TASMAN CROSSING

Otago Daily Times, Issue 23332, 26 October 1937, Page 9

TASMAN CROSSING

AWATEA’S NEW RECORD WEST TO EAST CROSSING / (Special to Daily Times) ' AUCKLAND, Oct. 25, Breaking her own record of 2 days 11 hours 36 minutes for the Tasman crossing from Sydney to Auckland, established in the voyage which concluded on Labour Day last year, the Union Company’s liner Awatea arrived from Sydney this morning, having covered the distance in 2 days 10 hours 52 minutes, at an average speed of 21.8 knots. Ideal conditions prevailed and the breaking of the record was merely incidental to the liner reaching Auckland in time to berth before 8 o’clock. The previous record for the Sydney-Auckland run was broken by 44 minutes. It was established in similar circumstances last year when it was desired to have the liner alongside the wharf before 8 o’clock. Leaving Sydney at 5.2 o’clock on Friday afternoon, the Awatea passed the Heads at 5.53 For the first day she averaged 21.2 knots, and the speed was then gradually increased until she was running at a steady 22, which was maintained for the remainder of the voyage. The speed was reduced in the Rangitoto Channel at 6.45 o’clock this morning, and the liner was alongside at 7.45. Only five of her six boilers were in use.,. Though the Awatea’s average speed for crossing, 21.8 knots, was the fastest ever made on the west to east journey, her time was not a west to east record. She steamed from Sydney to Wellington in 2 days 9 hours 15 minutes in January this for the capabilities of his ship was expressed by the master of the Awatea, Captain Davey. He emphasised the fact that he had not set out to break the Sydney-Auck-land record, but merely to come alongside before 8 o’clock. The captain also mentioned with pride that his command was the third fastest ship in the Empire. _ , A novel wind-vane, in the form ot a racing greyhound of polished stainless steel, is at present being made in Sydney for the Awatea, It will be mounted probably when the liner returns to Sydney on the fore truck, and will serve also as a symbol of the ship’s speed.