The Manu-wai Shows Her Paces

Press, Volume CIII, Issue 30443, 18 May 1964, Page 1

The Manu-wai Shows Her Paces

"The Press" Special Service AUCKLAND, May 17. The Manu-wai, the sleek white hydrofoil which will slice 50 minutes off the 20-mile Auckland - Waiheke Island sea trip, skimmed over Waitemata waves at 35 knots in its first trials in Auckland.

Hundreds of waterside workers and other spectators crowded Freyberg Wharf to see a floating crane carefully lower the gleaming Manu-wai with its newly-fitted foils into the water.

They drifted away disappointedly when the hydrofoil did not make off under its own power. Instead the craft lay off the wharf for 30 minutes as the engine was tested and the compass checked.

After testing, turning, cruising and bursts of acceleration close to the wharf, the Manu-wai tied up at a special pontoon at the Ferry Buildings jetty. Later the 12 cylinder, 1350horsepower Daimler-Benz engine pulled the Manu-wai strongly away in reverse from the jetty. With remarkable manoeuvrability the hydrofoil turned and headed for the stream.

There was a slight vibra-. tion as the hydrofoil gained power, rising swiftly on to its foils by half maximum speed There were regular jolts as the foils sliced through the waves.

There was some concern as the Manu-wai tilted slightly to port—then it was realised that everybody had moved

to that side to watch the Tourist Air Travel amphibian piloted by Captain F. P. Ladd which was skimming along beside'it.

There was a supremacy contest between the Manu-wai, now surging ahead at 35 knots, and the amphibian taking off and it was only when the plane was airborne that it flew away from the speeding hydrofoil. Four minutes after starting

the Mechanics Bay sea wall was left behind. The slight jolting of the Manu-wai could only be likened to horse riding. There was no heave as in conventional ferries.

Occasionally the hydrofoil siren was sounded—an “ee-aw-ee-aw” sound similar to Paris police car sirens. Two minutes later the hydrofoil reached North Head and made a sharp U-turn at full speed, leaving a groove

of wake behind but no waves. At the hands of the Auckland Harbourmaster, Captain D. Burgess, the hydrofoil went on a complicated zigzag course.

At the ofder to stop, the hydrofoil halted in two-boat lengths in about 15 seconds. Gaining speed again it took about 20 seconds to rise on to the foils. The familiarisation course continued over the week-end

and trials proper will be conducted tomorrow.

The hydrofoil has plush blue carpets, luxury grey upholstered seats, curtained windows and individual airconditioning.

Passengers enter the hydrofoil through the. control room high in the middle of the craft. There is seating to the front and at the back. The front probably scores on luxury and view.