THE S.S. ROTOMAHANA.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XXV, Issue 9030, 17 April 1888, Page 3

THE S.S. ROTOMAHANA.

TO THE EDITOR. Sir, —Much has lately been written about) the runs accomplished by the steamship Rotomahana, and it is, I think, freely conceded that she holds the " blue ribbon" of the Pacific. As a passenger by her on this last trip from Sydney, her performances have so impressed me that I am impelled to record them in the columns of your valued journal. We cleared Sydney Heads on Thursday, the 12th inst., at 5.40 p.m., with fine weather and light N.W. winds. On Friday evening the wind went into the S.W., and blew with great violence, and this lasted until making the New Zealand coast. Through all this bad weather—and there was a very heavy gale, with high cross sea—the Rotomahana came with credit, and showed herself not only fast, but a sea boat of the highest class. We were abreast Three Kings Islands on Monday, the 16th, at 1 a.m,; rounded North Cape at 4.20, and were off Cape Brett at 10.20 a.m., arriving in Auckland harbour at 6.15 p.m. The Rotomahana's daily runs for three consecutive days averaged 327 knots, and allowing for difference of time the whole distance of 1281 knots has' been covered in the remarkably short period of three days 23 hours. But, good as the above record undoubtedly is, it is only when we understand that these results have been obtained from four out of six boilers, or in other words, from two-thirds of her effective and available steam power, that we begin to see what a phenomenon this fine little boat really is. Built some years ago, it has become the fashion to speak of her as old, out of date, &c., &c.; but facts speak for themselves, and this at least is patent, that hers must have been a premature birth, as many fine boats, built at much later dates, entirely fail to compete with her. It speaks volumes for the enterprise of the Union Company that they should, so many years ago, have built a ship of such good qualities that even now she stands abreastand more than abreast —of all competitors. Of the civility of the ship's company— Captain Carey downwards— the catering and attendance, I have no need to write. Suffice it that I have enjoyed a trip that will long linger in my memory; that at mention of the Kotomahana, in days to come, will rise up before me a vision of great seas, of freedom and velocity, and of the good ship driving before the gale and heeling to the blast, a true sample of one who only " stoops to conquer."—l am, &c., Mephistopheues. Auckland, April 16, 1888.