WHALING.

Dominion, Volume 3, Issue 845, 17 June 1910, Page 2

WHALING.

♦ — AN TJP-yO-DATE VESSEL. The whaling industry which in tho early days attracted numerous vessels to New Zealand, and which has for many years been almost entiroly neglected—that is, as regards tho well-equipped i whaler—would now seem to. be entering ■ on a new lease of life, for there arrived .at Auckland on June 13 a new and up-to-dato steam whaler, to tho order of a" local syndicate. The principal, when seen by a "Star" reporter, refused to give any information with regard to the further movements of the" vessel, contenting himself with the bare statement that she had arrived. The vessel-, which has been named the Hananui, berthed at the Hobson Street wharf, where sho was inspected by a largo number of people throughout the day, but no one was permitted to go aboard of her. 'The powerful winch and the* harpoongun at the bows at once stamps the vessel as a whaler, and nn inspection of her appointments disclose the fact that nothing has been overlooked that would help in her work. She is a powerful litllo vessel of 44 tons not and 127 tons gross, capable of steaming U knots per hour. She is 93ft. over all by 12ft. Gin. beam, and her engines are on the tripleexpansion principle, with cylinders of 11, 18, and 30in., and an indicated horsepower of 3GO. She was built by Messrs. Smiths' Dock Co., Ltd., of Middlesbrough, and engined by Messrs. Ellingliam and Co., of South Shields. Captain M. Irvine, who has brought eleven steamers out to Australia and New Zealand, including the Waipori, Ivomuta, Kaianoi, Storm, and Waimca, reports that the voyage, including stoppages at six ports en route for bunker coal, occupied 77 rlrvs. The net steaming time was 09 days 22. hours, and as tin: total distance was 13,863 miles, the average speed per hour was SI knots, and per .day 200 miles. He considers this to be the best time put up by any Yessel of her sire coming out to tho Dominion. The engines were never stopped while the vessel was at sea, though they had to be slowed down in the Tasmail Gea. on account of a southerly gale, which lasted from June 8 to June 9. The only other heavy weather encountered was between Batavia and Torres Straits, when moderate to strong monsoons prevailed. Besides Cantain Irvine, the Hananui carries: Chief officer, Mr. T. Gunn; chief engineer, Mr. Booth; *nd « ere* of twelve. All hands sicn off to-day, and Captain T. Cnrmichael, late of the . baiquentino Tlma, assumes command of tin- vessel. Captain Irvine expects sooii to return to London. Tt is believed the vessel's destination is the Auckland and Campbell Islands.