MODERN TANKER

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXV, Issue 22983, 10 March 1938, Page 18

MODERN TANKER

SHIP'S MAIDEN VOYAGE RECORD BENZINE CARGO ARRIVAL FROM BAHREIN Uno of the finest ships of her class j to have visited Auckland, tho Panama motor-tanker China arrived yesterday afternoon from Bahrein Island, in tho Persian Gulf. Of 11,445 tons gross, she is the second largest tanker Auckland has seen and probably tho most advanced in equipment. The China was launched from the famous Krupp yards at Kiel, Germany, only a few months ago and after sho was fitted out she left for Bahrein Island to load for New Zealand. Her maiden voyage has given a happy start to her career, good conditions prevailing throughout. According to her master, Captain C. Kroger, seas were shipped oil her decks only when the New Zealand coast was neared. When the China entered port she was drawing 29fc. of water and as her freeboard was correspondingly low an indication is given of the typo of passage from tho Persian Gulf. In spite of a very heavy cargo, the China averaged 11 i knots for the voyage, excellent speed for a ship of her class. Tho China brought 14,600 tons of motor-spirit from Bahrein Island, under charter to Associated Motorists Petrol Company. This, in cubic capacity, is equivalent to 17,400 tons of water and, in the opinion of Captain Kroger, is the largest cargo purely of motor-spirit ever carried by a tanker. In 6pite of her squat appearance the China is among the most pleasing* ships to have visited Auckland. Practically everything above decks has been painted silver, from masts and ventilators to accommodation and navigation quarters and the effect, contrasting with the black of the hull and the red and brown of the decks, is striking. Navigating, engine-room and tank equipment follow the most modern developments and the accommodation for officers and crew is of the very high, almost luxurious, standard seen on numbers of the more recent tankers. A doctor is carried and there is a wellequipped ship's hospital. The China, which is discharging at Western Wharf, will leave this afternoon for Wellington, Lyttelton and Dunedin.