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Sea Trials |
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This postcard (above) has no printed
information regarding the ship on the reverse. The legend beneath the
photograph on the front is apparently written in India ink. Neatly
inscribed on the reverse in small letters is RANGITIKI 1928. Coupled
with the observation that the vessel is fitted with seven sets of Samson
posts and derricks, this information confirms that the Rangitiki
at this point is undergoing sea trials prior to hand-over to the New
Zealand Shipping Co. and, therefore, before its maiden voyage.
Following the sea trials, during which unstable conditions in ballast were
experienced, two
sets of kingposts and derricks were removed and additional ballast added.
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A closer scrutiny of the two images above
will indicate that they are both copies of the same picture. Even
closer scrutiny of the black and white picture on the left will show that
it (and therefore both) are photographic copies of a painting of the ship.
Of the two, the colour card came into my possession first and I was a
little puzzled by the ship's rather "tubby" appearance. When I
acquired the second card, I was even more struck by this phenomenon.
Presumably the original picture from which these copies were made was commissioned by the company upon the successful launching of the ship in 1928. A count of the king posts tallies seven pairs which, as we have read elsewhere, was the as built configuration prior to the removal of two pairs for her maiden voyage. Interestingly, the three pictures above give the Rangitiki's GWT as 17,500 tons whereas all other (later) cards usually say 17,000 tons or the more accurate 16,982 or similar number. |
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