FOR U.S. FORCES

Auckland Star, Volume LXXIV, Issue 198, 21 August 1943, Page 6

FOR U.S. FORCES

HISTORIC OCCASION

REVIVAL OF SHIPBUILDING

Eight schoolgirls, daughters of shipyard employees, stood at the bows of eight motor towboats on the slipways of the New Zealand Government Shipbuilding Construction Yard on the Auckland waterfront this morning and swung in turn a bottle of wine. The timehonoured ceremony at intervals sent Ihe craft sliding down the slipways to enter the water gracefully amid the cheers of a large assembly of people. Thus the fleet of "K" boats —Kahu, Kawa, Koroki, Kupe, Kaiau, Korokai, Kiwa and Kanapu, names famous in Maori history—were launched upon their career of service with the American armed forces.

It was a great day for Auckland. A beautiful spring morning, the day was symbolical of the springing to life anew of an industry, that of shipbuilding, which before the war had been languishing. The eight vessels, which easily rode the water, fresh of paint and trim of line, were tangible evidence of the skill and resource of Auckland shipwrights. The occasion was,noteworthy also for the tribute paid to the native race in enshrining in the names of the vessels constructed of native timber—the kauri —memory of distinguished men of the race, in the blood of some of whom was a love of the sea.

The launching ceremony was preceded by a service conducted by the Rev. G. T. Robson, M.C., R.N. The ships were named by Mrs. D. G. Sullivan, wife of the Minister of Industries - and Commerce, and for her services she was handed a token of remembrance by Mr. W. F. McCallum on behalf of the contractors, United Ship and Boat Builders, Ltd. Resources of Dominion In the absence of the chairman of the Auckland Harbour Board, Mr. A. Sutherland, the deputy-chairman, Mr. Frater. said that the launching of the vessels was significant of the potentialities of this country both in the interests of peace and war. The launching of eight vessels at one time had scarcely been equalled in any part of the world. The war, he said, had brought many blessings and one of these was the revival of shipbuilding, which, he said, must be conserved after the war.

Reference to the value of the experience in shipbuilding gained as a result of the war was also made by the Mayor, Mr. Allum. Ships, he said, were playing and would continue to play an important part in the life of the people of New Zealand. Aucklanders had every reason to be proud of the types of small craft locally produced. The Maori people also would appreciate the naming of the vessels after famous leaders of their race. He hoped that good fortune would attend the ships and the crews serving in them.

The launching of the ships, said Captain S. D. Jupp, senior American naval officer in Auckland, demonstrated how well the United States and New Zealand could work together in the war effort. New Zealand's contribution had been a great one. The armed forces had fought valiantly and the country had supplied food and equipment and had assisted in the establishment of hospitals, the handling of cargoes and building of warehouses. The United States in turn had provided raw materials, necessary civilian supplies and some machine tools. The speaker paid a tribute to the splendid spirit of co-operation of shipbuilders of Auckland.