EMPIRE FOOD SHIPS

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume 77, Issue 153, 30 June 1934, Page 9

EMPIRE FOOD SHIPS

MOTOR LINER LAUNCHED. [ British Official Wireless. J RUGBY, June 28. The motor vessel Waipawa, 10,760 tons, the second of two Empire food ships which Harland and Wolff are building for the Shaw, Savill and Albion Company, was launched at Belfast. Tire vessel will be engaged in the trade between London and New Zealand, via the Panama CanalThe Waipawa is a sister-ship to the Waiwerea, which was launched at Belfast on May 1. In all, there are three ships under construction for the Shaw, Savill, and Albion Company. The third, which has been named the Wairangi, was only ordered last November, whereas the keels of the other two were laid down in June, 1933. The vessels will be larger and faster than tho Zealandic, Coptic, Karamea, and Taranaki, which are all of 8280 tons gross register, and have a sped of 15 knots. The new ships are built for a speed of between 16 and 17 knots, and will be among the largest and fastest cargo liners trading to New Zealand. The Waiwera is scheduled to leave London on her maiden trip to New Zealand on September 12, bringing cargo for Suva. Port Chalmers, Lyttelton, and New Plymouth. She is due at Port Chalmers about October 21. The Waipawa is to leave for New Zealand on November 14.