NEW BRITISH FREIGHTER

Press, Volume LXXXIX, Issue 27224, 16 December 1953, Page 12

NEW BRITISH FREIGHTER

MODERN MOTOR SHIP AT LYTTELTON

EQUIPMENT ON LA HACIENDA

One of the finest and most modem cargo ships to come to Lyttelton is the new Buries Markes motor-ship La Hacienda, which arrived at Lyttelton yesterday morning to load wool for HuH and London. The vessel, of the open shelter-deck type, was built on the Tyne. She has a tonnage of 10,000 dead-weight, 6008 gross, and 3225 net. _ . The vessel has five hatches, each having steel sectionalised covers that can be raised or lowered in about a minute. The* bridge equipment includes radar, automatic helmsman, direction-finder, echonometer, clear-view screen, and radiotelephone, in addition to the standard bridge and radio equipment. Except for the four apprentices, who are accommodated in two-berth cabins, every man on board has a single-berth cabin. La Hacienda is powered by a fourcylinder Doxford opposed piston engine generating 4400 horse-power at 115 r.p.m. Her service speed is 135 i knots. At this speed she uses 15 tons of fuel oil a day. Captain R. Eyre-Walke, who is in com mand, is a descendant of Edward John Eyre, a pioneer explorer in Australia, who was once Lieutenant-Governor of New Munster when New Zealand was divided into the provinces of New Ulster and New Munster. Born at Lanercrost, Cumberland, Captain Eyre-Walker came to New Zealand at an early age with his parents, and was educated at Nelson College. He commenced his sea career in 1930 as an apprentice in the New Zealand Shipping Company’s Devon. He completed his apprenticeship in the Northumberland. On obtaining his second mate’s certificate he served in a steam yacht and in a small tramp steamer. Rejoining the New Zealand Shipping Company, he served in several of its ships during the war years. Joining Buries Markes. Ltd.,’ he eventuaHy received his first command, the Cumbre, in 1950. Since then he has commanded La Orilla (1), La Sierra, and La Orilla (2). Early this year he came ashore to take command of the company’s new ship La Hacienda. Horticulture Afloat A keen interest in horticulture is taken by several of the officers of the ship, and visitors to the ship are impressed by the number of window boxes ancLpot plants on display in the officers’ quarters. The chief officer, Mr J. Chrisp, ’ brought the hobby with him from other ships in which he has served, and Captain Eyre-Walker is also an enthusiastic miniature gardener. At each new port at which La Hacienda calls, plants and soil are collected. So far collections have been made at Curacao, Wellington, and Auckland. One collection brought aboard by Captain Eyre-Walker at WeHington was from Waipukurau. The plants are contained in tins, boxes, or other receptacles adapted for the purpose.

Outside the chief officer’s cabin Is a window box with cacti, mosses, and a number of miniature flowering plants. The second officer, Mr J. Peirce, has a mixed garden of flowers and vegetables, with sweet peas and onions predominating.