FAST STEAMING.

Auckland Star, Volume LXV, Issue 307, 28 December 1934, Page 3

FAST STEAMING.

RANGATIRA'S EXCURSION. Carrying a record number of people, 2300, the Union Company's turbo-elec-tric steamer Rangatira on Boxing Day, made one of her most successful excursion trips to Picton. The weather was perfect from the time the vessel left Wellington until she returned, and the effects of the bright sunshine were plainly visible on many of the travellers when they disembarked late in the afternoon. Returning to Wellington from Picton, the Rangatira made a very fast run of 2 hours 12 minutes, equalling her previous rccord time for the trip. Her average speed was 23.45 knots. The time from Tory Channel to Wellington Heads was 1 hour 8 minutes. The run to Picton was made in 2 hours 22 minutes at an average speed of 22.6 knots. This included a slight delay when the vessel w.as leaving port. Passing Barret Reef, the Rangatira took a sheer, and swung off her course. She was put astern, and soon swung back on her course after only a few minutes' delay. For her excursion trips to Picton this summer the Rangatira has had her passenger-carrying license increased from 2175 to 2300. On Boxing Day she carried the maximum number possible under the new license.