FERRY SERVICE.

Press, Volume LXVI, Issue 19971, 4 July 1930, Page 13

FERRY SERVICE.

CONTRACT TO BE LET FOR NEW SHIP. TURBO-ELECTRIC DRIVE. [THE PKESS Bscclal Service.] WELLINGTON, July 3. It is understood that an official announcement will be made shortly by the Union Steam Ship Company regarding the placing of a contract for the building of a new steamer for the Wellington-Lyttelton night express passenger service. It was announced in March that tenders were being called for the construction of the snip. In many respects it is stated the new vessei will be far in advance of the Maori and Wahme or of any steamers engaged in similar trades in other parts of the world. Bhe will be 45 feet longer and more than eight feet wider than the Wahine and in point of size and tonnage will rank somewhere between the Marama and Maunganui. Her length will be the same as that of the Marama, but her breadth wi]l be slightly over seven feet more and will actually exceed that of the Makura. Provision is to be made in the new ship for up-to-date accommodation for 1050 passengers in two classes. Tlrnre will be special suites and single rooms. A large number of single berth and two-berth rooms, many of the latter being fitted with Pullman berths convertible into one berth staterooms, if required, will be a special feature in the new ship. _ Although no official announcement is yet forthcoming it is understood that the vessel will have turbo-electric drive, that is to say, she will be fitted with steam turbines driving electric generators supplying current to motors direct coupled to the propeller shafts This is a system which has been adopted with success in several larere American liners, and in the P. and 0. liner. Vicerov of Tndia, and is also to be employed in the two new ?0.000 ton P. and 0. liners now nnopr construction for the Australian trade. The new steamer will have fonr oroifcHers. St<*am will be venerated in all prohnbilitv in high pressure water tube boilers.