NEW CARGO VESSEL

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXI, Issue 21744, 8 March 1934, Page 8

NEW CARGO VESSEL

MOTOR-SHIP PORT CHALMERS

ARRIVING AUCKLAND TO-DAY

The latest addition to the large number of vessels trading; between Great Britain and New Zealand is the Commonwealth and Dominion Line's new motor-ship Port Chalmers. She will arrive from New Plymouth early this morning and will berth at Queen's Wharf to continue loading refrigerated and general cargo for London and Hamburgh. She will complete her cargo at Lyttelton and Wellington. She is the first of two motor-ships ordered by the company. The second vessel, which was ordered last December, is a sister ship to the Port Chalmers and .will be named the Port Wyndham. The Port Chalmers is also the first of nine motor-ships which have been ordered for the New Zealand trade. Three are being built, for the Shaw. Savill and Albion Company, two for the Federal Line and two. for the Blue Star Line. Like the Port Chalmers, all the new vessels being constructed will be fitted with the latest in refrigerating appliances, special provision being made for the carriage of chilled beef, as well as eggs, cheese and fruit, with the varying requirements of each of these commodities.

The Port Chalmers has five of her six holds insulated for the carriage of perishable produce, giving a. capacity of 465,000 feet. In view of the success obtained by the company in the carriage of chilled beef by the motor-ship Port Fairy from New Zealand to London, with the aid of carbonic acid cas. certain compartments of the Port Chalmers have been made as far as possible gas-tight. The new motor-ship is a vessel of 8535 tons gross, and is driven by two sets of Diesel engines, her designed speed being 15£ knots. Her 18 cargo winches and all her deck machinery are driven electrically. In addition to being a large cargo carrier she also has accommodation on board for 12 passengers.