HINEMOA DUE IN THIS MONTH

Rotorua Morning Post, Issue 5298, 10 January 1947, Page 3

HINEMOA DUE IN THIS MONTH

NEW FERRY STEAMER FINAL HEiSTS SUGCESSFU^LLY COMPLETED GLASGOW . The other day, close inshore of the rocky eoast of the Isle of Arran, with its snowdusted peaks rising into the mists, the new 6910-ton Welling'tonLyttleton steamer Hinemoa suecessfully completed. her trials. In the'afternoon she left a graving- dock at Birkenhead, and all nig'ht she carried out her navigation and consumption tests on her way up the coast to the Fiith of Clyde, .and her final speed and manoeuvre tests over the measured mile. Next day she sailed up the Firth to anchor off Greenock, where she loiwered the pennant of her builders, Vickers Armstrong', and hoisted the house flag of her owners, the Union Steam Ship Gompany of New Zealand. 'Six and a-half months ago, Avhen she slid down a slipway at Barrow-in-Furness, the Hinemoa was only a mastless hull, but to-day she is completely equippecl to take iup the ferry service. She is, in fact, the first large passenger ves'sel to leave British shipyards since the end of the wai", "and in spite iof post-war shortage and equipment difficulties, she fully maintains the pre-war standard of British shipbuilding. In her clean-cut lines the new vessel closely resembles the "Awatea and the Rangatira. The most noticeable outward difference is that she has only one funnel instead of two, but although this appears to detract from tirst impressions 'of her size, it gives noticeably more space on her boat deck. With this deck and the bridge and the promenade docks the Hinemoa is very well equipped, not only for the normal lfei*ry service but particularly for daylight excursions. She has cabin aecommodation for 921, chiefly in single-birth and double-berth cahins. Attractive Features A large cafeteria and smokeroom are among the most attractive features of he ship. 'They are situated adjoining each iother amidships, and can if necssary be used as one general dining saloon. They are both handsomely panelled in contrasti^l? timbers, and brightly furnished with scarlet and green lupholstered armchairs and reversible bridge tables. The f ui'nishings and -fittings of the cabins and corridors are all in keeping with the public rooms. As a oneclass ship the chief differences in cabin aecommodation ai'e stiuation, not in furnishings, and the quarters for the crew are in conformity with general modern design. One of the most important improvements is the installation of an auromatic fire protection sprinkler service. This ensures that whenever the temperature of any cabin or section of the ship rises above the danger point, watr sprinklers will automatically come into operation and an alarm he signalled to the bridge. The vessel is fitted also with a New Zealand made lcudspeaker system which can either be localised or used to warn the whole ship. All cabins are well heated and ventilatedy The Hinemoa has also all the latest navigational aids, including radar, direction lindings and ecbo sounding equipment. She has both bow and stern rudders. Experienced Oflicer.s The vessel will he taken to New Zealand by some of the Union Company's most experienced officers. The master will be Captain F. W. Collin, the first officer Mr. P. Lampied, and the chief engineer Mr. J. D. Hamilton, and the chief steward Mr. F. G. Stafford, all of whom were previously in the Rangatira. Dr. Ian McLean, who has been bacteriologist on ihe staff of St. Mary's Plospital, London, for a number of years, has. signed on for the voyage as ships surgeon. The purser will be Mr. I. H. Driscoll, who formerly was in the Stirling Castle. The ship was not biuilt for longdistance passenger travel, but to relieve the present congestion in Britain she will caiu'y 85 passengers on her inaiden trip. The crew of 81 includes. 11 supcrnumerary officers who are going to New Zealand to take up various appointments in the Union Company's fleet. Among the passengers will be Sir Darry Twyford, formerly managing director of Cable and Wireless Ltd., and former Lord Mayor of L'ondon, Engineer Rear-Admiral H. S. Briggs, R.N. i(retired), and Miss Rosemary Rees, New Zealand author. Representatives of the owners and builders and of all sub-contracting firms concemedi with the equipment of the ship were on board for the trials. The High Commissioner for New Zealand, Mr. Jordan, is expected to visit Greenock and inspect the vessel before she sails. The Hinemoa is expected to reach Wellington on January 25. f