NEW ENGINES.

Auckland Star, Volume LXIX, Issue 184, 6 August 1938, Page 12

NEW ENGINES.

NORTHERN STEAMSHIP FLEET EFFICIENCY IN RUNNING. With a view to securing greater efficiency, economy in running and higher speed, the Northern Steamship Company has decided to fit three of their motor vessels with new and more powerful engines. The two vessels being dealt with, at present, are the Motu and Otimai. When built, these vessels were fitted with twin semi-Diesel engines of 160 B.H.P. which are being replaced with twin full Diesel Fairbanks Morse engines of 240 B.H.P. The installation of the Motu's new engines was completed at the end of last month. She returned yesterday on her first trip to Awanui with her new engines. In spite of very rough seas and strong head winds she made a satisfactory run of 20h. 50m., although the engines were only run at 400 r.p.m. instead of 450 r.p.m., reducing the usual time taken on the trip by several hours. | The Otimai will be taken up on the slip on Monday when the work of installing her new engines will be commenced. After the Otimai has been re-engined it is the company's intention to replace the Tuhoe's engines, of 120 8.H.P.. with twin Beardmore engines of 180 B.H.P. The new engines will increase the speed of these vessels considerably and, apart from economy in running, will allow them to maka passages in bad weather where, in the past, they have had to seek shelter.