TIROA REBUILT

Auckland Star, Volume LXXIV, Issue 252, 23 October 1943, Page 4

TIROA REBUILT

COASTAL VESSEL WORK IN AUCKLAND YARDS Further evidence of the development of the shipbuilding industry on the Auckland waterfront is the work which has been proceeding for the past year at Shipbuilders, Ltd., Poore Street, Freeman's Bay, on the Tiroa, an all-wood vessel of 370 tons, which has been stripped of everything but her keel and heavy kauri floors and rebuilt for the South Taranaki Shipping Company. The work is now completed, and the Tairoa will leave the slips on Tuesday to load for the south, where she will be engaged carrying cheese between Wellington ana Patea. Built during the last war, the Tiroa was owned until Octooer ; 1942 by the Gisborne Sheepfarmers Shipping Line. She was then purchased from the slips and towed to Auckland to be refitted for her new owners. Thousands of pounds have been expended, and the vessel converted from steam to Diesel motor. All the engine-room equipment, including the motor, a Fairbanks Morse full Diesel of 240 horse-powei, and many of the deck fittings were formerly in the Awanui, which, was also bought by the South Taranaki Shipping Company, and lies nearby. The work has provided employment for an average of about 30 men since the Tiroa reached th£ yards a year ago. Everything is of heavy construction. , Comfortable Quarters The complement of nine, comprising the master, mate, first and second engineers, cook and. *our able seamen, will have extremely comfortable quarters. There is accommodation for ten in case an extra mate is carried at any time. The living quarters are spacious and airy. The furnishings, of polished rimu, lie flush, and give a cheerful, light air to the whole ship. The engineroom, too, is light in colour, and the motor has been painted white. The hold, 68 feet in length, has two hatches to facilitate speedy loading, the gear for which is contained in the ship. This hold will carry approximately 2200 crates of cheese. A now 16ft lifeboat, built to hold 12 persons, will be kept on the poop deck behind the bridge. As the vessel will be crossing harbour bars frequently she has been fitted with an extra large wooden rudder, and also has a steadying sail for use in close waters. The wheelhouse is raised off the poop deck. The launching of the rebuilt hull took place on July 20, just before the new minesweeper, H.M.N.Z.S. Tawhai, took the water from an adjoining yard. The Tiroa has been up and down the slips several times since then. Although trials have yet to be held, it is estimated that the speed of the vessel will be nine or ten knots. The work she will perform, the transportation of food, is indeed a vital part of the Dominion's war effort. The master is Captain P. McLachlan. There will be no public ceremony when she leaves the slips on Tuesday.