Brief mention was made in The Motor Ship for November of the completion of two sister ships for the Pacific Steam Navigation Co. The second of these, the Losada sailed on her maiden voyage last month. An illustration is published of the new vessel, which, it may be remembered, is designed to carry about 10,000 tons of cargo, and is equipped with two 1,600 i.h.p. Harland and Wolff four-cycle engines running at 115 r.p.m. The Pacific Steam Navigation Co. now has a fleet of three vessels of this class and size, all of them trading to South America.

 

The Losada is a standard vessel and is somewhat similar to many motor ships now in commission; in addition to the propelling plant in the engine-room, she is equipped with three Diesel-driven electric generating sets of 100 kw each. Electric winches are fitted throughout; the steering gear is of the electro-hydraulic type, and, apart from the boiler supplying steam for heating purposes, no steam is used.

 

The original programme of the Pacific Steam Navigation Co. was to build six motor ships, the next three to be somewhat larger than the Losada. We understand these three further vessels have not yet been laid down, but no doubt construction will be commenced when building costs are sufficiently attractive.

 

Sister of the La Paz  and Lobos she entered service in 1921 and was broken up broken up at Barrow in Furness 26th October, 1952.