“LAST WORD IN SHIPS.”

Hawke's Bay Tribune, Volume X, Issue 139, 27 May 1920, Page 2

“LAST WORD IN SHIPS.”

i R.M.S. X’ALDERA. ’ BIGGEST LINER VISITING I AUSTRALIA. i The P. and O. R.M.S. Naldera, the latest addition to the P. and O. fleer, is at present in Australia. The Naldera. which is a sister ship to the Narkunda, is the biggest Royal Mail steamer to visit Australia. She is described as “the last word” in ship construction,the appointments throughout being on a great scale of magnifi- ] cence. Built bj’ Messrs. Caid and Co., Greenock, she was launched on December 29, 1917. Although intended for completion as a passenger steamer, she was, owing to the exigencies of the war, temporarily fitted out as a cargo steamer and later converted for use first as an aeroplane carrier and then as an armed merchant cruiser; but she has now been entirely reconditioned for the service for which she was originally proiected. She is of 15,800 gross rei nister, length 605 feet, breadth 67ft. 12in.. moulded depth main deck to i keel) 47ft. 4in., and is driven by two I sets of ouadrunle expansion reciprocat- | ing engines developing 18.000 borseI power, and a sea speed of 184 knots. I WONDERFUL DEVICES. ! The mechanical devices fitted for the I safety of the vessel are wonderful. In the chart and engine rooms, all sorts of automatic appliances ar? in use for the safety of the ship. One of these is an automatic governor which instantly shuts off steam when in a pitching sea, the propeller emerging from the water, and which re-opens the steam valve when the propeller is again : immersed. This, applied to both the port and starhoard engines, prevents “racing” and the consequent enormous wear and tear. Another even more remarkable device is for (Jumping- ashes. This is a sort of grating situated amidships. In this the ashes are tipped. and they then pass into a chamber having for its floor s trap-door opening to the sea beneath the ship; about this door plav opposing forces, for the pressue of the outer sea keeps the doors closed until there comes into action above it a jet of water driven at such pressure as to force the door downwards and open; into this jet fall from the grating the ashes., of which the ship must constantly rid her furnaces, jind by it these are driven into the seaj and as the pressure of the jet is greater from above than that of the sea beneath' no sea water can make its Way 'into the vessel through ■ the open door. When the jet is suspended the rush' of sea water, to the opening Carries the door with it. closes- it, and keeps it closed until the ash-ejecting jet- is again brought info operation.