Four-master Becomes Floating

Base for P.A. Airways

T>ENAMED the Tradevyind, the four masted American schooner Margaret F. Sterling (2,000 tons), which was re cently bought and recommissioned by Pan-American Airways, sailed out of Seattle in November for Kingman Reef in Central Pacific toi act as a permanent base tender and supply ship for P.A.A.’s North and South Pacific air services.

Diesel engines propelling twin screws have been installed aboard the windjam mer as auxiliary power, but towering sticks and sails will be used on her two or three ocean voyages to Honolulu and U.S.A. each year and on trips between P.A.A.’s Islands bases. A special radio

station, including a long-range direction finder, and a fully equipped weather op servatory for weather map-making and upper air observations, have been in stalled amidships.

The Tradewind has a crew of 12, under the command of Capt. Helvor Mikkelsen, a master in sail for 14 years. Captain Mikkelsen holds the existing sail record of 14 days from Honolulu to Seattle, made in the Tusitala in 1925. .Mr. Norman W. Hutchinson, a past president of the Australian Association of British Manufacturers, has Deen elected Deputy Chairman of Directors of Ruston and Hornsby (Aust.) Pty. Ltd,, Melbourne, whose products (engines, home-lighting sets, etc.) are well known throughout the Islands.