NEW COASTER

Otago Daily Times, Issue 27570, 12 December 1950, Page 6

NEW COASTER

Arrival At Dunedin MAIDEN VOYAGE FROM BRITAIN Few people were present to greet the new 737-ton coaster Calm, when she arrived in Dunedin at 10.30 on Sunday night on her maiden voyage from Liverpool, via the Suez Canal and Fremantle.- Because of the lateness of the hour the ship was not “ dressed ” as is usually the case when a delivery voyage is completed. Among those who welcomed the vessel were Mr C. H. Crombie, manager of the Canterbury Steam Ship Company, the owners, and Mr A. R. Turnbull, chairman of directors of the company. Mr Crombie said that the company was proud of its new ship, which would be an asset to the growing coastal fleet. It would be placed in the coastal trade immediately, he said, and would probably become a regular visitor to Dunedin. Captain A. O. Horler, master of the new vessel, said he was pleased with the behaviour of the ship in all kinds of sea. For the most part, the trip, which was by way of the Mediteran* nean Sea, it was uneventful, hut heavy seas were encountered in the Tasman on Thursday. For four hours the ship, was hove to in the face of a strong northerly gale. The Calm . travelled at a moderate speed of about 10 knots all the way and arrived at Dunedin on her scheduled time. Captain Horler and the chief engineer, Mr V. D. Duff, were flown to England to take delivery of the new vessel. Thirteen members of the crew were signed on in England. - The Calm embodies the latest in construction, with her raked stem, funnel streamlined into the bridge structure, and cruiser stern. All accommodation is aft, allowing a clear deck space amidships for carrying and handling cargo. The vessel was built by Scott and Sons, Bowling, on the Clyde, where the Breeze and Gale, two other vessels in the Canterbury Steam Ship Company fleet were built. A social function was held on the ship yesterday afternoon and was attended by the visiting representatives of the company as well as by the chairman of the Otago Harbour Board, Mr W. R. Clarke, and the harbour master, Captain F. Mackenzie. The Calm is expected to sail for Lyttelton today.