NEW CARGO LINER

Evening Post, Volume CXIX, Issue 111, 13 May 1935, Page 11

NEW CARGO LINER

MOTOR-SHIP DURHAM

A NOTABLE VESSEL

A notable arrival here this, morning from Auckland, was the Federal Company's new motor cargo-liner Durham, one of two sister-ships built specially for the carriage of New Zealand and Australian produce to Great Britain. The Dorset, the second of the two, is at present on her maiden trip from England to Australia. This is the Durham's second voyage. Her maiden trip was to Australia, and her performance on that. occasion indicated that she is one of the fastest cargo vessels trading to New Zealand. Her trial speed was 18.4 knots, and she has an economical sea speed of 16.5 knots. When in Australia she made the passage from Brisbane to Newcastle, over\ 500 miles, at an average speed of 18.2 knojs. On the Homeward voyage from Melbourne to Dunkirk she experienced stormy weather, and was delayed at Suez for 24 hours, but she reached Dunkirk in 29 days. On her present voyage, she left Liverpool on March 30, arid called at Las'Palmas on April ,5 to fill her oil fuel bunkers. After rounding the Cape of Good Hope on April 17, she experienced boisterous weather and rough quarterly ,seas in. the Southern Indian Ocean. . The conditions Afterwards moderated, and remained fair until hei- arrival at Auckland. She is to proceed on Wednesday' to complete discharge at Lyttelton, Dunedin and Bluff. ■ ■'■■■.■ , ; A WEIX-EQUIPPED SHIP. Launched in-July of last year from the yards of Messrs. Workman, Clark, Ltd., Belfast; the Durham" is of 10,893 tons gross-register, her- principal dimensions being:—Length over all, 513. ft; beam, 68ft 4in; moulded depth, 47ft 2in. Every mddern. convenience is provided' for: the 'expeditious handling of cargo in the six. holds, which are in turn -divided up into .18; separate compartments. . Twenty, powerful electric winches are fitted throughout, arid at Nos. 2, ,3,.4 r and s,hatches.four 10-ton tubular steel'derricks are fitted with two- lp-tdn derricks: at each of Nos. 1 and 6. In addition, a'=3o-ton derrick for the handling of'heavy lifts is available at.; No. -2; hold. '■■■•■ : ; . ■A special feature of the vessel is the fitting of' six compartments for the carnage Tof chilled- beef * the total capacity- of- these -chambers being 36,197 cubic, feet. -Another departure is the provision of what is known as mutton port dobrs t These, are openings through the. ship's side 'into the 'tween decks of four holds, and permit ofrthe loading of perishable cargo*under •' cover during inclement weather. The vessels capacity for- refrigerated cargo, including, chambers for chilled meat, totals 496,878 cubic, feet, while in addi™°i n o ,SrP ace for Seneral cargo totalling 201,817 cubic feet is available. The oil fuel tank; capacity is 2953 tons.i ' ROOlMtr ACppIttMODATION. Roomy accommodation for the master, officers, arid engineers is ' amidships. All cooking is done by electricity, and. hot and cold, water is laid on to all the cabins and bathrooms. The Durham is the company's training ship for cadets, of whom' there are 36 on board. Their accommodation includes a schoolroom, messroom, and large cabins.- Besides being taught navigation and seamanship, the cadets enjoy sailing'and rowing, the vessel's equipment including, two..-21ft keeled sailing boats arid" two 25ft whaleboats. The lifeboats are fitted with propellers. The equipment oh the bridge includes a patent, engirieroom telegraph, which when rung full-ahead prevents tke engineers from putting the" engines astern by mistake* The'crew numbers 86. ' '~-■■ ■;•■■. .-■■..- . -~!:,::.. \,r. The vessel is commanded by Captain. H. L. Upton, p.5.C.,-R;N.R., who has/had, charge o£. cadet ship's of the company for a number, of years. He has, a. distinguished; record, having served for. over two years in tiie North Sea, and later having been on loan to the French Navy.,; -;•: .-.--"'■■''. ■■"■"■"' -:..