TWO NEW MOTOR SHIPS.

Hawera Star, Volume XLVIII, 17 June 1924, Page 4

TWO NEW MOTOR SHIPS.

BUILDING FOR COLONIAL TRADE. Advice has been received by the Commonwealth and Dominion line in New Zealand of the construction of two large insulated vessels, which will be an innovation in the New Zealand trade The ships will be driven by internal combustion, or motor engines. One is being built in the Workman, Clark yards, and the other at the Swan and Hunter yards. Each vessel will be approximately 11,000 tons, and will give a carrying capacity of 100..000 freight carcases of 601 b, so far as meat is concerned, and space for 16,000 bales of wool in addition. They h\tve been specially designed to meet the requirements of the New Zealand trade, their lengths being shorter than would be the case if they were propelled by steam, with the necessity to provide the usual space for engines and'boilers. They will be specially suitable for working in roadstead 00118 and inside ports like Oarnaru, Nelson, and, ultimately, Wanganui. Following are some particulars of the ships: Length, 4651't; beam, 59f t; depth, 43ft 9in; co-efficient, .17; sea speed, 131 knots; duct, keels; engines, Doxford opposed piston type; these engines have proved highly successful in a number of single screw vessels; but they are now being installed for the first time, it is believed, with, these two twin screw vessels now building for the Comomnwealth and Dominion line, lor its New Zealand services. The whole of the auxiliary machinery will be electrically driven. Steering will be effected by the Sperry gyro compass. These two new vessels arc expected to be quite ready for next season’s New Zealand loading.