TINY STEAMER'S LONG TRIP.

Poverty Bay Herald, Volume L, Issue 16606, 9 December 1924, Page 7

TINY STEAMER'S LONG TRIP.

VOYAGE "WITHOUT A HITCH." SYDNEY, Nov. 27.—There arrived this week, en route from England to Auckland, the llangitoto, a steamer, ot 300 tons, originally known as the Ant. The little steamer accomplished the long voyage of 11,000 miles from Britain without mishap, the captain keeping watch of 32 days without a relief. Whcm she left Southampton Captain G2O. Schultze, her skipper, had a mate to assist him with the navigation. But since leaving Colombo on October 24, until lie arrived here, he has maintained an almost ceaseless vigil for 36C0 miles on one of the most treacherous sailing routes in the world.

Usually, in addition to the regular complement of a ekippsr and three navigating officers, vessels passing through the Torres Straits and sailing through the. Coral Sea, off the North Queensland coast, take a pilot to assist them. Knowing the locality well, Captain Seluitzo went without his beauty sleep and achieved a record which compares favorably with any lent of endurance of the old-timers.

The postal authorities of Java conferred an honor upon the little craft by requisitioning her to carry the Australian mails. She is tho smallest mail steamov which has called at Sydney. Formerly owned by the Admiralty, the Rangitoto was recently purchased by Mr. O. T. Niccol, of Auckland.

Captain Schut/o, who speaks highly of the. seagoing qua'.titioi of the Rangitoto. stated that tha long voyage was accomplished without a hitch, and that "thechief engineer was in love with the engines of '.be tiny, but officient, 12-knot-t".'.'' During the run from Sourabaya, the steamer average 2CO miles pec day, which is regarded ad a creditable performance.