N.Z. SHIPPING.

Hokitika Guardian, 11 January 1921, Page 2

N.Z. SHIPPING.

ADDITIONS TO FLEETS. LONDON, Nov. 18. The Union Steam Ship Company have purchased live of the cargo steamers which were surrendered by Germany under the terms of the Peace Treaty. Chief of these is the Stolberg, of 5886 tons, built in 1913, and measuring 450 ft in length, 58ft in breadth, and 27ft in depth. Re-christened the Waiotapu, this vessel left last week for New Zealand ports via the Panama Canal. She is commanded by Captain F. P. Evans, who took the relief ship to the Antarctic in Sir Ernest Shackleton’s first expedition. During the war Captain Evans was in charge of the Tahiti, which carried New Zealand troops from 19 lo until .May, 1918, when it was released to con.vey American troops to England. Captain Evans was called to the Bar in London five months ago. The Irmgard, now to be called the Waikouaiti, will sail finder cargo for New Zealand in a few days in charge of Captain William Paul. This vessel, with a tonnage of 3816, was built in 1911. She is 362 ft in length, 50ft in width, and 23ft in depth. The Cleopatra, of 4039 tons, was built in 1895. She is 376 ft long, 44ft wide, and 20ft deep. Captain F. N. Nowlove has been appointed to the command. The vessel, which has been renamed the Koranui, will be used for the Australian trade.

The Hilde-Hugo Stinnes, of 1669 tons, built in 1911, is 249 ft in length, with a breadth of 38ft, and depth of 18ft. The name given to this vessel is Balls Head, and she will be employed in the Australian coaling trade. The John Hoidman, now to be called the Kaimanawa, is a vessel of 2380 tons, built in 1909, and 321 ft in length, 42ft in breadth, and 19ft in depth. She will also he used for Australian trade. Commanders have not yet Ireen appointed to the last two vessels.

All these ships were taken over in very Rood condition, and a very small amount of repairs was necessary. None of them has refrigerating plant. The Union Steam Ship Company is very well satisfied \lith the purchases, the superintendent here expressing the opinion that the Stolherg is one of the best cargo boats he lias seen. The new Diesel engine cargo steamer now being built by Messrs Denny Brothers for the Union Company will be completed in April next. The New Zealand Shipping Company’s new steamer Hurunui, of 14,000 tons, which was started before the war by Messrs llaylton, Dixon and Co., commenced her trial runs this week Owing to the difficulty of obtaining refrigerating plant at that stage of the building operations when it should have been installed, the vessel has been completed without it. It will not, therefore, bo a meat carrier, but will be useful for wool and general cargo. The Tekoa and Turakina, being built by Messrs Hamilton and Co., Port Glasgow, and Tongariro, by the Earls Shipbuilding Company, East Coast, are vessels which will bo ready for the New Zealand Shipping Company’s trade some time next year. These cargo steamers will run to about 12,500 tons dead weight, and will all be fitted with a refrigerating plant. The Shaw, Savill, and Albion Company, a new steamer, the Maimoa, of 11,500 tons, which was launched a few months ago, is now in America loading a cargo for Australian and New Zealand ports. Captain F. Green, who commanded the Mahana, and subsequently the Matatua, is now in charge of the Maimoa. As an instance of the hugely increased price of shipbuilding, it may b« stated that this vessel cost £490,000 with no wooden decks, and everything cut down to the finest practicable point. A corresponding type of steamer with wooden decks and all extra finish before the war cost £135,000.

The difficulty of obtaining return cargoes to New Zealand is shown by tlie fact that the Waiwera, the S.S. and A. Company’s 0237-ton steamer, has had to convey a cargo to South Africa, where she is at present. Thence she will have to go on to New Zealand in ballast. This company has not procured any of the German vessels that have been offered for sale. It is considered that Ihe Now Zealand trade must be served with vessels specially constructed for that trade. Although the company has had three of the German vessels to manage, two of these have now been sold, and the third will probably oass out of their hands shortly. On October 19tli if> was announced that Lord Inchcape (on behalf of the Government) had sold 47 ships, including the Berlin, 17,000 gross tons, Mobile, 16,900, and Zeppelin, 14,000. These 47 ships, which were of all ages, averaged £l9 7s pen- ton. Twentyseven additional vessels have now been disposed of, bringing the total sales to date up to 74, aggregating 354,870 gross register tons.