22¼ KNOTS

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume 74, Issue 189, 12 August 1931, Page 8

22¼ KNOTS

PuANGATIBA’S TRIAL SPEED. FAST NEW FERRY STEAMER. WELLINGTON, August 10. Loaded to the regulation draught of about 16 or 17 feet, the Union Company’s new ferry steamer Rangatira, which was launched from the Barrow-in-Furness yards of Messrs. Vickers, Armstrong on 16th April, attained a speed of 22| knots over the measured mile on her trial towards the end of last week, according to advice received by the owners to-day. The revolutions were 221| per minute, and the horsepower 13,800. It is stated that all the conditions of the contract were fulfilled.

The results of the Rangatira’s trials are considered highly satisfactory, and give further support to the claim that she will prove a notable addition to the ships running on the New Zealand coast, and will be very popular in the Wellington-Lyttelton nightly ferry service, in which she will replace the Maori on her arrival from Home.

The Rangatira is expected to leave for New Zealand on Wednesday, and the time to be taken on the voyage will depend largely on the speed which can be maintained on the long ocean run from Panama to Wellington. Not being equipped as an ocean-going vessel, she will be able to carry only a limited amonut of oil fuel, and it will be necessary for her to steam at a speed which will make the most economical use of her fuel. It is estimated, however, that the trip will take about 33 to 35 days.

Particulars of the Rangatira have been given from time to time and from what has appeared in British papers it is evident that nothing has been spared to make her thoroughly suitable for the ferry run, and ensure that, so far as it. is possible to overcome the trials of Cook Strait, passengers will have a comfortable crossing. She has a tonnage of about 600 Q as compared with the Wahine’s 4436, and will accommodate a thousand passengers. She is electrically propelled.