OCEAN TRACKS

Hawera & Normanby Star, Volume LVI, Issue LVI, 29 January 1909, Page 2

OCEAN TRACKS

Apropos the "safety tracks," which are followed between New Zealand and Cape Horn by the vessels of the New Zealand Shipping Company and the Shaw, Savill and Albion Company, reference may be made (writes a correspondent to Lloyd's Shipping Summary) to the unpleasant experiences which befel a cargo steamer regularly employed in the colonial trade, whilst on the homeward passage from New Zealand to the United Kingdom. This vessel, which does not follow the route adhered to by the two companies mentioned, makes the passage to Cape Horn on a track considerably more to the southward, and thus is far more likely to encounter ice and heavy weather. On her latest passage, when she was about midway between New Zealand and Cape Horn, and nearly 60 south, she broke down. Her intermediate valve was disabled, and bad to be unshipped. From that position to 'the Falklands she was only working with two cylinders. The compounding of the engines in this manner occupied about thirty hours. Almost immediately after these repairs were made the vessel encountered a violent gale from the northward. The vessel, which was hoveto dead on the sea, shipped a sea over the stern, carrying away her wheelbox and gratings. Another heavy sea, which struck her on the port side, resulted in her shelter and boat decks being started.

When the vessel got to the northward of the Falkland Islands she layto for sixteen, hours whilst the valve which had been damaged was replaced, and from the Falklands she proceeded working with her three cylinders. Damages to the 'engines were overhauled and repaired at a coaling port off the African coast, but when in the Bay of Biscay the intermediate valve again carried away, and she finished her voyage with only two of her cylinders in working order. This vessel is a single screw steamer, and one wonders what would be her fate if she were to lose her propeller when away down to 60 south on the lonely run from New Zealand to the Horn.

No doubt to go ,away to the southward as this steamer does means a shortening of the passage. But the saving of a day or two may be dearly bought if it results in a vessel getting badly disabled. A definite agreement as to tracks between all the steamship companies would indeed be a boon to all concerned.