THE TUG SOUTHLAND.

Southland Times, Issue 21199, 27 September 1930, Page 5

THE TUG SOUTHLAND.

To The Editor.

Sir,—ln your issue of the 20th ultimo, a letter signed R. J. Hamilton referred to a proposal, made, to him by a Stewart Island gentleman, viz. that “the Government should be approached to put the ‘Southland’ in order for the Stewart Island service and she would be placed at the writer’s disposal, etc.” I think it is pretty well known throughout New Zealand that this fine boat, although most .suitable from a tourist point of view, has proved a failure' from an engineering point, owing to breakdowns and unreliability, and I' would like to’ offer a few suggestions, which, if adopted, would eliminate the engine faults, and make the vessel what she ought to be —a reliable and comfortable boat.

Suggestion 1. Lower compression in all cylinders by means of specially made rings for cylinder head joints, and reduce area of propeller blades, but not the diameter. By doing this it will reduce the h.p. of each engine to about 450 h.p. and this will reduce the pressure on main crank shaft bearings and also on crank pins. 2.. To avoid breakage of small lubricating pipes, instal a large single pipe along the back of- each engine ■ for lubricating system, lead smaller pipes off at each cylinder and have adjustable needle values at each'connection—this lubricating system to be force fed. at 251 b. to the square inch, with by pass for above this pressure, with adjustment attached. 'lhe approximate cost of the above alterations, etc. would amount to £250 and could be tendered for. locally. As the vessel has been laid aside for some little time, 1 presume there would also be a little expenditure required in the way of painting, etc. —I am, etc., INTERESTED.