Rangatira back tonight

Press, Volume CXII, Issue 33048, 16 October 1972, Page 1

Rangatira back tonight

(New Zealand Press Association)

WELLINGTON.

The Rangatira will be back on the Lyttelton run tomorrow night after a successful test voyage on Saturday.

The ship has been off the inter-island run since September 18, when it was found that one of her main steam turbine rotors had been damaged.

The damaged blades were removed from the affected turbine rotor, which was then replaced. Saturday’s trial showed the temporary repairs enable the ship to top 20 knots, while manoeuvring was also satisfactory. After the five-hour trial trip into Cook Strait, the ship’s master, Captain J. D. Cleaver, said the result was "entirely satisfactory.”

The newly completed cinema in the ship was also given a trial run during the short voyage. The company reported there was no vibration, which could have impaired the quality of the Screening, and all equipment worked well. Tonight, the Maori left Lyttelton on what is expected to be her final inter-island crossing. The ship had been laid up awaiting sale when the Rangatira’s turbine trouble cropped up, and has been on the run ever since. Tomorrow, the two ships will be berthed together while stores are transferred from the Maori to the Rangatira. On Tuesday, the Maori will be docked, for completion of her survey after which the ship will again be laid up at Queen's Wharf waiting for a buyer.