THE SPRECKELS LINE OF STEAMERS.

Timaru Herald, Volume LXXVI, Issue 11663, 23 January 1902, Page 3

THE SPRECKELS LINE OF STEAMERS.

♦ The latest runs of the San Francisco mail steamers Sonoma and Sierra were excellent performances, and in view of this fact some details of the steaming records supplied by the Secretary, General tost Office, will be of interest. The Sonoma left Auckland on the 30th November, 19jl, at 3.46 p.m., and arrived at San Francisco on the 16th December, at 6.30 a.m. Allowing !or adjustment of time, her actual steaming time was 16 days 26 minutes, exclusive ol stoppages, or an average of 15.38 knots an hour. Including stoppages, the run occupied 16 days 10 hours 33 minutes, or an average of 14.99 knots. This is the fastest trip outwards yet accomplished by the'new i steamers. On her return run, the Sonoma left San Francosco on the 26th December at 12.35 p.m., and arrived at Auckland on January 13th, 1902, at 1.50 p.m. .. Her actual steaming time, exclusive of stoppages, was 16 days 13 hours 26 minutes, or an average 0f'14.88 knots. Inclusive of stoppages she took 17 days five htfurs 26 minutes, or an average of 14.30 knots. For the purposes of comparison, it is worth while to mention the Sonoma's, outward voyage, when she left Auckland on the 2nd March. 1901, at 3.35 p.m., and arrived at San Francisco on the 18th March, at 11.25 a.m. Her actual steaming time, exclusive of stoppages, was 16 days two hours 16 minutes, equal to 15.30 knots. Inclusive of stoppages, she occupied 16 days 15 hours 39 minutes, equal to 14.77 knots an hour. This was the fastest voyage outwards, except the one above-mentioned. The Sierra left San Francisco on the 6th December at 11.29 a.m., and arrived at Auckland on the 24th December at 10.30 a.m. This was the fastest voyage inwards. Her actual steaming time," exclusive of stoppages, was 16 davs 11 hours 18 minutes, or an average of 14!96 knots. Inclusive of stoppages, the length of the voyage was 17 dnvs three hours 12 minutes, equal to 14.37 kr.ots an hour.