AN OCEAN RACE

Hokitika Guardian, 7 June 1929, Page 7

AN OCEAN RACE

PORT PIRIE AND PORT MELBOURNE. AUCKLAND, June 5. A race from Auckland t,o London be tween the Commonwealth and Do minion Line steamers, Port Pirie anc Port Melbourne, resulted in a win foi the latter by two hours, according t information received to-day by local re presentatives of the line. Both ves sels left Auckland on the evening ol March 13, the Port Melbourne getting about twenty minutes start. On March 23 the Port Melbourne reported by wireless that she was eight miles aheao of her opponent, and that both vessels were logging 12 knots in spite of heavj weather. Arriving at Balboa on April 4, the Port Melbourne was four hours ahead, but the Port Pirie lessened the interval to one hour during the pas sage through the canal. The Port Melbourne signalled tbe Lizard at 1 a.m. on April 22, and the Port Pine at 7 a.m. the next day. Passing Southend next morning, the Port Melbourne had increased her lead to seven hours. Th r Fort Pirie then began to gain. The leader passed Gravesend at 9.30 a.m. on April 23, and the Port Pine at 11.15 a.m. The latter vessel, however, was unable to catch her opponent. The Fort Melbourne berthed at London at 11.45 a.m. and the Port Pirie at 1.45 p.m., a difference of two hours in a race of over 11,000 miles. The greater credit belongs to the Fort Pirie, which has always been considered at least half a knot slow'd ■ ban tbe Port Melbourne. A considerable amount of money was staked on the event, both by members of the ships’ companies ant by interested parties on the Auckland waterlront.