NEW SUBMARINE STEAMERS.

Greymouth Evening Star, Volume XXXI, 19 September 1901, Page 4

NEW SUBMARINE STEAMERS.

Captain Fraser’s Opinions

London, August 10th. One day this week I had a chat with Captain Robert Fraser, Lieutenant R.N.E. of Wellington, who will take out the first of the now boats built for purposes in connection with submarine mining in New viz., the s.s. Jeanio Seddon,

“They aro splendid boats,” said Captain Fraser, “better in their way than any in this country, because they have later improvements and appliances than have yet been fitted to any English boat of that class. For instance, the New Zealand boats have electric lights, etc,, which none of the Home boats of that type have. It will bo found a great advantage in case of emergency. Now Zealand, in fact; will have much more up-to-date vessels of this class than the Mother Country as yet possesses. “Several valuable improvements have been made since the steamers were first designed, continued the captain. “For example, they will have twin screws, which is in itself an important improvement. Indeed, they are excellent in all respects. They are of about 120 tons measurement. That is rather a small size for a voyage half round the world, but they will do it all right.”

“What course shall you take on the journey to New Zealand ?” “We shall go at easy speed—what you may call ‘economical’ speed—an average of about eight knots an hour. She can do 10a, bu - wo have to economise our coal, as we carry very little. The Jeanie Seddon will be rigged for the voyage as a topsail schooner, so as to make use of any breeze she may get. We go first to Gibraltar, then to Malta and Port Said ; through the Suez Canal and Red Sea to Adon ; next on to Colombo, and successively to Batavia, Albany, and Hobart, coaling at each port. At Malta the boilers will be examined and overhauled. I should mention that the vessel is still in the builders’ hands, but we expect to sail about the first week in September.” “How many will there be in the way of crew and officers “There will be fifteen of us in all.” replied the captain. Myself as commander, two mates, two engineers, three firemen, four A. B.’s cook, steward, and boy. The two steamers were built on the Clyde by Messrs Fleming and Ferguson.” Captain Fraser has done two months’ drill in the Royal Naval Reserve oa H.M.S. Daedalus at Bristol, and has also been with the Royal Engineers studying submarine mines at Fort Monckton, Gosport. Lieutenant Moorhouse, who will Jake cut the second of the boats, the Lady Roberts, has been going through the same course.