SPEED AND BUSINESS

Dominion, Volume 12, Issue 159, 31 March 1919, Page 8

SPEED AND BUSINESS

28-KNOT DASH ACIIOSS COOK . ' STRAIT. . There was quite a'stir in yachting circles in Wellington yesterday when a yepspeedy craft made its first appearance m Port Nicholson under rather sensational circumstances. The crews of yachts and launches which were cruising round were spellbound when the .Picton launch Cachalot came careering .up the harbour at a little more than 20 knot? an hour. It was a most thrilling sight which delighted tho observers who were obviously .fascinated at the great speed of the trim little craft. • ' '" To thoso oil board it was equally thrilling, for it was urgent and important business which had brought about the visit of the Cachalot to these waters. The story which led up to the arrival of this craft is : suggestive of a movie thrill. ~ _ 11 On Saturday afternoon Mr. H. iNattrass, governing director of the- Nattrass and Harris Motor Company, left in the Nikau for Nelson. Departure was taken from Wellington 'at .'about 4 p.in;, and the - little vessel arrived at Nelson at about 4.30 a.m. yesterday. On arrival at Nelson. Mr. Nattrass found that important business required his attendance in Wellington lit once. The business was urgent aiyl the trip back to' this city had to be accomplished right away. A certain stretch of the journey could be accomplished by motor, but there was the question of negotiating Cook Strait.Tho possibility of meeting friends in I Victou presented itself to Mr. Aat trass, j so he-decided to commence the return journey right' away.. • -■ • high-powered car was procured arid leaving Nelson at half-past six yesterday morning the journey to Picton was accomplished by 11 a.m. - All Picton wSs at church, so Mr. Nattrass had to hunt up his friend,'. Mr. J. Perano, who was also at church. He had to wait till the i conclusion of the service and on explains 4ng the urgency of the business Mr; Pfe* mho offered to run him across to Welltngton in his fast lauuch. The, little vessel,- which has a Yanbeck engine of. lSa-h.p„ was quickly commissioned, and the party, including Mr. S. Toms, of "o Awaite. started on its journey;' f A. stopwas made in -Tory Channel, at "e Avraite. where Mr, l'erano took on board benzine supplies, and at ten minutes to three (half an hour, after leaving Pieton Wharfs the Cachalot was dashing across Cook Strait at a speed of- 28 knots. , , The weather conditions were ideal lor the trip, tho sea being practically calm. Prom Sinclair Head .smooth .water was experienced, and • the little craft dashed along through Chaffers Passage and up the entrance at a spM.i which amazed all who saiv her. Bounding Point Halswell the Cachalot met one of the Bastbourne ferry steamers,, and passed hci at an amazing jpeed. - Those on board found it • difficult to comprehend'■ that such a small . craft could travel so swiftly. „ „ , At twenty minutes past five the (jacha-. lot was alongside the wharf, and Mr. Nattrass- was homo again , m time to deal with his urgent business, The return trip from Nelson had occupied just about eleven hours, and the trip by launch is a record'as far as cross btrait. travelling is concerned." , ' > The Circhalot is what : w described as a concave convex V-bottomed craft built for whale-hunting ■ purposes. She is 34ft. in length, and has a beam of 7ft. Bin. She is used, extensively; by Mr. Perano and party in their whaling operalions off Tory Channel'," arid-is a thor-. oughly good sea boat, even though she has a!very small draught,' and. is so 6peWy. o ' '■ Lieutenant A. Jackson, of the Motor Boat) Patrol Service, who -comes from. le Awaite. stated in a - recent letter-froni Home that the Cachalot was similar ui design to tho U-boat cliascrs, but was much faster. , . • ~ '.- ' Mr. Perano and Mr. Toina returned to Picton with the Cachalot last evening.