Letter-to the Editor

What Knots, Volume 3, Issue 2, 10 December 1945, Page 8

Letter-to the Editor

Sir, ■ ■ In the last few days I have been asked so many, individual questions regarding details of the voyage that I.think it advisable through the medium of your magazine to give- certain, information* Our probable ports of call and the■distances between them are as follows Lyttelton. ...to Sydney 1377 Miles . Sydney.; ” Fremantle ~2166 • K Fremantle ' " :I '' -Colombo ~ .31 34 . ” Colombo Tewfik * .3408 ” Tewfik " Port Said ......... 86. ” Port Said ■" ” Gibraltar .1.91-4 ' ' - 11 • Gibraltar . ” English Channel... 930 " Total Mileage•• 13015 : ” Our final port of destination is uncertain but news of this will be advised as soon as received. Questions have been asked about the speed of the ship. This varies according to circumstances. In the first place a daybreak-' at ports is necessary to transact the essential business with the shore authorities. Secondly, the .welfare, of the patients is always a deciding factor on this particular Hospital Ship, Undoubtedly the majority, are anxious to get home as soon as possible but there are always a few very sick patients for whom comfort is more important than speed* Then all- circumstances are favourable the average cruising speed- is 14.5 knots. \ ' It is probable that the time spent in ports is approximately 24 hrs though there bis no guarantee of .this, especially if the ports are crowded with shipping. From now on all ports worked will be either: roadsteads or bays and the Ship’s boats will have to be used for shore contact. This necessitates a'degree of physical fitness which unfortunately may limit the number allowed to go on leave* It is very unlikely that there will be any leave at all at Tewfik. It will'be seen from the above table that '-the longest leg of the journey is from Colombo to rewfik. Unfortunately this coincides with the hottest ■ weather and there is an increased temptation to use more water; The Ship however carries only 800 tons.of fresh water and there will be an urgent- • need for economy. ■ We expect to cross the line at 4 a*m» on the morning of December I‘7th. Yours faithfully,- •- A*H*PROSSER (Master INZHS ’’MAUNGANUI’’)