LONG VOYAGE ENDED.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXIV, Issue 19698, 26 July 1927, Page 10

LONG VOYAGE ENDED.

GREENOCK TO AUCKLAND.

ARRIVAL OF HAUTURU.

NORTHERN COMPANY'S VESSEL

Having completed a voyage of 11,764 miles the Northern Company's new auxiliary schooner Hauturu, of 270 gross tons, reached Auckland in charge of Captain F. Donovan, from Greenock yesterday afternoon. The vessel made a smart trip for her size, as she covered the distance in 65 days at an average speed of 8.1 knots. She sailed from Greenock on May 21 and experienced stormy westerly weather during the first week at sea. After passing the Azores Islands fine weather prevailed and she reached Colon on June 15. The following day the vessel passed through the canal and tied up at Balboa, where a stay of two days was made to allow of minor repairs to the engines. The oil fuel bunkers were also replenished at Balboa and afterwards the vessel resumed her journey on Juno 19. There was a continuation of fair conditions in the Pacific until the ship was a week from Auckland, when she again encountered stormy westerly weather and rough head seas. The Hauturu is .reported to be a fine sea boat and proved very buoyant during boisterous weather, very little water being shipped on deck. When the winds were from a favourable quarter the sails were used as auxiliary power, but during stormy conditions the sails were reefed and helped to steady the ship. She is fitted with twin Bolinder oil engines each of 150 horse-power. The engines worked well and were used continuously throughout the voyage. The vessel carried 64 tons of oil fuel and the daily consumption was 1.5 tons. The hold contained 150 tons of coal, which was carried for ballast. At Balboa two of the seamen deserted and remained ashore. The Hauturu is the latest addition to the company's fleet, and she is similar in design to but larger than the auxiliary schooner Otimai. She is built of steel and her draught is shallow, as she is to be used in the cargo service between Auckland and the shallow draught coasfal ports.