THE "DEVIL SHIP."

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LV, Issue 97, 10 September 1912, Page 7

THE "DEVIL SHIP."

.MOTOR VESSEL'S 21,000 .MILES VOYAGE. London, July 20. The motor-ship Selandia, tile first mechanically propelled passenger iiud cargo vessel to be independent of steam power, 'has just completed 'her first round voyage to the Ear East. When she drew to her moorings on Monday, in the West India export dock, her log showed the completion, in round figures, of 21,500 miles. In spite of the fact that the vessel embodies many new principles, and was strange to tier engineers, only a slight adjustment of the exhaust valves, involving fifteen .minutes rest for engines, was found necessary (says the Evening Standard) during the entire trip. In all matters of fuel consumption, ease of manoeuvre, and general behavior, the vessel far exceeded expectations. The Selandia's progress east of the Suez Canal occasioned great excitement amongst the natives. The mystery surrounding tlu> absence of funnels and sails resulted in her gaining the name of the "Devil ship," and as suck she was heralded from Bangkok to Singapore. Great incredulity existed as to the nature of the vessel at first, even amongst the naval officers of one important Eastern country, hut this was dispelled after a day's cruise upon her. The success of the voyage has led the owners, the Danish East Asiatic Society, to order three other motor-ships of greater tonnage. A sister boat that was recently completed was sold to one of the leading German steamship companies. The fuel consumption fell considerably below that estimated by the builders. On ber home voyage the Selandia averaged ten nautical miles per hour on a consumption of 8.5 tons of oil per day, and the c-lurge of Bornean oil taken on board at Singapore is confidently asserted to be sufficient for the round journey. The owners find that suitable oil can be purchased at much more reasonable rates in Singapore than in any European port. The opening up of all gears and bearings at Copenhagen on the completion of the round journey and the inspection by Lloyds's representatives at that port showed that everything was in perfectorder, and that no parts had suffered undue strain.

The chief engineer of the Selandia,, discussing the behavior of the engines, stated that the motors far exceeded the steam engine for ease of control and working. The auxiliary engines had been found capable of performing far heavier tasks than those originally assigned to them, and the main engines, whilst requiring no special adjustment for working under tropical conditions, ran even "sweeter" in the Eastern seas than in the 'higher latitudes. During her stay in the Far East the Selandia, which is handsomely appointed as a passenger vessel, was utilised by the Crown Prince of Siam and his suite for a short cruise.