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New Zealand Herald, Volume XLII, Issue 12853, 29 April 1905, Page 5 (Supplement)

The ordinary 1/feboat is built for salcly and no/ for speed; and when an opportunity is afforded of seeing it fully manned unci under sail, it is admitted that its progress under the most favourable circumstances is but slow. Steam lifeboats have bee'i introduced, and in many cases the strong'steam tugs kept at busy porta always re.-'dy for an emergency do life-saving work. An interesting experiment- is about to bo made in the employment of the motor-drii en boat, the engine 01' which can at a moment's notice be put into action. The boat in question is at once to bo stationed at, NewhaTcn, and wc shall no doubt soon hear that it is doing good work. Such a boat could not be designed without much forethought; and, among other necessities of construction, the engine had to be entirely enclosed so as t" protect it from breaking waves. It. was also necessary to adjust the. position of the machinery so accurately that the boat should right itself without difficulty. The motni lifeboat will not: only ensure good speed in reaching a wreck, but will enable the crew to conservo their strength until the moment of rescue arrives.