NEW' CARGO STEAMED

New Zealand Herald, Volume LIII, Issue 16203, 13 April 1916, Page 6

NEW' CARGO STEAMED

CUMBERLAND ARRIVES,

FINE TYPE OF VESSEL.

The now Federal-Shire steamer Cumberland, arrived in port yesterday afternoon. She was only launched on March 14, 1915, from the yards of Messrs. W. Hamilton and Company, Glasgow, and she left Liverpool on her maiden voyage to Australian and New Zealand ports on January 25. The vessel arrived at Adelaide on March 7, her average steaming for the voyage being 13.7 knots. The Cumberland is a sister ship to the Devon, also a new vessel, which was in Southern waters a few weeks ago. She is a splendid type of cargo vessel, of 8992 gross and 5227 net tons. She is specially fitted for the meat-carrying service, every hold being insulated.

The Cumberland is the first cruiserstern merchant vessel to visit New Zealand, and another interesting feature about her is that she is fitted with geared turbine engines. They consist of four steam turbines, geared to two screw shafts.

Captain McGibbon, formerly oi the Kent, who is in command of the vessel, is most enthusiastic regarding his new charge. In explaining the advantages of the geared turbines he said there was far loss vibration than with the ordinary engines, and another strong point in their favour was the fact that, no matter what the weather might be, the engines would not race.

The Cumberland came to Auckland from Sydney to load, and is expected to leave for the South on Saturday.

The Federal-Shire Line has severe! other now boats in commission or building. They aro the Northumberland, Westmoreland, and Aberdeen, all of which are of similar design to the Devon and Cumberland.