LAUNCHING DAY

Auckland Star, Volume LXXIII, Issue 230, 29 September 1942, Page 4

LAUNCHING DAY

HISTORIC VESSEL

WAR EFFORT SYMBOL

The first fighting ship built in a New Zealand shipyard was launched | to-day on the Waitemata Harbour. It is a Fairmile patrol vessel, whose job in the Royal New Zealand Navy will be the hunting out and sinking of enemy submarines. Of trim lines and ag£n*essive appearance, the little vessel is a symbol of the growing war production of this country, a fact which was referred to by the Minister of Armed Forces and War Co-ordination, Mr. Coates, in his address at the launching. Speaking of the determination of this country, small in size but big in her contribution to the war effort, to do all in her power to defeat the enemy, Mr. Coates pointed out that there was a job for everyone to do. Supply was the key to the ultimate downfall of the enemy, he said. If we went at it with determination, each doing his part, that force would be a deciding factor in victory. The enemy must be destroyed, he declared, for he was out to destroy us. Simple Ceremony The launching ceremony was simple but impressive, the atmosphere of the yard where the ship had been constructed adding to the symbolic character of the occasion. Here was a craft ready to take the water, nearly ready for her allotted task in the war. On the adjoining slip was a similar vessel whose completion is in the near future—and where this vessel had rested during her construction another keel was already laid down. Representatives of the fighting services and of local bodies and organisations were present, as well as a military band, and from them all a cheer arose as Miss Patricia Coates carried out the christening in traditional style and the little vessel slid down into the sunlit water. It was a tribute to those who had designed and built her. to those who would man her and to the country that had produced her. Flags broke out on the ship as the National Anthem was played and she rode grimly and beautifully in her element.

It was revealed by the contractor, Mr. Roy Lidgard, that her construction represented a definite achievement by New Zealand workmen. He told the assembly that the standard time for the construction of such vessels was laid down as 40,000 labour hours. She had been built here in 30,000 working hours. That was a marvellous achievement, he said, and he paid a sincere tribute to all who had given service in her construction.

The vessel, which is of a type that has already given valuable service in various theatres of the war, is 100 ft long and powerfully engined with tvvo petrol motors each of 1 600 h.p. She is strongly armed for a ship of her size. A feature of her construction is that no steel has been used. The frame is of bakelised plywood made in England, and the hull is of New Zealand timber.

"We Can Do The Job"

A message of congratulation from the Minister of Supply and Munitions, Mr. Sullivan, was read by Mr. Coates in opening his address. To this tribute Mr. Coates added his own. We had men in this country capable and competent in their jobs who had the will and the capacity to turn out work that would compare favourably with that done anywhere in the world. This was only a little country, and it was not so well equipped for war production as other countries. Those adverse factors could, however, act as a spur to all. We could do the job and do it well. The vessel he had seen launched would stand comparison with other vessels of the type he had seen launched in Canada. With other similar ships that were being built here the little vessel woidd play an important part in our defence.

"Her job will be to sort out and destroy underwater vessels." said Mr. Coates. "That will be her mission."

It was difficult for people here to realise the peril that threatened our shores, said the Minister. That peril was very real. He referred to the infiltration of the Japanese, to the dangers in the Northern Hemisphere and to the tremendous forces that were ranged against us. We had to do our part in defending our own coast line along with our allies, the Americans, who were doing such a good job in the Solomons, and our Australian cousins, now fighting a desperate battle in New Guinea. We had a clean-cut duty to provide every facility to assist in defeating that common enemy. It was no time to allow political or personal feelings to interfere with our task. They did not matter two pence in the face of the peril that threatened us. We had to bend all our efforts to the task. The little vessel that now rode on the Auckland Harbour must be a symbol of our determination. With her launching another bar was placed in the enemy's way.

Referring to New Zealand's isolated position and her dependence on shipping, Mr. Coates said that the struggle was terrific, and the passage to our shores was hazardous. Our navy and mercantile marine were doing a wonderful job, and we had to remember them and to play our part in the struggle. Every ship that was

launched, every automatic gun, every mortar, every Bren gun carrier, every homb and all the clothing and equipment that this country could make .was adding to the store of the United Nations—a deciding factor in the ultimate defeat of the enemy.

'Split up we can't do it; together, we can," said Mr. Coates in urging; that every one in the community should put their best energies to the job of war production. Our country had done well, but it could do better. "We will not be defeated," he declared. "We will o«eat the enemy and we will destroy him."

' The chairman of the Auckland Harbour Board. Mr. Hendry Luke, saw in the construction of these patrol vessels a presage of the future when New Zealand would build her own coastal vessels. This would be an important step forward in New Zealand's economy. He urged that everything should be done to encourage the shipbuilding industry.

The Mayor, Mr. J. A. C. Allum, in adding his congratulations, paid a tribute to the men engaged in the patrol service on the New Zealand coast. They had a tedious job, but were doing it conscientiously and well with the knowledge that their work was playing a big part in guarding our shores.

Mr. Lidgard. in a brief address, pointed out the co-operative nature of the job that had been done. All had'worked well Thev were not thinking in terms of profit, but all were determined to do their bit.