THE LAUNCH THAT FAILED.

Alexandra Herald and Central Otago Gazette, Issue 1211, 10 December 1919, Page 6

THE LAUNCH THAT FAILED.

An unfortunate bitch occurred recently in the-arrangement:* for the! launch of tLe light cruiser Despatch | from the Faitbuid Yard, Glasgow, j A large company, which included Mr 1 Walker Long (First Lord of the Admiralty) and Mrs G. A. Gibbs (his daughter, to whom the naming ceremony had been entrusted), gathered on the Uuncbiug platform. The religious service at the launching of naval vessels was conducted by the U-jv. John M'Gilcbrist, parish Minister of Goran, and thereafter Mrs jibbs etU the cord, which released the bottle of wine, ;:ud should have started the vessel down the ways This was at 1.10 p.m., a few minutes | previous to the scheduled time for i the launch. For a few seconds everybody waited on tip-toe of expectancy : but the Dcpatcb would not budge. Hydraulic Jacks were brought itito reqnisitiou, and still the cruiser remained motionless. V,u ious expedients were retorted to with a view to helping the reluctant warship to take the pltlige. Towing was tried and two stout hawsers snapped in the tit'tirt?, while a third had to be requestioned. A large number of men tidied on to another hawser from the bows, and still another expedient was to order the men on board to march up and down, to liven th. vessel. More powerful hydraulic j.icks were brought into use. Hut all was iu vain, aud after an hour and 20 minutes of these endeavors the ship had re'.er Picked an inch. Ordere were then given to shore up *.ho vessel again, and the launching hud to be abandoned till ;l>wc future date.