NOT A SPEED MATCH

Evening Star, Issue 22721, 7 August 1937, Page 25

NOT A SPEED MATCH

AWATEA AMD MDMTEREY SAIL SAME DAY raging discouraged by 00MRARIE8 [Pek United Press Association.] AUCKLAND, August 6. In spite of assurances by the masters of both ships and their companies, that it was not intended that the liners Awatea and Monterey should have a speed match on their present crossing from Auckland to Sydney, unusual interest was taken in the sailing at both ships this evening. The Awatea cleared the harbour limits at 5.20 p.m. and the Monterey cleared port at 9.10 p.m. The master of the Awatea_ (Captain A. H. Dayey) said that he did not entertain any intention of racing the Matson liner, as racing Was definitely forbidden by the company’s regular tions. “ I never stop to pick daisies, however,” was his comment. Because the instructions to Matson Line masters were against unnecessary speeding, no endeavour would be made by him to reach Sydney before the Awatea, declared Captain E. R. Johansen (master of the Monterey). His maximum speed would be 20.5 knots, and no circumstances would prompt him to exceed that. Both shipping companies have pointed out that nothing is gained by arriving at Sydney in the early morning, and have been emphatic in declaring that the possibility of a speed duel would be uneconomic and unnecessary. It is probable that the Tasman crossing will be marked by rough weather, and the discomfort caused to passengers by travelling at high speeds through such conditions is another factor held to militate against the suggestion of a race.