A LENGTHY JOURNEY.

Otago Daily Times, Issue 19351, 11 December 1924, Page 10

A LENGTHY JOURNEY.

SMALL STEAMER’S VOYAGE. ARRIVAL OF RANGITOTO. (Per United Press Association.) AUCKLAND, December 10. After covering 14,000 mile's across the sea from Southampton the handy little three-deck steamer Rangitoto, of 300 tons, arrived at Auckland this morning via Sydney. Her long voyage was accomplished in 69 actual steaming days, the vessel averaging 200 fniles per day for tha trip. The Rangitoto was under the command of Captain George Schultze, of Syd ney, who had with him a crew of 16 men, all British with the exception of the cook, who was a Chinese. Questioned this morning as to the vessel’s seagoing qualities. Captain Schultze, who, by the way, is well known in New Zealand and Australia, was full of praise for his stout little craft. “ She never shipped a drop of water all the way, and there is no doubt that she is a magnificent ship,” he said with genuine pride. On October 7, while passing through the Red Sea, the Rangitoto was invaded by thousands of small birds, not unlike Egyptian swallows. The birds were quite tame and made themselves at home in every part of the ship. Soon after their arrival numbers of the birds began to die off. and next day the birds were dropping dead all over the ship. Members of the crew said the birds were found dead in the cabins and staterooms, their bodies being found behind the book-cases, pictures, etc.

When he left Southampton Captain Schultzo had with him a mate to assist in navigation, but after leaving Colombo he carried on the difficult task alone, and on the run to Sydney maintained an almost ceaseless vigil. The mascot of the boat is a black cat, which is a universal favourite on board. It is curious to note that when the swarm of birds visited the ship the cat left • the feathered visitors strictly alone and refused to make any attempt to catch them or even to eat the dead ones. Built at Glasgow at the commencement of the war, the Rangitoto, then known as the Ant, was originally intended for tho Amazon River trade. She was, however, taken over by the Admiralty and used for taking bluejackets to and from battleships at Portsmouth. The Rangitoto, which is now owned by Mr Geo. Niccol, will be employed in tho Auckland trade, but it is not certain in which branch she will see service.