HIGH-POWERED CRAFT FOR BLUFF SERVICE

Sun (Auckland), Volume 1, Issue 79, 24 June 1927, Page 2

HIGH-POWERED CRAFT FOR BLUFF SERVICE

A THREE FOLD USE MOTOR-TUG SOUTHLAND The highest powered Diesel craft of its class, together with its passenger accommodation, the Bluff Harbour Board’s new motor-tug Southland, which left Dublin on May 11 via Suez for Bluff, will add another page to the history of New Zealand as a place for the trial of unique ships. The services which the Southland will undertake will be varied, for about six months of the year she will be utilised as an excursion vessel, running between Bluff and Stewart Island. When the season is ended the Southland will be withdrawn and will then act as a tug and pilot vessel for the board. Her third form of service will be that of a salvage vessel, having been fitted with suitably heavy gear, including a

centrifugal pump with a maximum capacity of 70,000 gallons an hour. It will therefore be appreciated that the Southland has required careful compromise in her design and equipment on account of the widely varying nature of her employment. DETAILS OF VESSEL The builders of the Southland are the Dublin Dockyard Co., of which Vickers (Ireland), Ltd., are the proprietors. The engines are of the Vickers-Petter type, constructed by Petters (Ipswich), Ltd. The following are the principal dimensions: Length 143 feet, breadth 30 feet, depth 20 feet, mean draught 11 feet, machinery power 1,200 b.h.p., giving her a speed on trials of 12.41 knots on a measured mile. The Southland carries 80 tons of fuel oil in a deep tank forward of the engine room, whilst a hold is provided for the carriage of 65 tons of general cargo Cabins are arranged forward for the accommodation of five officers, and the crew of 10 have bunks and a messroom aft Abaft the wheelhouse, which is fully protected with windows and has a Kent clear view screen, is a chart-room, below which there is a deck cabin. There are four IS-foot lifeboats carried in Welin davits. The vessel has accommodation for up to 285 passengers. The auxiliary plant and deck machinery are driveh by steam The Southland lias an anchor winch, a three-ton winch, and an automatic winch for towing, while aft there is a small winch for mooring. The steering engine is located in the upper part of the machinery space. # The vessel is electrically lighted throughout, her dynamo being driven by a steam engine, is rated at 5 k.w. For a vessel of her size, the Southland is the latest and most up-to-date craft delivered this year from the builders, and her arrival in New Zealand waters is being waited with keen interest-