THE MATAI.

Otago Witness, Issue 3995, 7 October 1930, Page 65

THE MATAI.

NEW 7 ZEALAND’S NEWEST SHIP.

(Photograph in This Issue).

Early in August the twin-screw lighthouse and general service steamer Matai, constructed by Messrs R. and W. Hawthorn Leslie and Co.. Ltd., to the order of the Government of New Zealand under the superintendence of Messrs F. H Mitchell and Co.. Newcastle-on-Tyne, ran a highly successful trial off the River Tyne. The vessel, which has an attractive appearance, is 228 ft overall with a beam of 35ft. She is rigged as a two-masted fore and aft schooner with clipper stem and cruiser stern. Although primarily intended for lighthouse service, she is also designed to serve as the official yacht for the Governor-General of New Zealand when required, and special accommodation is arranged on the bridge deck for the use of their Excellencies and staff. A large dining saloon is also provided for their use. which extends for the full breadth of the vessel and is conveniently situated on the upper deck. Accommodation is provided in the bridge ’tween deck for 24 lightkeepers, with a special dining saloon for their use. The vessel has a very complete electrical installation comprising two steam and one emergency generating sets. Refrigerated stores are installed on the lower deck abaft the machinery space, and are fitted with C. 02 machinery. The wireless installation is very complete, and comprises a 1A k.w. transmitter and emergency transmitter and two receivers, a direction finder being also installed, and an echo sounding apparatus of the latest type.

The vessel is specially arranged for dealing with buoys, and is fitted with a special type of windlass for this purpose, while two derricks capable of lifting six tons and one of 15 tons are fitted at the foremast. The life-saving appliances are of the most up-to-date description. A motor launch and surf boats are also provided on the boat deck with electric hoisting winches. The machinery consists of two sets of triple expansion engines of the directacting surface condensing type, having cylinders 12Jin, 21in, and 35in working at 105 revolutions -per minute. The air pumps, bilge, and sanitary pumps are worked off the main engines, and the remainder of the auxiliaries, including centrifugal circulating pump and Weir’s feed pumps are of the independent type. Steam is supplied at a pressure of 1801 b per square inch from two single ended cylindrical boilers, which are fitted to burn either oil fuel or coal. The Matai left the River Tyne on her voyage to New Zealand on Friday, August 15.