SOUTHERN CROSS VI.

Press, Volume LXVIII, Issue 20623, 12 August 1932, Page 19

SOUTHERN CROSS VI.

LAUNCHING AT COWES.

0 IMPRESSIVE CEREMONY

:n . 0 st 01.-Z cv.s coi:r.!:sro::i;-.

LONDON. Juno 30

tiOO church people, beside a gggjk number of the general public, fumbled last week 10 witne.-a the jgnduns of s*>»t"crn Cl '°^ s vl -> lhe tffii) screw motor vessel lor the .Mission. The ceremony piaco at the yards of the builders, li-jys John tfaiuud Mliito and Co., vgst Cotvcs. It was a gloriously imo day., and fkarcli people interested in ilje Misjju, came iroin all parts of the J sic A Wight, from I'orlsmouth, BounicmAßth, and lrom London. Ibo pro,«ediiigs commenced with a procession af clergy, beaded by a cross-bearer .jmj the choir of the Cowes Parish Church, chanting the psalm, "When jjjael came out of fcgypt. ' The coiupy,y included Lauy Bridgcnian, Bishop of Portsmouth aud lfrg >eville l.ovett. the liishop of flocbester, Admiral Sir Arthur K. (Commandcr-in-Chicl, Portsmouth) and Lady Waistell. the L>ean of Winchester and Mrs bchvyn, the ger. A. JS. Corner {.general secretary i of the Melanesian .Mission) ami All's Corner, the Yen. Archdeacon of the yjnd, Dr. i\. McKew, members of the ship-building firm, aud a verylarge number of oilier representative peoolc. Ine hymn, "'lhy Kingdom Come, U god," was sung, and prayers were jiJd by the lie v. Dr. 11. S. Moxon (vicar 01 East Cowes). including a petition for "all seafarers and espeeijflj for those who sail in the Southern doss," followed by the hymn, "Jesus ihall Reign Wher'cr the Sun." The Bishop of Portsmouth (Dr. Senile Lovett, C.8.E.) said they were proud to be gathered there to witness the launching of ;i great missionary skip, great not because of its dimensions, hut because of the work for which it stood, and because the diocese e[ Portsmouth was associated with the great ships of his Majesty's Navy. It fis a matter for congratulation to those who cared about the extension of God's Kingdom that thev should be associated" with the building and launching in the yard of Messrs John Samuel White and Co. of a missionary ship for a purpose which had Ixjen consecrated by the blood and the definite martyrdom of Bishop Patteson 60 years ago, and by the self-sacrifice and service of many messengers of the Gosoel since then. The ship would go forth from the Island as the symbol of their hearts' wish for the spread of the Kingdom of God in the world; it irent forth as the symbol of their deKtre, an expression of their prayers, and a part of their work. They were all deeply grateful for the " privilege which was given them, and they would follow the Southern Qtoßi and the work of the Melanesian Mission with their prayers and assistance. There was still a nam to be raised for the complete provision of the ship.. They -would do their part, and pray to God that lie ■would accept what they did, arid that the ship might always carry men who raw devoted to His service.

Spirit of Self-Sacrifice. Admiral Sir Arthur K. "VVaistell said itwaihia privilege to ask Lady Bridgemill to launch that missionary ship. It i lad btai a very great pleasure to him U) be allowed, to take part in the lMmiehhxg of that ship, as in the course of Ma career he had seer.- missionaries a t work in all parts of the world. The iiing that had impressed him most about the missionaries was their wonderful devotion to their work. There were occasions when, owing to the disturbed and dangerous state of the country, it was necessary to advise the mislionaries to go into a place of safety. They always had the greatest difficulty itt persuading the missionaries to leave u they wished to continue their efforts <joite regardless of their own personal safety. That spirit of self-sacrifice always permeated missionaries in their work. He felt perfectly confiden' that missionaries connected with the work of the Southern Cross would bs actuated by the same keen sense of duty. (Applause.) They would be mdcrtaking most valuable missionary work and adding greatly to the prestige of Great Britain in those waters when* tie ship would be stationed. Lady Bridgeman then launched the Southern Cross, saying: "In the name of the Holy Blessed and Glorious Trinity I call this ship The Sotuhern Cross, tad I launch her on the waters of the peat deep that sho may go to the other lido of the world, bearing the heralds of the Gospel to the isles that wait for its redeeming grace." Lady Bridgeaaa then broke a botlc of Australian wine, suspended over the ship's side, tied with and encased by the national colours, and aa she did so the vessel flided gracefully into the river Medina inrid the cheers of the assembly. Too hymn "For My Sake and th.3 Gospel*, Go," was sung. Lady Bridgomas was presented with a bouquet, of »Mve orchids and lilies of the valley, interspersed with maidenhair fern. Particulars of the Ship.

The Southern Cross is a vessel of construction, built to the deOf Messrs Flannery, Baggallay, >»4 Ltd., under -whose auper--Tbioa, the construction has been carried *rt» »ad to special survey for entry in «°y<r« yacht register in the highest *Jj}* for full power composite yachts. <H&W»ons and other particulars in- '**••• length overall 106 ft, breadth r s '*. etnying capacity 60 tons, speed 9 (Oiota. The vessel has a straight stem, loa g effiptieal stern, two pole masts, and «>e finißeL There is one continuous 'PPtt deck with good sheer and large s**- A largo deckhouse amidships on toe upper deck is arranged for the acwmniedation of tho Bishop, mission •"Walt, and for the ship's officers. For * vessel of such modest dimensions very wansive accommodation has been prodded for both European and native together with nmplo hold for the carriage of mission stores, **■» tte whole being embodied in a. hull ** «peeially wcatherly qualities. The •«««1 ig electrically lighted throughout. **e timber used in the construction is "Special selection, pitch pine being J?™ for the under water por- ?• °* tho hull, and teak * the sheer strakes and top- ■»«■ Oak is used for the stem and keel, sternpost, deadwoods, and "■*«. Copper sheathing of heavy W"g» eovers the bottom from the keel «!**M above the water-line. Teak and ft?* oo P in e are utilised for the decks. ,jZ framework is of strong conation designed with a view to rejTV 8 * all timber of the stresses set T * a seaway. The dining saloon and r?P«, the bishop's room, and the cap- :?■» worn are situated at the fore end wedeek house, being panelled in light jJL.*?. tn sanded finish. The complete "f»«hings of these rooms are also of gSL*° harmonise with the general for tl °' decoration. Accommodation *wer mission and ship's officers is etoH? d aft of the dinin g saloon and &MW- °* Bix cabins ! one of ™ hich - is adjegj furnished in mahogany. In JjT* 10 * to the propulsion by Diesel JJj"* Provision is made for fitting a h «at9ft# lls *° the Tessel - Two carvel*th»\ I!fel)o ats are stowed in davits •-"*t deck. The main, engines are