ROSS SEA WHALING.

Auckland Star, Volume LXI, Issue 219, 16 September 1930, Page 5

ROSS SEA WHALING.

KOSMOS NOW IN WELLINGTON

NINE FAST CHASERS.

(By Telegraph,—Own Correspondent.)

WELLINGTON; Monday.

The Norwegian whaling factory ship Kosmos arrived at Wellington-from -Norway, via the Panama Canal, to-day, on her second voyage to the Ross Sea; The ship, which is the largest mercantile vessel ever seen in New : Zealand waters, attracted great attention when ehe berthed at the Pipitea wharf. She was drawing 35ft llin aft, "a record deep draught for Wellington. The draught forward was over -28ft. . While at Wellington the Kosmos will take in about 3000 tons of fresh water and a quantity of stores.. She is expected to sail about the end of the week for the Ross Sea, accompanied by the seven chasers which" have', wintered at Wellington. t Contrary to expectations, she arrived Without the two new'chasers, Kos 8 and Kos 9, which have.'been "built in England this -year. They are now on their way to Hobart, via tlie Suez Canal, and will proceed south from Tasmania direct to. the Ross Sea, where they will join the mother ship arid the other chasers. Last season the Kosmos secured a record cargo of whale oil in spite of the unfavourable weather and ice conditions. The fleet 'will start south about a month earlier this year than last year. It is understood that if this season proves to be a good one an oil tanker may be chartered to go to the Ross Sea to fill up with a cargo from the Kosmos, which will then carry on whaling until she herself is full. . • ■ I