STEAMERS ONCE KNOWN HERE.

Dominion, Volume 3, Issue 897, 17 August 1910, Page 4

STEAMERS ONCE KNOWN HERE.

MAY-KEAPPEAE. The San Francisco "Examiner" of July 3 publishes a report "from a high source" l to the effect that the Spreckeis steainera Sonoma and Ventura, which for -three years have lain in idleness'in the upper • bay at San Francisco, waiting in vain for the passing by Congress of the Ship Subsidy Dill, may be shortly replaced on the running from San Francisco to New Zealand and Australia by another means, namely, an agreement with the Union S.S. Company to establish a new. service.. Af- , • ter referring to Sir James Mills's recent visit to San Francisco, the "Examiner" says:— .

' It is now proposed, according to the s ory told by people close to the Spreckels interests,. to rebuild the Sonoma and Ventura, and place them on the Sydney, Auckland, and San Francisco route, with, a third steamer- to be furnished by .Sir James Mills' from the Union Company's fleet,, and to operate a strong line between here and the colonies. Efforts would, of course, be made to secure a subsidy, but the line, with the traffic arrangement with the Union Steam Ship Company, the largest concern of its kind in Australia, would, be expected to return a profit oven without any Government subsidy. V ■ "Under the plans, as reported, the tw* Sprcckels liners, which have been maintained in good order, will be leugthened■4l'ft., and supplied with oil-burning apparatus, and otherwise brought up to " date.- The recent test of oil as fuel in the Sierra, sistti ship of Ihe Sonoma aad Ventura, has shown a. wonderful saving of money, as well as showing increased speed and generally better operation. Tha Sonoma and Ventura are each 400 ft. in length, and their lengthening to the extent of 40ft. would provide tliem with... more staterooms, as well as more cargo ■ space, and enable them to do a large business.".