AWATEA’S TRIP

Grey River Argus, 22 September 1936, Page 5

AWATEA’S TRIP

61 HOURS 45 MINUTES TO SYDNEY Slower than Mariposa (Aust & N.Z. Cable Assn.) (Received September 21. at 8.10 p.m.) SYDNEY, September 21. The new liner “Awatea” arrived here To-day, from Auckland. The “Awatea’s” trip took 61;/ hours, as compared with the. record for the run, of 58 hours 7 minutes established by the Matson liner, “Mariposa.” There was a function held on board the “Awatea” after her arrival. Dr. Earl Page. Federal Alinister, addressing guest’s aboard the “Awa.'.ea.” said that British shipp ng companies were intent upon maintaining supremacy of the British Hag on both the Atlantic and the IPacific Oceans. Thus the ‘•Queen Alary” and the “Awa-’ea." were of extraordinary importance. The Alinister added that the Commonwealth Government had done everything in its power to ensure that on the Pacific Ocean, ."he supremacy of the British Hag should be maintained as far a< ■was possible. He stated that he had learned, by an inquiry, that the Alatson Line had not taken away any passengers from' the Australian and New Zealand Lines, but that 1 the Alatson Coy., had induced new passengers to travel by their extra .facilities and comfort. Australia he said, could oncourage no better indiui.try than the travel and Tourist industry. Those ■who came first as -tourists, would return as traders. CAPTAIN CONFIDENT. SYDNEY, September 21. Discussing the “Awatea,” Captain Davey said: “She is a wonder ship. On the voyage from New Zealand, we used only four of the vessel’s six boilers. No attempt was made on The record, but T have no doubt that she wll ' be able to ’take it when the occasion arises.” CAPTAIN’S PHONE REPORT. AUCKLAND, September 21. Sitting in his cabin on the new in-ter-colonial liner Awatea as she sped towards Sydney at more than 20 knots on her maiden voyage from Auckland, Captain A. 11. Davey last night reported on the excellent progress the vessel was making, in a telephone conversation. “Evervthing has gone very well,” said Captain Davey. “Wo are now 1038 miles from Auckland and 248 miles from Sydney.” Captain Davey said the vessel met a heavy south-westerly swell on Saturday. A fresh northerly breeze blew on Sunday. Nevertheless the ship averaged 21 knots for the trip up to seven o'clock at night, with only four of her six boilers in use.

The day’s run from noon on Saturday to noon on Sunday was 514 miles. The Awatea was off Hie. Sydney heads at fi o’clock ibis morning, the crossing faking two days loir hours. Built specially for maintaining an express service between Australia and the Dominion the Aawatea is the embodiment of speed and comfort. She has the distinction of being one of the six British ships in excess of 10,000 tons which have a speed of 22 knots. With a gross tonnage of 14,000 the Awatea is driven by six reduetion gear turbines capable of producing 20,000 horse-power.