Novel Steamer.

Hokitika Guardian, 13 May 1922, Page 4

Novel Steamer.

RESULT OF WAR INVENTIONS, SYDNEY, May 3.

Striking examples of inventions during tho last days of the war as far as the mercantile marine is eomeiited, are demonstrated on the steamer Hembridge, which is now in Sydney. To mislead submarines her foremast is several feet- starboard of the keel. Her funnel, much shorter than that of the average 'steamer of her tonnage, is over the keel, and by looking through the periscope of a submarine it would be impossible to tell which way tin steamer was going. Another of her wonder- is the way that smoke can he diycitcd from the tunnel to a secret thoroughfare near the water line. Ii is thus that th.steamer ran make an effcvlivo smoke

screen in time ol eiucrgem-.v. At the stern the visitm had goalpost collapsible masts, which can he rediuel to deck level in a lew minutes. The rails around the poop de-k can he cleared for action like those of a man-n’-war. Two guns, which have now t een dismounted, can he made ready for action. On deck, near the wheel house, a small piece of mechanism remains. By a simple process the steam may be cut off from the boilers without the trouble of going below.