TASMAN CROSSING.

Auckland Star, Volume LXVIII, Issue 233, 1 October 1937, Page 8

TASMAN CROSSING.

MONTEREY'S CHANCES.

WILL SHE BREAK RECORD?

«NO EXCESSIVE SPEED."

The clamour and the shouting about trans-Tasman "racing" has died. Since the Union Steam Ship Company's express liner Awatea gained possession of the "blue riband" of the Tasman on her last Auckland-Sydney crossing in company with a Matson steamer, all interest appears to have dropped out of the question.

To-day the Awatea and a Matson liner, the Monterey, again sail for the Australian port in company, but there has been no word of a "race." The question those "on the inside" of shipping are asking themselves is will the American line be content to sit ba<?k and acknowledge what would be tantamount to inferiority in speed capabilities ? It is considered that an emphatic no can be the only answer. Awatea Goes First. The Awatea is scheduled for a 5 p.m. sailing, and the general opinion is that no attempt at a fast passage will be made this trip.

The position of the Monterey is different. With a very heavy cargo for discharge at Auckland, a good percentage of which is perishable, she may not be able to clear port at 10 p.m., her present sailing time. Messrs. Henderson and Macfarlane, Matson Line agents in the city, anticipate uo delay providing rain or other unexpected causes do not create a hold-up.

However, the Monterey may even sail at midnight and may make a fast passage. With 12 boilers capable of developing a speed which has not been disclosed, the Monterey has never been fully extended, the vessel always steaming on ten boilers. It is known that she made a speed better than 23 knots on her trials, and it is also known that she has a good reserve. Some experts claim that she is capable of as much as 25 knots and even more.

Discussing the subject this morning. Captain E. R. Johanson, of the Monterey, declared that he had no intention of travelling at an excessive speed, and said that if his ship was late in leaving Auckland he would radio Sydney and advise his arrival for the later hour.