NEW MOTOR SHIP.

Auckland Star, Volume LXVI, Issue 106, 7 May 1935, Page 12

NEW MOTOR SHIP.

DURHAM TO-NIGHT. MODERN CARGO VESSEL FORTY CADETS ABOARD. Tlio new motor vessel Durham arrives at G o'clock this evening from \?cst coast ports of England to discharge under the agency of the Federal Steam Navigation Company. If; is her first voyage to New Zealand.

Much interest ccntres around the Durham, which is one of the most up-to-date and fastest of the large fleet of motor vessels built recently for the New Zealand and Australian trade. Launched in July of last year from the yards of Messrs. Workman, Clark, Ltd., Belfast, the Durham is of 10,803 tons gross register, her principal dimensions being:—Length over all, 513 ft; beam, 08ft 4in; moulded depth, 47ft 2in.

The vessel on her trials maintained a speed of 15.4 knots, giving an economical sea speed of about lt>i knots. Every modern convenience is provided for the expeditious handling of cargo in the six holds, which are in turn divided up into 18 separate compartments. Twenty powerful electric winches are fitted throughout, and at Nos. 2, 3, 4 and 5 hatches four 10-ton tubular steel derricks are fitted with two 10-ton derricks at each of Nos. I and 0. In addition, a 30-ton derrick for the handling of heavy lifts is available at No. 2 hold. Chambers For Chilled Beef. A special feature of the vessel is the fitting of six compartments for the carriage of chilled beef, the total capacity of these chambers being 30,107 cubic feet. Another departure is the provision of what is known as mutton port doors. These are openings through the ship's side into the 'tween decks of four holds, and permit of the loading of perishable cargo under cover during inclement weather.

The vessel's capacity for refrigerated cargo, including chambers for chilled meat, totals 490,878 cubic feet, while in addition space Tor general cargo totalling 201,817 cubic feet is available. The oil fuel tank capacity is 2933 tons. The accommodation for the master, officers, engineers and crew is situated amidships, anil Is of the most comfortable seen on any cargo vessel that has visited Auckland. The crew are accommodated in cabins amidship with a special mess room. On the promenade deck there are '22 cabins for officers and engineers, with smoke rooms adjoining, and on the boat deck above a suite of rooms is provided for the master. The vessel is manned by 40 cadets, who are being trained by the New Zealand Shipping Company for service in the Mercantile Mdrine. These cadets are accommodated in separate cabins, with a large schoolroom, mess room and a recreation room. Captain's Career. The vessel is commanded by Captain H. L. Upton, D.S.C., R.N.R., who has had charge of cadet ships of the company for a number of years. He has a distinguished record, having served for over two years in the North Sea, and later having been on loan to the French Navy. The Durham made the voyage out from the United Kingdom by way of the Cape of Good Hope, calling at Las Palmas only for fuel. She discharges a large cargo at this port and proceeds later to Wellington, Lyttelton, Dunedin and Bluff to complete. She returns in June to make her departure from this port for London and west coast ports, carrying a consignment of refrigerated cargo, including a shipment of chilled beef.