LAUNCH AT SHORTLAND.

Thames Advertiser, Volume VII, Issue 1792, 18 April 1874, Page 3

LAUNCH AT SHORTLAND.

Thb new auxiliary-sorew schooner on .the. stocks at Mr .Robert Stone's buildingyard, Shortland, ; was to' have .been launched with this' morning's tide,\ but arrangements not being quito completed, the launch has been' postponed until Monday morning's tide. The schooner is three-masted, and built oa the diagonal principle, being the largest vessel of the diagonal build in New Zealand. The new steamer ' Hauraki,' on the stocks at Messrs Holmes Bros.' yards, North Shore, Auckland, is on the same principle. The schooner is, we believe, to bo named the' Emu,' and was originally intended for the Biy of Islands coal trade, but we understand it is intended to employ her. as a general trader, principally to Canterbury and Otago, where she can be most profitably employed in loading and discharging in open roadsteads or bar harbours, .owing . to the presence of her auxiliary screw. .The latter is only intended for use on going in or out of such harbours or roadsteads, where delays are of such frequent occurrence in the case of sailing vessels. Her screw can be readily shipped and unshipped as occasion requires, and is so arranged that it will prove no drawback to the sailing capabilities of the vessel under canvas only. Her funnel will be of telescopio construction, and easily stowed away at sea. The dimensions of the vessel are:—Length overall, 125 feet; breadth of beam, 22 feet; depth of hold, 8 feet; and . her registered tonnage about 200 tons. ■ Her very light draught of water will render her specially suitable for navigating shallow rivers, and entering creeks, or proceeding along costs hitherto almost unnavigable for vessels of her size, drawing the ordinary depth of : water. The machinery of the vessel is being constructed by Messrs Eraser and Tiune, at the Phoenix Foundry,, Auckland, and is calculated to drive her over three knots an hour when unassisted by the sails. Hie vessel will be towed up to Auckland in order to receive her auxiliary screw and her outfit for. soa. Mr Baker, tho respected chief officer of the 'Golden Crown'steamer, is to assume command of the 'Emu,' and will fill her with timber, <&c, for Oamira or Timn-u, returning with a cargo of breadstuffs an.d general produce. The vessel has been built to the order of C. J. Stone, Esq., of Auckland.