A New Union Steamer.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume XXXXV, Issue 260, 2 December 1903, Page 4

A New Union Steamer.

News 'lias been received that Mr James Mills, managing director at the Union Steam Ship Company, who is at present in Englamld in connection with the building of several new vessels, lias contracted with Messrs David J. Dunlop and Co., of the Inch Works, Port Glasgow, for the construction of a twin-screw steamer for the New Zealand-Fiji traide. A few weeks ago shipbuilders at Home were invited to tender for the 'building o'f the vessel, arid according; to advices there was a difference of no less a sum than £15,000 between the highest and the lowest tender. The new vessel, which' will have a dcad-weig>ht capacity of 2400 tons; is to be built under the rules of the British Corporation for the Survey and Registry of Shipping, and is to too fitted throughout in a first-class manner for the passenger and cargo service. The new vessel will run between Auckland and Suva, and will replace the Moura, which, although a much smaller vessel, recently succeeded in establishing a record by covering- the distance between the two ports named in the record time of 3 'days and 14 hours. It is anticipated that the new steamer will be t*eraidy "for launching in July next, and that she will be in commission before the end of next year. According l to the plans, she will be 300 ft in length, 42ft in breadth, and 28ft deep. Accommodation is to be provided for 60 sialoon passengers in houses on deck, and for 40 secoiid-class passengers, The machinery, which will fee supplied by the builders of the tall, will be cfipii;b!e of drivnig" Jier, It is estimated, at an average speed of 124 knots at sea,