NEW EXCURSION STEAMER.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXI, Issue 18889, 11 December 1924, Page 7

NEW EXCURSION STEAMER.

THE RANGITOTO ARRIVES. VOYAGE FROM ENGLAND. The latest addition to the many excursion steamers in Auckland is tho Rangitoto, which arrived from England early yesterday morning and is now berthed at the Queen's Wharf. The vessel was originally built for the passenger trade in the Amazon River, and she is a very suitable type for excursion work in the Hauraki Gulf. Her clean appearance would almost belie the fact that she has just completed a voyage of 14,000 miles. The voyage was made without any sensational incident, but the Rangitoto has proved herself to be a fine sea boat. After she was built at the commencement of the war the Ant, as she was then named, was taken over by the Admiralty and used at Portsmouth to ferry the men-, of-warsrneu between the shore and the warships. On being purchased by Mr, G. Niccol, the vessel was renamed. She left Southampton for Auckland on September 11, and en route to this port the Rangitoto called at Malta, Port Said, Aden, Colombo, Sourabaya, and Sydney. It was originally intended to proceed from Colombo to Freniajitle, but the route was altered via the Torres Strait owing to very stormy weather in the Indian Ocean.

Owing to the mate leaving at Colombo, Captain George Schutzo navigated the vessel to Sydney by himself. The longest run on the voyage was between Sourabaya and Java, a distanco of about 3600 miles. The speed of the vessel was on an economical masis, but she covered the long run in 18 days and had plenty oi fuel in her bunker!! on arrival at Sydney on November 25. After a week the Rangitoto sailed on December 3 for Auckland, i

The Rangitoto is a three-deck vessel. The upper and boat decks are open and very roomy. The main deck is below and covered in. No doubt openings will be made in the side on this deck before she engages in excursion work. The chartroom and captain's cabin are on the boat deck, and directly underneath on the upper deck is the wheelhouse and steering gear. Living quarters for the crew are situated in the fore part of tho main deck. The vessel is 164 ft. long, with a 35ft. beam and 7ft. 6in. loaded draught. She is fitted with electric light: and steam steering gear. Her engines are triple expansion, the cylinders being IS, 25, and 40 inches, with a 24in. stroke. Her best day's run on the voyage war; 236 miles, but if opened out it is finderstood she can steam 12 knots.

The chief engineer, Mr. M. Henderson, and his assistant, Mr. J. Black, aro responsible for the smooth-running of the engines, which gave no trouble on the voyage.