FASTER TANKERS

Otago Daily Times, Issue 23858, 12 July 1939, Page 19

FASTER TANKERS

STEPS FOR DEFENCE AUXILIARIES FOR NAVY Attention to the uses of tankers to meet the requirements of the world’s navies in time of war is drawn by the arrival at Auckland of the Admiralty oil-tanker Abbeydale vith fuel oil for the Devonport Naval Base from Abadan, in the Persian Gulf. The Abbeydale, which was designed for a speed of 114 knots, is one of a class comprising some of the biggest ships in the Admiralty tanker fleet. In addition to her own supply, the vessel has a deadweight capacity of 11,650 tons. Foreign navies, in particular, have in the past year shown great interest in the possibilities for merchant tankers in time of war. Japan and the United States are to the forefront in this respect, Under Government requirements, the Japanese tanker companies are building ships with a speed in excess of 18 knots, a typical vessel being the Nichei Maru. capable of 19 knots Latest American Tankers In accordance with the programme of the United States Maritime Commission for the extension of that country’s merchant fleet, tenders have been invited for the construction of 12 tankers of a speed of 184 knots. This speed is about two knots more than that of vessels at present under construction in the United States, and the new ships will be especially useful for auxiliary service with the American Navy. It is generally contended, however, that shipowners, if not Influenced by external considerations, would not have found it desirable to make any increase in the speed of their fleets. New Zealand has been fortunate m having calls paid by ships typical of succeeding advances in tanker design in many countries, but no vessel has been capable of much more than 12 knots. The 10,000-ton tankers of the Vacuum Oil Company’s service to New Zealand and the slightly smaller ships of the Shell Company are in practically every instance ships built within the past two or three years. Of the 14 vessels of all companies which have paid first visits to Auckland in the past year, eight were built in 1937 or later, three in 1936. and the remainder since 1927. These tankers may be taken as representative of the type of vessel generally favoured, their speed of about 12 knots being considered most economical for general purposes. British Opinion It is apparent that the “ freak ” tankers ordered by some countries are not to be followed by British owners, who consider that high speeds are not a paying proposition from the point of view of the industry. On the pother hand, however, the advantages from the national point of view of even a slight increase of two or three knots are strong. In time of emergency, the British merchant tankers would be required to supply a number of vessels for auxiliary service with the fleet, and in addition to maintain the essential carriage of petrol and fuel oil to the Empire countries. There are signs that steps will be taken to investigate the possibilities of higher speeds as a national defence measure.