ARMED OCEAN LINERS.

New Zealand Herald, Volume L, Issue 15390, 27 August 1913, Page 12

ARMED OCEAN LINERS.

PITTED WITH GUNS: THE CERAMIC, THE LARGEST LINER EVER DESPATCHED SOUTH OF THE EQUATOR. The vessel is now on her maiden trip to Sydney, where she is expected early in September. She is an 13.600-ton triple screw steamer, and is the biggest passenger vessel ever despatched south of the line. She'carries two 4.7ia quick-firers, capable of throwing a 451b ehell a distance of six miles. The Sydney ', ■• Harbour Trust has had a dredge at work on the spot where the great vessel will lie. She is capable of carrying 820 passengers.

THE FIRST ARMED MERCHANTMAN TO ENTER A HEW ZEALAND PORT: THE R.M.S. BOTORT7A AT WELLINGTON, EQUIPPED /' "' """ ' ¥ f .'■• > WITH 4.71N GUNS. \'''■■}'■['-'■■ i'*'■]■ ■'''■■ y^ R. M. Langston, photo. The New Zealand Shipping Company's steamer Hotorua, which arrived in Wellington from London last week, enjoys the distinction of being the first armed merchant vessel to enter a. New Zealand port. In accordance with the arrangement made by the British Admiralty some months ago, tho Rotorua is armed with two '4.7 in guns. These are installed on the stern of the steamer. They weigh about two tons each, and have a range of about six miles. The projectiles will pierce wrought' iron to a thickness of almost nine inches. It would % in tune of war be impossible for every merchant, vessel to be protected by the navy, and it is considered that by being equipped with 4.7 guns the steamers will be capable of stalling off attacks by such small vessels as torpedo craft and small gunboats.