BUSY AT THE PORT.

Taranaki Daily News, 12 February 1921, Page 4

BUSY AT THE PORT.

VESSEL FROM NEWCASTLE. KUMARA SAILS TO-DAY. There is again more shipping at the port of New Plymouth than the wharfage space will accommodate, and the auxiliary schooner La Mereeds, which arrived in the stream yesterday from Newcastle, is anchored awaiting a berth. Yesterday there were four vessels at the wharf, the liner Kumara, the Corinna, the Kowhai, and the Rarawa, but the Rarawa sailed last night on her usual trip to Onehunga. The position will be further relieved to-day by the sailing of the Kumara for Wanganui at about 9 a.m., and the Corinna and Kowhai at 5 p.m. The La Mereeds will probably berth at about 11 o’clock.

The La Mereeds is an interesting vessel, being an auxiliary schooner of 1696 tons gross, with a length of 232 feet and a breadth of 43 feet. At her anchorage she is drawing 24 feet 3 inches. The vessel is fitted with an emergency oil burning plant of' Deisel engines, with twin screws, and by this power alone is capable of a speed of six miles per hour. The trip from Newcastle was uneventful, and was made in the quick time of ten days. Careful attention has been given to the comfort of the officers and crew, and the vessel is elaborately fitted for craft of this type. The crew of 17, under Captain Johansen, is composed of various nationalities, there being only one British subject aboard. This is the La Mcreeds’ second visit to New Zealand, the first being to Timaru and Wellington. Captain Johansen will proceed to Wellington on Monday on business in connection with the vessel's future movements. It is expected the schooner will be in port for at least a week, discharging her cargo of 2500 tons of coal, which is consigned to the Railway Department.