NEW CRUISING LAUNCH

Dominion, Volume 27, Issue 71, 16 December 1933, Page 14

NEW CRUISING LAUNCH

Miss Picton at Wellington

The new Marlborough Sounds cruising launch, Miss Picton,- arrived nt Wellington on Thursday afternoon from Auckland in charge of Captain Pyper, and tied up in the Boat Harbour, where she attracted much attention. ISlie is to leave again, probably to-day, .for Pieton.

Built by Messrs. Collings and Bell, Auckland, for Mr. JI. Steele, Picton, the launch is 50 feet long with a 12 feet beam, and is fitted with a 57 h.p. Gardiner diesel engine.

Designed for the tourist and passenger trade on Marlborough Sounds, with headquarters at Picton, the new boat is well fitted for her work. Her high for’ard deck and flaring bow sections will make her dry in it 'seaway. She has a 12ft. enclosed bridge deck for’ard of amidships, under which the engine is installed ahd all controls are centred. The fore cabin is Bft., aft of which is the gallery, etc. Steps down from the bridge deck lead to the main cabin, which is 16ft. Gin. long by lift. ’Gin. wide, and is fitted with 12 sleeping berths. -Aft is a spacious deck, with railing and seats round it, a favourite place with tourists. Miss Picton is painted .white topsides with salmon deck and varnished deck-house. This boat will replace the 45-footer Tinopai, built by the same firm in November, 1932, for Mr. Steele, and which was totally destroyed by lire within a month of taking up her running on the sounds. The boat was not insured, and it is to be hoped that her owner will have better luck with Miss Picton.