RACING FOR MARKETS

Sun (Auckland), Volume II, Issue 610, 12 March 1929, Page 1

RACING FOR MARKETS

WOOL SHIPS LEAVING CAPTAINS ARE OLD RIVALS An ocean race tor the Home markets with vyool, between two vessels belonging to the same company, will commence from Auckland to-morrow evening. The Commonwealth and Dominion Lines steamers Port Pirie and Port Melbourne are scheduled to leave here at 10 o'clock to-morrow night for London, via Panama. Both vessels, besides carrying genf Pa L a n d refrigerated cargo, have tne bulk of the last wool sale under their hatches, and as in the olden days when clippers traded to this country, will make every effort to better their usual time on the voyage. According to both Captain T. Kippins, master of the Port Melbourne, and Captain J. J. Hudson, of the Port Pirie. the speeds of the vessels are practically fhe same, with perhaps a shade of extra power to the Port Melbourne. However, the Port Pirie will be in better trim than the Port Melbourne, which has been longer on the coast loading. Kotli vessels are coal burning, and a call will be made at Colon for bunkers. Any delay there will not be taken into account. The race will be on from the time the pilots are dropped in the Oulf until the London pilots are picked up off Dungeness. Iho masters of both the vessels hope for line weather, but they will not need to pray, as in the days gone by for a following wind. The Part Melbourne has a slight advantage over the Port Pirie, as she is lit ted with an “Iron Mike.” the automatic gyro-helmsman which keeps the vessel on a more direct course than does the usual helmsman. A rather peculiar coincidence is that both Captain Kippins and Captain Hudson have been in command of both vessels; in fact, they changed ships in London last voyage. Captain Kippins lias also been fourth, third, second, chief officer and master of the Port Melbourne. These two vessels have raced before, when they left New York for Auckland and Brisbane respectively last December. the Port Pirie coming to New Zealand and the Port Melbourne going to Brisbane. Outward bound, the Port Pirie steamed 13.03 knots and the Port Melbourne 1P.3 knots. As of old, both masters are having their usual bets as to who will win. Their previous race cost Captain Hudson a new hat, but he hopes to get a new one from Captain Kippins when they roach London. Or eat interest lx also being taken by both crews and no doubt ♦he firemen will make both vessels do their utmost. It is very seldom that two vessel** belonging to the one company should leave the same port for the same destination. As far as can be gathered this is the first time that two of the Commonwealth and Dominion Linesteamers have done so.