NEW CARGO SHIPS

Otago Daily Times, Issue 22422, 17 November 1934, Page 22

NEW CARGO SHIPS

NEW ZEALAND TRADE WAIRANGI AND IMPERIAL STAR. Two new refrigerated vessels for the New Zealand trade were launched on October 9 by Messrs Harland and Wolff, the Imperial Star for the Blue Star Line at Belfast, and the Wairangi for the Shaw, Savill and Albion Company, at Govan. The Imperial Star is the first of an order of three, and the Wairangi the last of a similar order. Lady Vestey, wife of the Right Hon. Lord Vestey, of Kingswood, christened the Imperial Star, which was built at the East Yard, and Mrs Frank Charlton, wife of a director of the Shaw, Savill Cotnpany, named the Govan vessel. In size, the two ships are almost identical: They are over 500 feet long, with a beam of 70 feet and gross tonnage of 10,760. They are motor driven, and the refrigerated space is about half a million cubic feet in each. The Imperial Star is a vessel of very distinctive appearance, with a raking stem, ''cruiser stern, and a low motor ship funnel. She is built to Lloyd’s 100 A 1 class, with freeboard, and designed to the usual Board of Trade and Factory Act requirements. She is of the following dimensions:—Length between perpendiculars, 516 ft Bin; length overall, about 535 ft 6in; breadth, moulded, 70ft; gross tonnage, about 10,670. The vessel is a shelter-decker with three tiers of ’tween decks, a forecastle, and long bridge erection. Special attention has been given to the general appearance of this vessel by eliminating the mainmast and fitting only a foremast, which gives the vessel a smart and rakish appearance. Thu hull is divided by eight watertight bulkheads and has six holds, all insulated. The double bottom extends fore and aft and is divided into tanks for fresh water, water ballast, and oil fuel, the fore and after peaks serving as ballast tanks. The double bottom structure is specially strengthened under the engines. In addition to the oil fuel carried in the double bottom, deep tanks for oil fuel are arranged to the forward end of the engine room, and also at the sides of

and between the tunnels at the after end. Accommodation for 12 passengers is arranged about the bridge deck, comprising four single and four double berth rooms, each room having a private bathroom. Quarters for the captain on the navigating bridge and officers’ and engineers’ accommodation in the midship deckhouse on bridge deck is provided. The propelling machinery consists of two 10-cylinder, four-cycle, single-acting, crosshead, type, airless injection Diesel engines. The propellers are direct coupled. The pistons are cooled with oil, whilst the cylinder covers and jackets are fresh-water cooled. Air for pressure induction is supplied by turboblowers driven by the main engine exhaust, and the discharge is direct to the inlet manifold. The engines are manoeuvred by compressed air stored in three steel reservoirs. The electrical installation will be supplied by three main Diesel driven generators, each having an output of 330 kw. at a speed of 300 r.p.m. In addition to the lighting, the whole of the deck and machinery auxiliaries will be electrically driven. There will also be a number of electrically-operated ventilating fans and workshop machinery, The living accommodation will be electrically heated, while the galley will be provided with an electric range and other electrical cooking apparatus. Cabin and ceiling fans ard* installed throughout the accommodation, as also a very complete system of bells and telephones. The latest type of wireless telegraphy is fitted, both in long and short wave, and an improved form of direction finder to assist navigation; an “ echo ’’ sounding apparatus is also provided. The Wairangi represents cargo motor liner practice of the highest type, and is specially designed for the carriage of refrigerated produce on Empire trade routes. A shelter deck with three tiers of ’tween decks, forecastle and long bridge erection and squat “ motor ship ” funnel. The vessel has six holds, of which Nos. 1 to 6 inclusive are insulated, and each hatch is adequately served by steel tubular derricks, those on the fore and main mast being capable of dealing with 10-ton loads and the remainder with seven tons. The Wairangi is being built to Lloyd’s 100 A 1 class with freeboard. She is

designed to the usual Board of Trade and Factory Act requirements, and has the following dimensions: —Length b.p., 515 ft; length 0.a., 535 ft 6in (approximately) ; beam, moulded, 70ft; depth moulded, 43ft 4Jin (to upper decks); gross tonnage, 10,760 (approximately). The hull is divided by eight watertight bulkheads. The twin screws operate in front of a rudder of semibalanced streamlined type, with four-ram electric-hydraulic steering gear. The propelling machinery of the Wairangi consists of two 10-cylinder, fourcycle, single-acting, crosshead type, airless injection Diesel engines of HarlandB. and W. type. The pistons are cooled with oil, whilst the cylinder covers and jackets are fresh-water cooled.