RANGATIRA’S TRIAL,

Hokitika Guardian, 13 August 1931, Page 6

RANGATIRA’S TRIAL,

Loaded to the regulation draught of about sixteen or seventeen feet, the Union Company’s new ferry steamer Rangatira, which was launched from the Barrow-n-i'urness yards of Messrs Vickers, Armstrong on April 16, attained a speed of 22J knots over the measured mile on her trials towards the end of last week,' according to advice received by the owners. The revolutions were 221 J per minute, and the horsepower 13,800. It is stated that all the conditions of the contract were fnidi] ed.

The results of the 'Rangatira trials are considered highly satisfactory, and give further support to' the claim that she will prove a valuable addition to the ships running on the New Zealand coast, and will he very, popular in the Wellington-Lyttelton nightly ferry service, in,...which slie will replace the Maori on her arrival from Home.

The Rangatira is expected to leave for New Zealand to-day, and the time to be taken on the voyage will depend largely on the speed which can be maintained on the long ocean run from Panama to Wellington. Not being equipped as an ocean-going vessel, she will he able to carry only a limited amount of oil fuel, and it will be necessary for her to steam at a spied which will make the most economical use of her fuel. It is estimated, however, that the trip will take about thirty-three or thirty-five days. Particulars of -the Rangatira show that nothing has been spared to make her thoroughly suitable for the ferry run, and ensure that, so far as it is possible to ; overcome the trials of Cook trait, passengers will have a comfort- ■ ble crossing. She has a tonnage ol Rout 6000 as compared with the Wailine’s 4436, and will accommodate a thousand passengers, 'She is electrically oropel It'd. '