AN OCEAN RACE.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXV, Issue 19962, 2 June 1928, Page 12

AN OCEAN RACE.

AUCKLAND TO SYDNEY. KEEN CONTEST RECALLED. MARAROA AND THE SONOMA. REMARKABLE SPEED ATTAINED. The ocean race from Auckland to Sydney, referred to by a correspondent in Thursday's Herald, was probably the contest between tho Union Company s steamer Mararoa and the Spreckel Lino steamer Sonoma, not the Sierra. The incident occurred in 1900, tho Mararoa then being in the Dunedin-Auckland-Syd-nev run, and tho Sonoma in tho San Fian-cisco-Auckland-Sydney mail service. The race caused considerable interest both in New Zealand and Australia, and thousands of pounds changed hands in bets. Both steamers wero scheduled to leave 'Auckland for Sydney tho same afternoon, but the Sonoma was late in arriving from San Francisco, and her departure for Sydney had to be postponed. In order that tho two steamers could sail about the same time it was announced that tho Mararoa had to have minor repairs made to her engines—an excuse to delay her until the Sonoma was ready to leave. A ' Flying Start. The Sonoma's delay was too prolonged, Sand as the Mararoa could not be detained any longer orders were given for her to jtail alone. Tho Sonoma was berthed on the outer end of tho old Queen Street .Wharf, with her stern to the west, and the Mararoa was lying bow out at Firth's Wharf, where the Central Wharf is now. The conditions were auspicious for the start of an ocean race, the night being calm and clear, and there was not a ripple on the harbour. The Mararoa s position at the wharf allowed her to proceed direct to sea without having to manoeuvre at the wharves. About ten o'clock at night Captain E. Phillips, the commander of tho Mararoa, issued instructions to "stand bv." He next gave three orders, viz., "Let go forward;" "Let go aft;" "Full speed ahead." It is probably the only time in Auckland that a steamer has departed tinder such speedy conditions. The Mararoa moved swiftly out from between the wharves, and as she passed the Sonoma an American called out in a clear ringing voice: "Good bye, Mararoa; we wish you all sorts of luck." Race in Full Swing. 'As he spoke the Mararoa's helm was put hard aport, and she turned on her heel and headed down the harbour. Off Rangitoto Beacon the Mararoa's engines had warmed up to their work, and were making their maximum amount of revolutions. During the fine weather run across the Tasman Sea the engines never lost a stroke, and there were high hopes on board that the Mararoa would prove the Sonoma's equal, if not her master. No wireless was installed on either steamer, so the progress of the race could not be reported. It was thought in Sydney that the two steamers had left Auckland together, and when the signalman at Sydney Heads reported the Mararoa in sight, but no sign of the Sonoma, it was concluded the Ma/aroa was .an easy winner. As the Mararoa steamed up Sydney Harbour passengers on passing ferry steamers cheered and called out: "What have you done .with the Yank 1" Mararoa's Fine Performance. The Sonoma, however, proved the speedier steamer, her time for the trip being 3 days, 3 hours, 16 minutes, which was 3 hours, 34 minutes faster than the time occupied by the Mararoa, which was 3 days, 6 hours, 50 minutes. The record ' has since been beaten by the Royal Mail liner Niagara, which went from Sydney to Auckland in 3 days, 23 minutes. The Mararoa's speed during tho trip was remarkable, considering that she was only a vessel of 2598 tons, and was then 15 years old. The Sonoma was a new liner of 6000 tons, and was built specially to maintain a fast San Francisco mail service. The Mararoa was built, for the Union Company at Dumbarton in 1885. It is stated she upset all the old ideas regarding steam pressures, and opened the eyes of New Zealanders as to what a modern steamship could be in luxury and speed. The lines of her hull arid her compact engines have ever since been the admiration of seamen and engineers. Even now if she was overhauled she is capable of steaming just as fast as when she was built 43 years ago.