correspondent.) LONDON, August 21. A new turbine steamer for the New Zealand Shipping Company was launched on Saturday last, August 15th, from j the yards of Messrs. William Denny and Bros., of Dumbarton. She was named the "Otaki." The new boat represents I a notable experiment in the combination : of reciprocating engines and turbines. This new type of engine is not meant for high speed, but is expected to effect important economics in the working cost oLan ocean liner. Colonel Denny, in giving the toast of "Prosperity to the Owners of the Otaki —the New Zealand Shipping Company," said Mr. Parsons had conceived the idea of combining tho reciprocating engine with the turbine engine. But while people might have ideas, and speculate until they were tired about economics in ships and shipbuilding, unless they got shipowners to help them all their efforts were in vain. Consequently, when his firm thought of trying this new design they cast about in their minds as to whom they had better go, and when they went to Mr. Dawes they found him willing to be the experimenter, and thus the Otafcl was the first vessel of the kind that had ever been launched. (Applause.) In her they expected a considerable economj-. He said "expected" because it was in the nature of a Scotsman never to prophesy unless he knew; but they had done all they could for a successful issue, and they "relieved it would be so. Nowadays calculations were so scientific that what was provided on paper was generally carried out, and they had great faith this experiment would be justified in the eves of Mr. Dawes and his co-directors. They had had the pluck to go in for it, and they would deserve, all the credit and profit that might be attached. He also wanted to say how much his firm and the people of Dumbarton owed Mr. Dawes and his co-directors for work when work was sometimes very hard to get. This was the eighth ship they had built 'or them, and he did no t think he was breaking any confidences when he said this winter would be rendered all the brighter to the people of Dumbarton by the kindliness of heart which had prompted the arrangements come to.

which would give his firm work during t'le dull season, and would give Mr. Dawes, some time next' year, a very satisfactory ship. Mr. Dawes replied. The Otaki's principal dimensions are: Length, 464 feet 6in.; breadth, 60 feet; depth, 34 feet. Being primarily intended for the owners' extensive frozen meat trade from New Zealand, the entire fore end is insulated for this purpose in the holds and lower 'tween decks. One of the 'tween deck spaces is divided into sections, and refrigerated by brine pipes, which, being well under control at all tiroes, enable variations of temperature to be obtained suitable to the various classes of perishable cargo. The remainder of the insulated spaces are cooled by means of air driven through cool rooms, which are kept at a low temperature by the expansion of compressed ammonia in pipes attached to the walls asd roof. The vessel has five cargo hatchways, each fitted with powerful cargo gear, a feature of which is the great outreach over the ship's side which the derricks possess. This enables cargo to be discharged direct into trucks without intermediate handling, an economy which has been much appreciated by the owner's clients. In addition, there is a largo steel derrick at No. 2 hatch, which enables heavy lifts lo be handled without shifting the vessel up to large shore cranes. Although not intended primarily for passenger service, the vessel has a Board of Trade passenger certificate, and a few cabins are provided for passengers, these being specially roomy and well ventilated. This accommodation, together with thiit of the officers, is situated on the bridge deck, while that of tbe junior officers is situated on the deck below. Owing to the great freeboard which vessels in this trade possess, the Otaki is fitted with two flying bridges, one being above the other, from the uppermost ot which the sea can be seen close up to the bow, the steering is controlled from cither bridge as desired, by means of telemotor gear. The vessel is fitted throughout with electric light, the installation being by the builders. The machinery is being supplied by Messrs. Denny and Co., Dumbarton, and represents a combination of reciprocating engines and turbines, by which the steamer will be propelled. The steam will be first admitted to each of the triple-ex-pansion engines, which will drive the wing screws, and will then pass to a centre turbine, driving the centre screw, before being drawn off'to the condenser.