FASTER STEAMING.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXVI, Issue 20366, 21 September 1929, Page 12

FASTER STEAMING.

NEW EQUIPMENT ON SHIPS.

COMMONWEALTH LINE VESSELS.

Bauer Wach auxiliary turbines are being fitted On all the Commonwealth and Dominion Line steamers, and- on those already equipped the speed of tho vessels has been increased by at least a knot, and tho, coal consumption has diminished. Like the Port Auckland, which visited Auckland last May, the Port Melbourne, which arrived from London yesterday morning, has had the auxiliary machinery installed since sho was at Auckland in March. The Bauer Wach installation is a turbine geared to each propeller shaft, and it utilises the exhaust steam from the low-pressure cylinders. In the case, of the Port Melbourne the speed has been increased to 13 knots, compared with hor former speed ot 12 knots. Other vessels of the company that have been fitted with tho turbine arc the Port Hardy, Port Denison and Port Sydney. The auxiliary machinery will also be fitted to the Port Brisbane, Port Darwin, Port Campbell and Port Wellington., In addition to the steamers mentioned the company has seven fast motor-ships, the Port Alma, Port Dunedin, Port Faery, Port Fremantle, Port Gisborne, Port Hobart and Port Huon. Tho speed of these motor-ships has in somo cases reached over 15 knots.