THE RANGATIRA

Hokitika Guardian, 30 September 1931, Page 2

THE RANGATIRA

PARTICULARS OF TRIALS

WELLINGTON, September 28,

It is interesting to note that the ■Union 'Steam Ship Company’s new terry steamer Rangatira will be the first turbo-electrically propelled steamer to reach iNew Zealand and Australian waters, as the new P. and O. liner Strathnavar, which will introduce that type of propulsion 'to Australia, is not

due at Sydney until the beginning of -November. The Rangatira is due at Wellington about the middle of next month. The Strathnavar and her sister ship, Strathaird, were also built at the Barrow yards of Messrs Vickers, Armstrong, builders of the Rangatira. Another liner 1 to be propelled by the turbo-electric system is the Dollar ■Steamship Line’s President Hoover, which was launched at San Francisco recently, and is the largest merchant Vessel ever constructed in the United States. She is intended for the New York-Oalifornia-Far Eastern service, and a sister ship, the President Coolidge, is expected to be completed this month.

Further particulars are to hand regarding .the Rangat'ira’s speed trials, which were carried out»j on the Firth of Clyde, early in August. A series of progressive runs were made, some on the Skelmorlie measured mile, and the remainder on the measured course off Arran Island. The contract required a speed of 22 knots to be obtained with 10 per cent, overload, The trials showed that this speed could bo easily achieved without developing the full overload capacity of the machinery. No difficulty was experienced in the working of the electrical machinery and steam plant, notwithstanding tlyj rather lugh steam pressure and superheat. Fuel consumption trials were also carried out at speeds of about 20, 18, and 13 knots, the two lastnamed speeds with only one alternator in use. The machinery proved to be very economical, and ran quietly and without vibration. The reversing and steering capabilities were highly satisfactory. The time required to commence going astern from 20 knots ahead was two minutes ten seconds, the vessel being stopped in about 4-i ship’s lengths.