NO TASMAN RACE

Ashburton Guardian, Volume 57, Issue 254, 7 August 1937, Page 5

NO TASMAN RACE

THE AWATEA AND MONTEREY. STATEMENT BY THE MASTERS. <Per Press Association.) AUCKLAND, August 6. In spite of assurances by the masters of both ships and their companies, that it was not intended that the liners Awatea and Monterey should have a speed match on their present crossing from Auckland to Sydney, unusual interest was taken in the sailings of both ships this evening. The Awatea cleared the harbour limits at 5.20 p.m., and the Monterey cleared the port at 9.10 p.m. The master of the Awatea (Captain A. H. Davey) said he did not entertain any intention to race the Matson liner, as racing was definitely forbidden by the company’s regulations. “I never stop to pick daisies, however,” was his comment. Because instructions to the Matson Line masters were against unnecessary speeding, no endeavour would be made by him to reach Sydney before the Awatea, declared Captain E. R. Johanson (master of the Monterey). “Our maximum speed will be 20.5 knots, and no circunffebailees will prompt me to exceed that,” he said. Both shipping companies have pointed out that nothing is gained in arriving at Sydney in the early morning, and have been emphatic in declaring that the possibility of a speed duel would be unecomonic and unnecessary. It is probable that the Tasman crossing will be marked by rough' weather, and the discomfort caused to passengers by travelling at high speeds through such conditions is another factor held to mitigate against the suggestion of a race.