NEW MISSION VESSEL

Ashburton Guardian, Volume 52, Issue 150, 6 April 1932, Page 8

NEW MISSION VESSEL

MODERN AUXILIARY VESSEL.

REPLACING SOUTHERN CROSS.

The twin-screw vessel which is being built at the Isle of Wight to the order of the Melanesian Mission as a successor to the well-known steamer iSouthem Cross is scheduled to arrive in Auckland in October.

According to specifications, she is to be of composite construction, with steel framework and wooden planking, and is to be rigged as a fore and aft schooner, with ample sail area for auxiliary purposes. The principle dimensions will he as follows: Overall length 106 ft, beam, outside planking, 24ft, draught when loaded 10ft. Her speed is to be. not jess than nine knots. Ample accommodation for the crew and passengers will he provided and the hold has been designed to carry 50 tons of cargo. A pantry with refrigerator and two bathrooms are included in the deckhouse accommodation. The bottom of the vessel is to he sheathed with copper to one foot above the load waterline.

The fittings in the cabins will be very finely carried out. The main .saloon is to he panelled in oak of a natural colour and the settees are to he arranged as double sleeping berths if required. The cabins opening into the saloon will have double berths and the furniture will he of mahogany. The cabins for the captain and the bishop will he panelled in a similar manner to tlie saloon.

The propelling machinery of the vessel will consist of two-stroke coldstarting, compression ignition Gardner heavy oil motors, and the main fuel tanks will have of capacity of 15 tons. A condition of the contract is that the makers will undertake the navigation. of the vessel from England to Auckland. Tlie official trials preceding the trip will occupy threo days, one day being devoted to a run under sail only.