MAIL SERVICE SHIPS

Evening Post, Volume CV, Issue 124, 26 May 1923, Page 7

MAIL SERVICE SHIPS

SAN FRANCISCO TO SYDNEY NEW TYPE OF VESSEL EXPECTED. (UNITED PRESS ASSOCIATION.—COPyRIOHT.) (AUSTRALIAN - NEW ZEALAND CABLE ASSOCIATION.) (.Received 26th May, 8 a.m.) NEW YORK, 25th May. The Postmaster General, in announcing the renewal of the Oceanic mail contract for one year, said the Shipping Board and the Post Office Department in the meantime would be considering' Mr. Samuels's plan. It had been revealed that the two new proposed vessels would be of a design especially for naval and military use in time of war. Admiral Benson, of the Navy Department hud pronounced the boat's design excellent and was enthusiastic over the plan. Admiral Benson said: "I can think of nothing that will do more for the American Merchant Marine at this time than the building and operation of those vessels. The American business in Australasia and the South Seas needs to bs maintained and built up, and can be improved wonderfully, with these ships in service. They would be useful for national defence., and I hope sincerely that it will be possible to have the. Oceanic Company construct. and operate them. 'A cablegram Teceived early this month stated that the Oceanic Steamship Company had completed plans for two 500-' ft. twin-screw liners, which would be commenced immediately if the United States Government acceded to 'the company's proposals to renew the present Australian mail contract for ten years, at a slight increase iv the rates. Mr. Samuels was then on his way to Washington to discuss the contract with the Postal Department. The new ships would run from San Francisco to Honolulu, Pagopago, and 'Sydney, shortening the running time to 18J : days. The new vessels would have turbo-electric propulsion, sand would be capable of steaming at nineteen knots fully loaded, and of main-tainin-s fifteen knots on a oruising radius of 20,800 miles.