A MODERN COASTER

Evening Star, Issue 22147, 30 September 1935, Page 11

A MODERN COASTER

—— : THE KARU ARRIVES HANDSOME AND SEAWORTHY An unusually handsome vessel for her size is the Union Company’s new motor vessel Karu, which arrived on her first visit to this port last night. Uuilt by Alexander Stephen and Sons Ltd., Linthouse, the Karu is an outstanding littlo vessel, and is the first of her type built by the Union Company. With cruiser stern, quarterdeck aft, a full bridge, and well-bal-anced funnel, the Karu is very fine under water, having been specially designed for economical running, and with her fine bow and stern lines is a striking little vessel. Of 1,060 tons gross, she has a length of 230 ft, a beam of 35ft, and a depth of 16ft 6in. Sixcylinder Stephen-Sultzer Diesel engines of 800 i.h.p. drive a single screw and give her a service speed of 11 knots on a very small fuel consumption. The lines of the ship have been designed to obtain the best economy in ■propulsion and fuel consumption, and to ensure the utmpst propeller efficiency the builders have fitted their own design of streamlined sternpost and rudder, constructed of gas-cut mild steel, folded and welded. The type was recently developed by Messrs Stephen for a highspeed Channel steamer. The cargo is canned in three holds, two forward and one aft, which are specially arranged for safety when the vessel is carrying banzol or petrol. The three large hatches are each equipped with two electric whiches and steel derricks arranged to handle lifts of up to 20 tons. The hatch covers are secured by patent battens for speedy rein oval. The derricks and gear are designed to be ready for use as soon as the vessel ties up, and expeditious loading and discharging have been made possible by the efficiency of the ship’s gear. The wireless installation includes provision for fitting telephones later, and the heavy electrical load of_ all these fittings, together with the six electric cargo winches and the engine room auxiliaries is provided from three Diesel generators, each developing 60 kilowatts at 900 revolutions. An electrical transformer, or motor generator, is fitted to take current from shore 'when in port. An insulated chamber for provisions is fitted near the galley and cooled by n small refrigerator. The safety appliances include a complete outfit for fire-fighting and a Cheruikeef log. THE VOYAGE OUT. Built for a service sliced of 11 knots, the Karu over her long voyage out, during the greater part of which she experienced head winds and high seas, averaged nine knots, a very fine performance. The distance covered was 12,684 miles in 59d lOh 22min, and as the Karu replenished her bunkers only once, at Aden, she has already proved that she is extremely economical on fuel. . The Karu signed articles at Glasgow on July 12 and proceeded to Port Talbot, near Swansea, to load coal and patent fuel for Safaga. Clearing there on July 17, the Kara experienced fine weather to Port Said, averaging 10J knots. When she was passing through the Suez Canal the Karu sighted four Italian liners crowded with troops bound for Africa. At Safaga Bay the Karu spent six days discharging and loading 1,000 tons of bagged phosphates. Fine though, very hot weather continued, with slight sandstorms in the Red Sea. At Aden the vessel spent six hours taking in water and replenishing her bunkers. Leaving there on August 11, she experienced line weather until she passed Cape Gardafni, but from then on the vessel met very bad wca-

ther, first from the south-west monsoons and then the south-east trades, until she was within 400 miles of Fremantle, where she called on September 4to take in food and water. Leeuwin was rounded in fine weather, but. easterly gales were encountered in the Bight, and after passing through Bass Strait in very heavy weather, , which reduced her speed to fine knots, the Karu rah into a north-westerly gale in the Tasman, and was hove-to for 12 hours. The .weather then moderated, and she completed her long voyage in fine weather.

After discharging her phosphate cargo at Wellington the Karu underwent a New Zealand survey before entering the South Island-Wellington-Nelson-New Plymouth service, for which she has been specially. built.