NEW VESSELS PLANNED FOR RED FUNNEL LINE

Manawatu Times, Volume LIV, Issue 6992, 19 August 1929, Page 7

NEW VESSELS PLANNED FOR RED FUNNEL LINE

DIVEESITY OP DBIVES. “There is such a transformation in regiard to power for propulsion of modern big steamers that all the various types being used or introduced have to be watched and studied,” said Captain J. Foster, marine superintendent of the Union Steamship Company, when discussing the now steamers under order for the company. Ho said there was the Diesel type used in the Aorangi, the steam turbine oil-fuel burner, tho Diesel electric drive, and the Diesel turbo-drive. 4 On behalf of all these propelling systems a high-standard of efficiency was claimed.

Captain Foster said that no definite conclusion had yet been reached in connection with tho new big mail liner which has been planned for the transpacific trade, while there was also under consideration the replacement of tho steamer Maori in the inter-island service with a new vessel.

He said that the company had placed orders at Home for a new oil-burn-ing cargo vessel for the Dominion coastal trade, which is expected to be ready next February. There was also on order two colliers, each of 3400 tons, for the West Coast coal trade. Captain Foster said that the proposed vessel for the inter-island trade would be of most modern design and fast, but the kind of drive, as in the case of the new vessel planned for the trans-Pacific trade, had yet to be decided.

A Press Association telegram states that the Union. Steamship Company announces the placing of a contract with Messrs. Hawthorne and .Company, Newcnstlc-on-Tyne, for the construction of a new oil-burning cargo steamer for the New Zealand and coastal trade. The vessel, which is being built to carry 1650 tons deadweight, is expected to be Teadv for delivery next February.