THE FRANCE

Evening Post, Volume CII, Issue 41, 17 August 1921, Page 6

THE FRANCE

WORLD'S LARGEST SAILER IN ■ PORT.

The French barque France, the world's largest sailer, arrived in the stream-'&* Wollinjfton late last evening from Lyttelion, and was berthed this morning at the Bang's Wharf. The Franca made the trip np from Lyttelton in the smart time of twenty-eight Uiouw. Leaving- Lyttelton at 3 o'clock on Monday afternoon, she arrived off tho "Heads at 7. o'clock yesterday oveninsr, and was towed into port at 11.15 pjn. From early on Tuesday, when the vessel caught a stiff southerly breeze, she maintained a speed of from 12 to 14 knbte. Tho Franoo comes to Wellington to complete Homeward loading:, and will take is 3000 casks* of tallow and pelte, and some 6000 bales' of 'wool. She is expected to g-et a»-ay from 'Wellington about the 26th August for London. She is a fivo-maeted barque-rigged vewel of 5633 tons grow; her oargo capacity is• 7000 tons, and her total displacement over 10,000 torus. She \jas built in 1912 at Bordeaux,, France, for her owners, the Companio Franoaise de Marine et de Commerce. Her principal dimensions are:—Length', 418 ft Bin; breadth, 55ft Bin; depth, 24ft 9in. During the war she waa trading between England and New Caledonia.

Built of steel throughout, she has two complete decks, and, in addition has a poop deck 106 ft, a bridge deck 117 ft, and a forecastle deck 87ft, the remaining 108 ft of her, length being mostly taken up by two of her five cargo hatches on the main d<xk. There is a raised navigating bridge at'the fore-end of the poop deck, which gives a clear view of the ship. Undernuath this bridge is a containing a powerful steam steering engine, which, however, is used only in very heavy weather, the vessel being usually steered by a double-hand wheel under a steel house right aft. Until last year the France was fitted with two powerful auxiliary heavy oil engines driving twin screws, and giving her a speed of 10 knots. The engines were afterwards removed, and the ship is now dependent on her sails alone. The France is square-rigged on four of her five masts. There are five yards on each of those masts, which aro about 200 ft' from deck to truck. She carries double topgallant sails, but no royals. The vessel has patent stockless anchors of the steamship pattern, which are worked by her eteam windlass. Her accommodation, both for officers and men, leaves little to be desired, fitted, with hot water, radioators, and electric light. Electric light is provided throughout the ship,, as well as a hot and cold system.

She has a wireless plant of a , sending radius of 400 miles, and can receive messages up to 3000 miles. Captain Lo Port, who has been in command, of the Franca ror two yeare, has not previously visited New Zealand. He belongs to Brittany, like the rest of his officers and crew. His three officers are Messrs. Emil Pierre, G., Georges, and P. Cruerner. The vessel carries a complement of fifty-four all told. •