NEW SHIP

Southland Times, Issue 22510, 19 February 1935, Page 8

NEW SHIP

THE IMPERIAL STAR

BUILT FOR NEW ZEALAND

TRADE

VISIT TO BLUFF

Trim and tidy from her raking stem to her graceful stern the Blue Star Line’s new motor vessel Imperial Star has been a centre of attraction at Bluff since her arrival on Saturday. With one funnel and one mast, supplemented, however, by an unusually large number of Samson posts on which the derricks are slung, she has appeared as the most modern type of business-like cargo carrier and, indeed, this is so, for the present is her maiden voyage. But the Imperial Star has a dual purpose. She carries a limited number of passengers, 12, and for this purpose she is luxuriously fitted up with state rooms and public rooms. To celebrate the vessel’s initial call at Bluff the company yesterday entertained at luncheon on board a large number of representative business men, included in whose number were the president of the Invercargill Chamber of Commerce, Mr C. B. Tapley, and the president of the Southland Provincial Executive of the New Zealand Farmers’ Union, Mr W. J. A. McGregor, of Mt Linton. The chair was occupied by the master. Captain W. Macfarlane, and the principal toast was in the hands of Sir Robert Anderson, who wished the company every success. At the conclusion of the function the guests were conducted over the ship, expressing themselves as pleased at her general appearance and appointments. The Imperial Star was built at the Belfast yards of Messrs Harland and Woolff specially for the New Zealand trade. Thus she is equipped with the latest devices for the carriage of refrigerated cargo, including provision for chilled beef, as well as general cargo. The vessel came straight to New Zealand from the builders’ yards, incidentally making particularly fast time on the outward voyage. Navigational Equipment.

A revolutionary change has been effected with the Imperial Star’s navigational equipment. No longer are men stationed in the bows to heave the lead; nor do they struggle with a wheel of huge dimensions. Instead, the vessel has an electric echo-sounding device and a Sperry gyroscopic compass and automatic pilot, by the use of which the ship adheres to her course without any manual control whatever. The device responsible for ascertaining the depth underneath the ship projects a sound from the keel to the sea-bot-tom which is echoed back again, the interval of time being translated into fathoms and recorded on the bridge. The fire-fighting equipment is also most up-to-date and instant warning of any outbreak is given in the wheelhouse, when the fire can be attacked by means of controlled devices throughout the ship. A circular pane of glass revolving at a speed sufficient to throw off all moisture is for use in rainy or murky weather, performing the same functions as a wind-shield wiper on a motor car. A feature of the Imperial Star’s equipment is that it is all practically fool-proof. Instant warning of any defect or mishap is given to the officer of the watch, and corrective measures can be taken accordingly. A visit to the engine-room of a large ship is always a thrill for laymen, but this is especially so in the case of motorvessels. The Imperial Star is driven by two four-stroke airless injection Diesel engines, which develop 16,000 horsepower. They are really the same as the engines of motor-cars, except that they burn oil and have no spark plugs, the pressure in the cylinders- being sufficiently high to ignite the fuel. Starting is carried out by means of a lever, which, once the engines are turning serves as a throttle. The generators of the vessel are particularly powerful, which is necessary in view of the fact that she is electrically equipped throughout. The engineroom is a picture of cleanliness, neatri2ss and utility. To convey an impression of the efficiency of the engines, which are super-charged, it is only necessary to state that they brought the Imperial' Star over the Panama Canal route to New Zealand in 29 days, which is considered exceptionally fast time. Passenger Accommodation. The accommodation provided for the passengers is sufficiently luxurious to have captivated all who have seen it. The state rooms are commodious, thoroughly ventilated and equipped with i every modern convenience. Neither effort nor money has been spared in the furnishing of the public rooms, which are abundant for the needs of the passengers. Promenade space has been distributed with a lavish _ hand, and on the wide upper deck chairs are placed on which passengers may lounge and enjoy at once the sunshine and the sea ’ breezes. Attractive colour schemes are the secret of the appeal of the public rooms, capacious diningroom, cosy smoking-room and restful lounge. This has also been carried out in the state-rooms, which are equivalent to modern bedrooms in the fullest sense and as far removed from the cabins of former times as chalk from cheese.

Stream-lining, the craze of the motor industry, has spread to ships, it is evident from a glance at the Imperial Star. Her bridge structure is rounded, but most outstanding is her one huge funnel, which tapers away most noticeably to the rear. This idea has been followed right through with the result that Captain Macfarlane can justifiably boast that at a speed of 16 knots the idea of motion is hardly present on his ship. The Imperial Star gives an impression of size and capacity, and an added appeal is that her newness has not yet worn off.