TANKER BRUNSWICK

Evening Post, Volume CVII, Issue 24, 29 January 1929, Page 12

TANKER BRUNSWICK

MODERN OIL CARRIER

AN ELECTRICAL MARVEL

'GREAT INTEREST IN SHIP

An old-time skipper, meeting on the high seas the tanker Brunswick, might well bo excused if he rubbed his eyes and pinched himself tr see if ho was awake. The Brunswick is indeed a weird vessel, probably the most peculiar looking merchant vessel afloat, the absence of any funnel or of any bridge amidships and the location aft of all accommodation giving her at a distance somewhat tho appearance of a derelict, from which nearly all the usual superstructure found on a ship has been washed away. But that impression is gained only at a distance, a closer view revealing tho Brunswick as a veritable wonder ship, almost beyond the wildest imaginings of Jules Verne. Small wonder was it therefore that many curious eyes followed tho course of this tanker as she slid into Wellington Harbour early this morning on her first visit to this part of the world. All the morning, both when she lay at anchor and when she berthed at the Thorndou Breastwork, she has been a source of much interest to thoso whose business or pleasure takes them to the wharves, but it is necessary to go on board to appreciate to the full what one old salt expressively summed up as: "Not a ship, but a blooming electric miracle." The details of the structure and electrical features of the Brunswick were fully described in "The Post" on Saturday, but it is necessary to bo well versed in matters electrical to understand and appreciate to the full the wonderful mechanism ou board. However patient and explanatory the officers may be —and they are too proud of their'ship to omit explaining any detail —the layman is apt to be confused. The impression one gets is that all the navigating officer haa to do is to press a button or turn a lever and electricity docs tho rest. Iv fact, after she has crossed the Pacific once or twice it would almost seem as if the Brunswick could find her way hero alonej once started on her course, "Uncanny I call her, most uncanny," said one visitor to the vessel to-day| and that is very much the impression one has. How a vessel could bo entirely controlled by wireless, without one single human being aboard, is readily understandable after a visit to tho Brunswick, where one sees the perfect control which can bo exercised by one officer and a switchboard.

Another impression which the visitor to the Brunswick carries away is the vessel's great length, the effect being greatly exaggerated by tho vessel's peculiar construction. Her total length is 409 feet, not really a remarkable length' as big modern vessels go, but of this length 350 feet is iv ono expanse of main deck, and viewed from the bridge this seems more liko 350 yards. What wouldVt passengers on a liner give for such deck room, where several tennis courts could be laid out? But the Brunswick is not for tourists and those travelling for pleasure and health. Her mission is solely for the carriago of oil fuel from where it gushes out of the ground to places far removed in the Southern Seas. Hence this vast deck space from a sports point of view would be suitable only for an obstacle race, seeing that it is crossed in all directions'by .pipes, of ail sizes from great 12-iuch mains down to baby ones, and by means of these oil at the rate of 81,000 gallons an hour can be discharged.

Small wonder is it that the Atlantic Union Oil Company is proud of the Brunswick. The whole of the local staff was down to greet her this morning, and a reception and luncheon were held on board in honour of the vessel's arrival. This afternoon many people accepted the company's invitation to see the wonder ship before she goes on to Auckland in a couple of days. But although the Brunswick will come again to Wellington periodically with her precious cargo, it is safe to say that it will be a long time before her novelty ceases to evolw wonder and admiration.

Amongst those who attended the informal luncheon on board was the Prime Minister, the Right lion. Sir Joseph Ward.