LAUNCH AT FREEMAN'S BAY.

Auckland Star, Volume X, Issue 2924, 28 August 1879, Page 2

LAUNCH AT FREEMAN'S BAY.

A considerable number of persons assembled yesterday afternoon in the shipbuilding yard of Mr K. McKay, on the Freeman's Bay Reclamation. to witness the launch of the new schooner built to the order of Messrs Ruge, Hedemann, and Co. of Apia, Samoa, by Mr McKay. The vessel was gaily decorated with bunting, and presented a very pretty appearance. Prior to the launch slio was inspected by a number of connoisseurs, all of whom spoke in complimentary terms of the manner in which Mr McKay had fulfilled his contract. The graceful lines and general symmetry of the schooler also called forth their admiration, and tho general opinion was that she was built on a very fine model. The time appointed for the launch was two o'clock, and at that time the vicinity of the yard was thronged w.th spectators. Tho pleasing task of christening tho new vessel was allotted to Misa Jessie McKay, one of the daughters of the builder. The young lady performed the ceremony in a most satisfactory manner. When the vessel commenced gliding down the ways into her native clement she dashed a bottle of champagne against the schooner's bow, naming her theVaitupu-le-mele. Tho vessel thtn passed smoothly into the water, and the anchor was dropped abont fifty yards from the shore. She presented a very handsome appearanco in tho water, and excited considerable admiration. The Vaitupu le-mele is a small schooner registering about 20 tons. Hor dimensions are:—Length overall, 54 feet; length of keel, 17 feet: breadth of beam, 13 feetßinches: depth of h01d,5 feet 1 inch. She i 3 constructed of the Best materials, and fastened with copper equal to the ordinary 50 ton vessels. No iron whatever has been csed for fastening. The sheathing is 18-oz. copper, and felting has also been used. Sho has also been double fastened through tho bilge planks with copper. She is rigged as a fore and aft schooner, with tapering masts, which have a rakish _et. The Vaitupu-le meleisa staunchly built little craft, and while reflecting great credet on her builder, she will also do nonour to the shipbuilding industry of this port. Her model is an exceedingly handsome one, and we anticipate that the vessel will be a f abt sailer, and will also prove her sea-going qualities in the variable weather _o prevalent in tho Islands. She will be out of the builde 's hands at the end of the present week, and will leave next week for. Apia, Samoa. Hhe has a'ready a cansiderable quantity of ballast oa board, Wo may state that tho firm of Ruge, Hedemann, and Co., for which the Yaitupu-le-has been built, purchased the origantine Matautufrom Mr McKay some time ago, and the present order wa3 aiven to rhe same builder owing to tho satisfaction given by the former ; purchase. Wo learn that is not unlikely that -, the Vaitupu-le-mele will test her sailing capabilities against somo of our local craft nefore her departure for Samoa.