PATROL VESSEL LAUNCHED

Press, Volume LXXVIII, Issue 23756, 30 September 1942, Page 4

PATROL VESSEL LAUNCHED

CEREMONY AT AUCKLAND

FIRST FIGHTING SHIP BUILT IN NEW ZEALAND 'P.A.) AUCKLAND, Sept. 29. The first fighting vessel built in a Now Zealand shipyard was launched to-day with impressive ceremony and christened in traditional manner by Miss Pat Coates, daughter of the Minister of Armed Forces and War Coordination (the Rt. Honi J. G. Coates). The vessel slid into the sunlit waters, a picture of trim efficiency. Before the launching the keel of a similar vessel was laid. Still another is well on towards completion on the stocks. The vessel is of the Fairmile type, and will join the Royal New Zealand Navy for activities off the New Zealand coast. It is 100 feet long, and engined with two Patrol motors, each of 600 horse-power. No steel was used in the vessel's frame, which is of bakelised plywood made in England. The hull is of New Zealand timber, constructed entirely by Now Zealand workmen employed by Associated Boatbuildcrs. Ltd. The principal contractor, Mr .Roy Lidgard, said to-day that although the standard of time for the production ,of these vessels was given as 40,000 working hours, this one was built in 30,000 working hours. Present at the ceremony were representatives of the fighting services and local bodies. Speakers were Mr Coates, the chairman of the Harbour Board (Mr H. Luke), and the Mayor of Auckland (Mr J. A. C. Allum). “Her job will be to sort out and destroy underwater vessels.” said Mr Coates, speaking for the Government, He added chat Now Zealand had men capable and competent and with the will to turn out work that would compare favourably with that done anywhere, Adverse factors such as New Zealand’s small size and lack of equipment could act as a spur to all in the task of war production. It was a most important job. as supply was a key to the ultimate defeat of the enemy. He urged New Zealanders to give thought to the danger that threatened, and at no time allow political or personal feelings to interfere with their task. The little vessel that now rode on Auckland harbour must be a symbol of New Zealand's determination. With her launching another bar was placed in the enemy’s way. “Split up. we can't do it, together we can.” he added. “We will not be defeated. We will defeat the enemy and we will destroy him.”