NEW LAUNCH.

Auckland Star, Volume LXII, Issue 72, 26 March 1931, Page 3

NEW LAUNCH.

ARRIVAL AT AUCKLAND.

AUSTRALIAN-BUILT CRUISER. A FAMILY CREW. Auckland's fleet of pleasure boats was added to this morning when the Beth, a South Australian-built cruiser, arrived by the Kartigi from Adelaide. The launch is the property of Mr. T. H. Webb, who came over from Australia with his family by the Maunganui last week to make his home in Auckland. The Beth is a raised deck cruiser, with slightly overhanging bow and cruiser stern, and is ketch rigged. She is 40ft Gin long, with a beam of 10ft Gin and draught of 4ft Gin. The launch is fitted with a six-cylinder Ailsa Craig motor, which gives her a cruising speed of about eight knots. Built by R. T. Searles and Sons, of Largs Bay, the boat has a registered tonnage of 9.8. In the bow there is a two-bunk cabin. The galley separates this cabin from the saloon, which contains four berths, and the engineroom is nearer the stern. A very ropmy wheelhouse, with windows all round, which slide up and down like those in a saloon motor car, is built above the engineroom. In appearance the Beth is no great beauty, but she possesses a look of coinfort and sturdiness. "She was built for cruising, and we put utility before beauty," said Mr. Webb. "She is a great boat in a sea, and has proved her good qualities on dozens of occasions," he added. So firm is Mr. Webb's faith in the seagoing qualities of his launch that he made plans to bring her from Adelaide to Auckland under her own power. A clearance was actually obtained from the Adelaide port authorities, but three days before the date fixed for departure Mr. Webb learnt that he could ship the launch to Auckland for less money than it would cost him to sail her over. A cradle to carry the launch was built on the port side of the Kartigi's deck, and the boat did not budge throughout the voyage, despite the fact that for two days the steamer was almost hove-to hi dirty weather. When the Kartigi berthed at the Prince's wharf to-day the Beth was lifted out of her cradle into the water by the floating crane. It is Mr. Webb's intention to live at Northcote, and the launch will have her moorings on the northern side of the harbour. It is expected that the Beth will be ready to cruise within a few days, and Mr. Webb and his family are looking forward to fine weather at Easter. Mr. Webb has three sons and a daughter, and these constitute the crew of his launch. His daughter, after whom the boat was named, is only eleven years old, but she can take her trick at the wheel with her brothers. Mr. Webb has been interested in boating for thirty-five years, and is to-day as keen as ever. He and his sons are particularly looking forward to taking their craft up the northern coast. If her owner so desires, the Beth can carry enough fuel for a j cruise of 1000 miles, but the longest run that she has done during the four years' and a half that she has been afloat is about 200 miles. The launch carries an Admiralty warrant which entitles her to fly the blue ensign.