BEATING THE CALMS.

Taranaki Daily News, 9 July 1920, Page 6

BEATING THE CALMS.

LAUNCHES WHICH TOW SCHOONER. PREVIOUS RECORD BEATEN. The novel method of a schooner using, motor Jauilches to tow her during calms, while not new to New Zealand, has aroused interest in New Plymouth, where the schooner C. S. Holmes, which employs this device, is now in port. As was stated in yesterday's Daily News, ths schooner covered liiO miles by this means on her (trip from 'Frisco to New Plymouth, and thus heat her previous record put up some time ago on a run from Port Chalmers to the Bluff. Captain Anderson and his officers are enthusiastic about the capabilities ot these little boaits. When in requisition a launch is swung out on each side of the vessel, and they are connected with a line from the stern, and one abreast of the main and mizzen, rigging. They run parallel to the schooner, and no attendants are necessary, ithough, of course, they are iinder observation from those bh board the ship. Some good work has been put up by the boats. Op the present voyage they began towing when the vessel struck a calm at the Three Kings, and for nearly 150 miles the launches were practically the only means of propulsion. This was a fifty-hour run, and was the longest so far done since the inauguration of the system. Other tows have been carried out, however, as occasion arose, through falling off of the wind, and these havn varied in duration from 24 to 27 hours. The laitter was a Dnnedin to Bluff run. "They are working fine," said Captain Anderson, in explaining that the launches had been in use eighteen months. He stated that they were first mooted as an emergency during the war period in case of sinking by enemy vessels, but just came to hand as the armistice was signed. The speed of the launches is about ten miles per hour, and they propel the ship at a rate of approximately 3A miles per hour, though with the assistance of a very slight wind (this can be practically doubled. The cost is quite reasonable, as 24 gallons of gasoline will suffice for a day's run for each launch, and the distance which can be thus covered is about 75 miles. This works out at £2 8s per day.