NEW MOTOR-SHIP

Dominion, Volume 28, Issue 114, 7 February 1935, Page 13

NEW MOTOR-SHIP

The Imperial Star FINE MODERN VESSEL . The Imperial Star, the first of three sister ships built for the Blue Star Line’s New Zealand trade by Harland and Wolff Ltd., Belfast, reached Auckland last Sunday on her maiden voyage, and is due at Wellington to-mor-row morning. , ~ A fast run of 29 days 9 hours 11 minutes from Belfast to Auckland was made by the Imperial Star, the average speed dating the voyage being 16.2 knots. The vessel is of a distinctive appearance, with a raking stem, cruiser stern and a low, oval motor-ship funnel of the streamlined type. There is only one mast and the cargo derricks for working the hatches at the after end of the ship are slung from Samson posts. . Cargo will be carried in six holds, which contain 530,288 cubic feet of insulated space for refrigerated goods and 250,571 cubic feet of uninsulated space for general cargo. The insulated space includes 10 gas-tight chambers with a carrying capacity of 1000 tons for chilled beef. . The vessel is electrically fitted throughout, the 20 winches on. deck, as well as the windlass and steering gear, being all electrically driven. There is a gyro compass, by which the ship can be automatically steered, and other navigation aids include an echo sounding apparatus and an improved form of direction-finder. The passenger accommodation is equal to that on a passenger liner. The eight cabins, four single and tour double, have separate bathrooms. All are spacious and excellently furnished. The saloon is panelled in flaming birch and is divided into two by large glass doors, one half being used for dining and the other half as a' lounge. The room has two large observation windows, which give an unobstructed view of the sea on both sides of the vessel. Captain D. R. Macfarlane, who is in command of the vessel, is a New Zealander and was born in Auckland in 1895. He went to sea at the age of 15 and has been in the employ of the Blue Star Line for 20 years.