THE PAUA.

Hokitika Guardian, 17 September 1927, Page 1

THE PAUA.

■FIRST TANK SHIP TO FLY NEW ZEALAND FLAG. BLUFF, Sept. 16. Tho M.V. Paua, after loading bulk supplies 'of petroleum spirit, sailed from Singapore on August 15, and has now arrived at Bluff.

In shipping and commercial circles, more than ordinary interest is centred in the arrival, since this tanker, which is owned by the British Imperial Oil Company (N.Z.), Limited, is the first vessels to carry petroleum in hulk in New Zealand^waters, under the New Zelaland flag. New Zealand has a somewhat remarkable history in its shipping business. Tho first steel passenger steamers built was constructed by the Union Steam Ship 'Company, and the first turbine passenger boat was also built for service in New Zealand. Tho first internal-combustion-engined vessel was built for the same company, these happenings attaching no mean measure of fame to New Zealand so far as the Dominion’s shipping is concerned. Tho addition of tho Paua to the already largo fleet of coastal trading vessels is attributable to the rapid development of the British Imperial Oil Company’s hulk facilities, as a, result of the comparatively recent inauguration of the comprehensive scheme for the importation and distribution of petrol, oil and their kindred products in New Zealand. The m.v. Paua is merely another link in tho lengthening chain of modern facilities employed as a result of the enterprise of the “Shell” Oil Company, who, in New Zealand and Australia, pioneered tho bulk movement.

CONSTRUCTIONAL DETAILS. Built by Messrs Hnrlnnd and Wolff. Ltd., at Govan, Glasgow, on the eombine(l transverse and longitudinal system of framing, with straight stem and raised quarter-deck, this vessel is fitted with two twin masts, and is propelled through a single screw ' y Diesel machinery.

The Paua has two longitudinal bulkheads and nine oil-tight compartments as cargo tanks, and is classed at Lloyds 100 A.l. for the carriage of petroleum in bulk and cases. The vessel has a gross tonnage approximating 1200, and while the port of registry is for the moment London, this will he altered to Wellington now that tho tanker has arrived. The dimensions of the Paua are: Length 216 ft. lOin, breadth (moulded), 36ft 81-in ; depth, 15ft.

Tho vessel’s nine oil compartments—three centre tanks and six wing tanks -—have a capacity of 804 tons of motor spirit in the centre tanks and 273 tons in tho wing tanks, making a total of 1077 tons. The centre tanks are fitted to load and discharge 13,690 cases of petroleum products and a further 2550 cases of motor spirit can be carried in the fovehold, whilst an additional 6910 cases can ho accommodated in the wing tanks. The vessel’s hunker capacity is 115 tons of Diesel fuel. The Diesel machinery consists of a Burmeistcr and Wain engine, built by Messrs Harland and Wolff, Limited, and is of the four-stroke single-acting

type, coupled direct to the propellor. The engine has six cylinders of 500 min. diameter 'with a stroke of ,900 mm., designed to developed 700 b.h.p. at 130 revolutions per minute. The guaranteed speed of the vessel is 91 knots on a consumption of 31 tons of Diesel fuel per twenty-four hours. An 80 b.h.p. auxiliary engine is providing for driving the cargo pumps and winches, and a donkey boiler supplies steam to accommodation heating, steering gear, auxiliary pumps, etc. The tanker is fitted with gas ejectors. vapour lines, steaming out connections and the latest type, of chemical fire extinguishers. ’The two cargo pumps have a capacity of 100 tons each per hour, ono being driven by auxiliary motor and tho other by steam. The accommodation lor the officers and crew is excellent, while the tanker is fitted to comply with New Zealand regulations regarding mess rooms for crew (of eighteen). Hot and cold water and shower baths are among tho particularly fine appointments embodied in the vessel.