LIVERPOOL TO NEW ZEALAND

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LIII, Issue 308, 23 May 1911, Page 4

LIVERPOOL TO NEW ZEALAND

FIRST DIRECT STEAMER. , THE LAUDERDALE ARRIVES. After a voyage of over 13,000 miles, without sighting land, the Maoriland Steamship Company's new steamer Lauderdale unexpectedly arrived yesterday afternoon. She left Liverpool on March 23, and sighted Mount Egroont at 0 a.m. yesterday, coming into sinht of the breakwater about 3 p.m. The harbormaster (Captain Newton) went out to the vessel in the stream and brought her alongside the wharf, wheu the port health officer (Dr. McClcland) and the Customs officers boarded her. The officers' report stated that the vessel left Liverpool on March 23, and passed Las Palmas on March 31. Fair weather was experienced to the Cape of Good Hope, and moderate weather acrow the Southern Ocean. Cape Tasmania was passed at midnight on May 10, An effort was made to signal Hobart. but no notice was taken. One vessel was spoken, but its name could not be distinguished, which was to have reported the Lauderdale at Adelaide. The actual steaming time was 59 days 12 hours, averaging about 11.5 knots, and much shorter than was anticipated, as it wan thought she would not arrive here before the 31st. The Lauderdale is a modern vessel of about 2000 tons dead weight, and is considered one of the most up-to-date cargo vessels in Australasia. Everything has been arranged for the quick handling of cargo. She was built by the Campbelltown Ship-building Company, Campbelltown, and engined by Messrs. David Rowan nnd Co., Glasaow. She is of the well-deck tvpe with raised quarter-deck, bridge and top-gallant forecastle. She has a complete installation of electric light, double winches and derricks to each hatchway, and has been specially arranged for the owners' New Zealand long coasting trade. The officers' and men's quarters are particularly well appointed. Captain Cox, late harbormaster at Nelson, is in command of the vessel, and has with him the following officers:—First, Mr. Morrison; second, Mr. Spcdding; third. Mr. MeArthur; chief engineer, Mr. H. B. Black; second, Mr. Craig; third, Mr. McNeil. The discharge of cargo, which consists of about 800 tons of fertilisers for Mr. Newton King and machinery for the Ridd Milking Machine Co., will be proceeded with to-day. The Union Company arc acting as local agents for the vessel.