THE TUTANKI.

Otago Witness, Issue 3889, 25 September 1928, Page 9

THE TUTANKI.

LONG PERIOD OF USEFULNESS. REPLACEMENT BY LARGER VESSEL. M ELLINGTON, September 17. .After 32 years’ service to the N<-w Zealand Government the Tutanekai is soon to be replaced by a largei and more up-to-date vessel. Like the Hinemoa, wmich was recently replaced by the new motor ship Maui Pomare, the Tutanekai has an historical association with NewZealand shipping., Built as-a combined cable and lighthouse steamer, the Tutanekai made her maiden voyage to New Zealand in 1896 in command of the late Captain J. Fairchild, with Mr J. E. Dawson, now harbourmaster at Wellington, as chief officer. .During the vessel’s long association with New Zealand she has had only three commanders, except during the brief intervals when they were being relieved for holidays. Captain C. E. Post took command in 1896, and retired in 1922, and was succeeded by the present master, Captain J. Bollons. For many years the Tutanekai was employed in tlig. cable service, and she laid nearly all the cables around the New Zealand coast. With the advent of the cable steamer Iris, the Tutanekai was taken off the cable service, and used for work in connection with the lighthouses. Many vice-regal parties have made use of the Tutanekai to visit the outlying islands. The present King and Queen visited the vessel when they were at Lyttelton on the occasion of their visit to New Zealand in 1900. Mr Seddon made a tour round the islands in her, and as a result of this trip the Savage and Cook Islands were shortly afterwards annexed to New Zealand. Tenders have been called for by the Marine Department for the building of a new lighthouse steamer, and will close on October 31. The new vessel will be larger and faster than the Tutanekai, an.', will have a cruiser stern. Two sets of triple-expansion engines will drive the twin screws, and the boilers will be fitted to burn either coal or oil. Accommodation will be provided for a limited number of passengers, and the quarters of the ship’s company will be given special attention. In addition special accommodation has been provided for lighthousekeepers and their families while on transfer. The principal dimensions or the new steamer wli- be:—Length (between the perpendiculars), 210 feet; breadth, 33 feet; mean loaded draught 15 feet 6 inches., Those of the Tutanekai are:— Length, 205 feet; breadth, 30.1 feet f 811 tons gross. ,