NEW STEAM SHIP LINE.

Dominion, Volume 4, Issue 1005, 21 December 1910, Page 4

NEW STEAM SHIP LINE.

TO REPLACE CRAIG SAILING FLEET. IBy Telegraph.—Press Association.) Auckland, December 20. The well-known line of Craig sailing ships, which have been engaged in the Australian and New Zealand trade for years -past, is about to disappear, giving place to a new line of steamships, which will be owjicd by a large syndicate! The Craig fleet is owned by Mr. J. J. Craig, of Auckland, who stated to-day that it was his intention to dispose of tho vessels as opportunity offered. Already some of them have been disposed of, and tho remainder may. be expected to disappear shortly. Some time ago Mr. Craig announced this step, giving as his reason the fict that- the New Zealand shipping laws were prohibitive. Ho joined a locM syndicate for the purchase of the steamer Inga, arid tho experience with this vessel had been so satisfactory that the syndicate had decided to establish a line of several steamers to engage in the Tasman Sea cargo trade', at present carried on by, the Craig sailing, ships. The second steamer of the new line is now under construction at. Home, and will bo launched early next year. The new vessel will be about double the . size of tho Inga, and will carry almost 2000 tons of cargo. : Tho syndicate have decided that their ■fleet shall be. known aS the "I." line,' and the , names of all their boats will begin with that letter. The pioneer vessel is the Inga, and tho boat now. on the stocks will be named Ihumata.