NEW MOTOR-SHIP

Hokitika Guardian, 23 January 1929, Page 3

NEW MOTOR-SHIP

FORT ALMA’S MAIDEN VOYAGE

DUNEDIN, January 21

Completing her maiden voyage, the new motor-ship Port Alma was berthed at Port Chalmers shortly after midday to-day. The Vessel, which is the latest addition to the Commonwealth and Dominion line, came direct from London by way of the Panama Canal. She experienced remarkably' fine weather and had a very successful passage. The actual time occupied 'from the Dover anchorage to Otago was 34 days 4 hours. This passage can be claimed as one of the fastest ever made by any ship from London to Otago. The Port Alma, which is under the command of Captain F. J. Kearney, was drawing 28 feet of water aft and 27 'feet 6 inches forward when she entered the harbour. On the voyage out she averaged 14 knots. She can travel at 16 knots, but the 14 knot speed was in accordance with the owners’ instructions. Travelling at 14 knots the consumption of oil was 22- tons a clay. The Port Alma loaded 9000 tons ol general merchandise at London, and after being off Dover for several hours cleared the Thames at 3 a.m. on December 15th. Fine weather was experienced across tho Atlantic, the ship arriving at Colon on December 28tli and clearing the Panama Canal the following day. Fine" weather prevailed all the way acA-oss the Pacific, and the Fo;i Alma, arrived off Otago Heads at 8 p.m. on Sunday. In addition to her large general cargo the Port Alma brought 12 passengers for New Zealand anil AUstiulia. Every pnsesnger spoke in glowing terms of the comfort of the ship, one woman saying that it was the most delightful trip she had ever made in any vessel. Tho motor-ship also cartied 246 bags of English mail for New Zealand and the correspondence will be distributed through the Dominion within 36 days after leaving the London General Post Office. The Port Alma can he classed as one of the most modern and most elaborately fitted vessels that lias ever entered Otago Harbour.