LAUNCH OF A STEAMER.

Auckland Star, Volume XXV, Issue 250, 19 October 1894, Page 2

LAUNCH OF A STEAMER.

A BOAT FOR ONEHUNGA.

The Norbh Shore presenbed quite a festive appearance this morning in the vicinity of Mr W. Holmes' shipyard, the attraction • being the launch of a new steamer for the ;- : . V,, Waiuku and Onehunga Steam Navigation Company. Among those presenb at the ceremony were the Mayor of Onehunga , ; (Mrs Yates) and the Mayor of Devonporb • (Mr Alison). The day was beautifully line, - and tbe water at the bottom of the slip hardly had a ripple on ib, in fact everything was in favour of a successful launch. Sharp ab 10 o'clock a starb was made bo move bhe steamer seawards, bub she, was obdurate, and ib was close on- 11.30 o'clock before the new boat slipped into the sea. Just as the steamer started to move towards the harbour in earnest, Miss McGill, a sister of one of the directors, christened the cratb bhe " Weka,". on behalf of tbe Company, by breaking tba cusbomary bobtle of champagne on the stern. Immediately bhe vessel reached the water she was taken in tow by one of the Farry Company's boats and berthed at tbe . Devonport Wharf, When on the slip the •Weka" did nob appear to have pretty, outlines, the flatness of the lower .portion of 'her hull spoiling her appearance.. This is owing .to the steamr* having to be . made of light draught to adapt her to the trade of the Waiuku River. When. launched, however, no fault could be found-. with her appearance. Her straight bows, regular lines, and well rounded stern gave ber a smart appearance. A short description of the boat may nob be out of place . here. Ib was in May lasb tbab the Company determined tc have a new boab to run : between Waiuku and Onehunga in conjunction with the s.s. Manukau. IW latter vessel waa also built by Mr Holmes, and the Weka is a sistor boat. >pe keel of the Weka was laid early in Jaw ;' y and the veseelhas progressed steadily«ui tvtm she is ready for her engines.. Jier. measoremonts are: Leegtb of keel, aoio, breadth of beam, 17ft; depth of hold, mc, 6in ; and draughb, 4ft. The Weka is con-; structed throughout of the finest kaun diagonally built and copper fastened.. .-ns. is to be engined by Messrs G. Fraser ana-. Son wibh two engines driving twin screws. The putting in of tha machinery and■«•■ finishing off will probably occupy.\ti_rw w.eks or close on a month. Tln8 s lB^"° l 21st launch of a simiilar stamp of vemw from Mr Holmes' yard, and none «."»■:■■■ crafb taking bheir firsb dip in the sea. ft*" done co with a better prospeeb.ot i buccm . The tonnage of the Weka is about 60 netThis afternoon the directors, to «W»» the launch of the new boat, had * ™6° D B at the Flagstaff Hotel, when the usua toaaw given at such a gathering were drnnk wiiu enthusiasm. Mrs Lindsay having charge ot the catering, ib is needless to say bhat w° lunch was excellent in all particulars.