MODERN MOTOR SHIP.

Auckland Star, Volume LVI, Issue 184, 6 August 1925, Page 16

MODERN MOTOR SHIP.

% THE PORT DUNEDIN.

ARRIVAL IN N.Z.

- 1 4'EW SERVICE INAUGURATED,

Considerable importance is attached to ./the arrival at the port of Otago on Monday of''lad new motor ship Port Di||tedin, inasmuch as she is the first niofjpr vessel to come to jNew Zealand from London direct. The vessel is the ve|| latest production in the way of shipbuilding, embodying all the most modern ideas Of the builder's art, • and is ,the rirst ship to arrive under the new direct cargo service between London and. South Island ports.

HTho ship is all that she was expected toifb'e by tho owners,'' said Captain Hutchinson, in reply to a question by a "Dally Times'' reporter. "She has prjjjed all the owners laid out for her, but- of course the next few voyages will prove the real test. On this her maiden voyage, the Port Dunedin behaved splendidly, proving herself a very line boat." The average' speed of the ship from London to Panama was 14.1 knots, and from Balboa to Otago Heads 13.G knots. The'-speed was reduced on four days owing to tho bad weather encountered towards the end of the voyage. The total steaming time from London docks to-.Otago Heads was 34 days 1 hour 51 minutes, i The .engines, with the exception of one or two minor defects, worked smoothly throughout, which 6peaks well for the success of the motor ship. Captain T. G", Hutchinson has had a long and successful career with the Commonwealth and Dominion Line. He has made- many voyages to Australia and New Zealand. His last command was the Port Denison. The Port Dunedin has several features of .outstanding interest. She has very graceful lines, all the latest improvements in jJie .way of electric winches, boat davits,' and accommodation. She is ofMhe following dimensions:— Length (overall),, 465 ft. ,i length (between'perpendiculars), 465 feet.: Breadth ..(moulded), 59ft Gin. . Depth (moulded to upper deck), 43ft Bin.'" Deadweight, 10,800 tons. Draught at this deadweight, 29ft sJin. Cabin Accommodation. A steel bridge-house on the upper deck contains a saloon, staterooms, etc., while the ■ officers' accommodation is in the same house above. There is also a smoking room provided for the use of passengers; cabins ! for twelve 'being ar J ranged in;', the" bridge-house... The captains aceoiiurip'dation is in a house abtfije they officers' quarters, and above thij*:' is the ehartroom and wheel-house. Engineer officers, petty officers, and stewards are- accommodated amidships in'-'a- steel house round the machinerycasings. The galley, bakery, scullery, and butcher's shop are arranged at the forward-end "of the 'midship house, while the wirelss operator's accommodation and.' doctor's room are in a steel house on; .the after end of the boat deck. Accommodation for the crew is "in the aft end of the forecastle.

I There are two principal standard types of Doxford opposed-piston engines installed—namely, the four-cylinder ijnit,; rated at about 2900 b.li.p'., and a three-cylinder unit, rated at about 1850 fr.h.p. Both of these engines are designed essentially for service in singlescrew ships. .The Port Dunedin and Port llobart are v;.the first ■ two ships' in •which/v;twin-scre\y- sets of ;''Doxr ford' engines, 'have. .been, fitted,;,, andpertain dimensional' modifications have been; introduced into the new engines to make them suitable for twinpcreAy work. The main propelling machinery consists of two sets of four? Cylinder Doxford opposed-piston engines having practically similar dimensions to i]the three-cylinder type. Each engine is designed to develop about 3000 i.h.p. at 95 revolutions per minute, which is a comparatively low speed of rotation for twin-screw vessels. The auxiliary machinery is entirely electrically driven, and for this purpose is supplied by three Burmeister and Wain-Allen Diesel engine generating sets.