SHIPS' NEW ENGINES

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXV, Issue 23109, 6 August 1938, Page 16

SHIPS' NEW ENGINES

NORTHERN COMPANY FLEET THE OTIMAI TO WITHDRAW With a view to securing greater efficiency, economy in running and higher speed, the Northern Steamship Company is fitting three of its motorvessels with new and more powerful engines. Tho installation of a new unit in tho Motu was completed this week. The Otimai, which will arrive from Whakatano this afternoon, will bo put out of commission on Monday, when the installation of now engines will begin. After tho work on the Otimai has been completed it is the company's intention to replace the unit in the Tuhoe. When built, the Motu and Otimai wore fitted with twin semi-Diesel engines of 160 brako horse-power, which aro now being replaced by twin full Diesel engines of 240 brake horse-power. The Motu returned to Auckland from Awanui yesterday after her first trip with her new engines. In spite of rough seas and strong head winds she made a very satisfactory run, reducing the usual time by several hours. Tho Tuhoe, which is in tho AucklandPaeroa service, will have her semiDiesel* engines of 120 brako liorse-power replaced by twin engines of 180 horsepower. "These new engines will increase tho speed of tho vessels considerably," said Captain R. C. Hammond, manager of tho company, yesterday. "Apart from economy in running, they will allow tho ships to mako passages in bad weather where in the past they have had to seek shelter."