SHIPPING NEWS

Press, Volume CXV, Issue 33819, 16 April 1975, Page 7

SHIPPING NEWS

FUNNEL 'DADDY OF THEM ALL’

(By

JOHN LESLIE)

“Oh, where are you going to, all you big steamers?” Rudyard Kipling’s famous poem “Big Steamers,” was taught to many of us at school. Perhaps it is still taught.

But steamers are a dying race, so what a pleasure it Is to have one of the most attractive steamers still afloat berthed at Lyttelton’s Gladstone Pier.

Nearly a quarter of a century old, the refrigerated cargo liner Tasmania Star (12,605 tons) will probably be scrapped in the New Year, according to her master. Captain J. Calabrase. That means another avenue closed for sea travellers, for she has accommodation for 12 passengers. The company’s slightly younger Auckland Star, another steamer, has just abolished her limited passenger accommodation, according to the Tasmania Star’s chief engineer (Mr R. Taylor). Where in the world is there a more attractive funnel than that of the Blue Star Line? It is a Blue Star legend that an American company offered the owners a million dollars for the copyright. No wonder, when one admires the 17-knot Tasmania Star’s spectacular funnel, at present dominating Lyttelton's inner harbour. Bor the aesthetic, the modern style of the Queen Elizabeth H, Rangatira. or even the Royal Viking Sky, which called last month, might appeal, but for the true shiplover the Tasmania Star wins the prize. Her funnel is the "daddy of them all.” Legends get better in the telling. For instance, I recall during the early construction of Bluff’s new harbour the store of how mythical Americans had once offered to develop the Invercargill Estuarv for the same purpose at half the price. In Christchurch, the same story about the Sumner Fstuary was circulating before the building of Cashin Quay. This all has a familiar ring, because In childhood I recall a serviee-ear driver on the rugged old. Gisbome-Motu-Opitiki route, repeating how the Americans had offered to fill in the great vallevs with lakes and fishing lodges and so on. The Blue Star Line does not deny the funnel-copyright rumour. Senior shioboard officers are aware of ft. Only one shipping line — Marchestinl. of Greece, h-s anything resembling it. But this is like comparing a Rembrandt with an imitation. Shiniovers: please enjov the splendid funnel and the Tasmania Star now you might not see her again. « *

"Belgians work hard, traditionally. and do not care to emigrate, for.they love their country,” said Captain J. Goossens, master of the fast (20-knot) “banana boat.” Frubel Princes Paola (named after the wife of Prince Albert, King Baudouln’s brother). The aeven-year-old Belgian refrig-

erated motor-vessel is discharging 30,000 cartons of Ecuadorian bananas at Lyttelton.

Both the 5154-ton ship and master are making their first New Zealand visit.

“What a pleasant, leisurely country,” Captain Goossens said. "In our normal trade, we take vehicles from Europe to North America (Atlantic .coast), and then load general cargo for Ecuador. and sometimes Colombia. “Homeward bound, we normally discharge first in Cork (in the Irish Republic), where we unload about 50,000 cartons of bananas in only two days. But in Antwerp — a little faster — we discharge about 110,000 cartons in the same period.” . Fluent in English, Captain Goossens is a good ambassador for his country. Such visitors provide useful practice in French for those who seek this. * S-, ARRIVALS Hawea (5.35 a.m.), 2926. Capt. M. B. Deane, Wellington (U.S.S.). Rangatira (6.39 a.m.), 9387, Capt. J. D. Cleaver, Wellington (U.S.S.). DEPARTURES Hawea (3.35 p.m.), 2926, Capt. M. B. Deane, Dunedin (U.S.S.). Rangatira (8.5 p.m.). 9387. Capt. J. D. Cleaver, Wellington (U.S.S.). EXPECTED ARRIVALS Esquilllno, Wellington, today. Erne, Marsden Point, today. (Tanker). Coastal Trader, Dunedin, today. Tasman Career, Wellington, today. Rangatira. Wellington, April 17. Athelviscount, Wellington, April 17. (Tanker.) ; Laurentic, Sydney, April 17. : (Ballast.) ; Hawea, Dunedin, April 17. Union Wellington, Auckland, April 18. ‘ Neder Linge, Napier. April 19. ’ Canopic, New Plymouth, April 18. ; Wenchow. Wellington, April 18. Tokuho Maru, Nepier, April 19. Rangatira, Wellington. April 19. Union Sydney. Dunedin, April 22. , PROJECTED DEPARTURES I Coastal Trader, Auckland, today. , Frubel Princes Paola, Auckland, ; today. ■ Hawea, Wellington, April 17. > Erne. Wellington, April 17. (Tanker). t Rangatira, Wellington, April 17. . Tasmania Star, Napier, April 17. > Esauilino. Timaru, April 18. ; Union Wellington, Wellington, April 18. t Tokuho Maru, Pusan, April 19. ■ Athelviscount, Timaru, April 19. (Tanker.) 1 Tasman Career. Dunedin, April 19. • Rangatira, Wellington, April 19. (Daylight.) Union Sydney, Wellington, April 22. VESSELS IN PORT . Port Auckland, No. 1 Cashin Quay. .’ Tasmania Star, G.P.E. i Holmdale, No. 2 East. > Frubel Princes Paola, No. 3 West. - Ngatoro, No. 4 West (laid up).