LYTTELTON TO HICK’S BAY.

Gisborne Times, Volume XXXVI, Issue 3997, 30 July 1913, Page 4

LYTTELTON TO HICK’S BAY.

42 OIL LAUNCH’S LONG TRIP. Tlie twin screw oil launch Muritai put into the river yesterday morning from Lyttelton, via Napier and Wellington. The little vessel, which is only 40ft long, is, equipped with two 10-horse-power engines, and is of 9ft 6in beam and 4ft draught. The launch left for Hick’s Bay (To Araroa) in tlie afternoon, at which part she will act as tender to the coastal steamers. Captain Hansen, who js in command, reported that the launch met with heavy weather from Lyttelton to Napier, but the little craft stood against it well, but had to shelter under Cape Campbell for 14 hours. When off Kidnappers a valve of the starboard engine broke, and the engine continued on one cylinder. The average speed for the run was up till then pj knots, but with one cylinder thus cripp'ed the launch made the “Lon Pot” at Napier at 71 knots. The fuel cent sumed on the voyage was very small, only 34 tins of benzine being used between Lyttelton and Napier, while a further eight were used on the run from Napier to Gisborne. Captain Hansen has with him Mr. Beeehrcft. of Lyttelton, as engineer, and the other portion of the small crew consists of a deckhand. The launch continued her voyage north about 2.30 yesterday afternoon.