ATLANTIC RECORD

Sun (Auckland), Volume III, Issue 724, 25 July 1929, Page 11

ATLANTIC RECORD

DID BREMEN BREAK IT SPEED AND TIME NECESSARY Among shipping people at present, tn« main topic of conversation is what the actual speed the new German >T.ip Bremen did to break the record held by Great Britain for the last 22 years. Since the news of her time has reached New Zealand both active and retired master mariners have been working on their charts to see if the German ship actually beat the Maute.tania's record. It is a well-known fact that crossing the Atlantic Ocean steamers follow three lanes or courses. During different seasons vessels take different course*. At this time of the year vessels keep as close to the great circle as possible, although this is not the shortest route across the Atlantic. It is thought, however, that tin: Ger- »>''•! vessel took the shortest route, w hich is 200 miles less t han the usual route taken. According to the reckoning of a master-mariner, the distance by chart, working from Southampton to New ork. is 3.190 miles, that is taking the usual lane at this time of the year. If the Bremen took this route she must have averaged over 27 knots against the Mauretania’s 26.7 knots. However. should the vessel have taken the shorter route her average speed would Work out at knots. of course the time given may be the actual steaming time. It is thought, however, that the time given is the difference between the hour she left Southampton and her time of arrival in Xcw ork. If this is so an extra, five hours should be added, as a vessel steaming to the West loses time. Within a few minutes New York is five hours ahead of Southampton. Instead of 4 days 18 hours 15 minutes, the vessel is reported to have -taken, her actual steaming should 4 days 44 hours minutes.