NEW OIL BARGE

Evening Post, Volume CXXII, Issue 14, 16 July 1936, Page 11

NEW OIL BARGE

HINUWAI AFLOAT

LAUNCHING CEREMONY

To the accompaniment of cheers and the fluttering of gaily-coloured bunting the Union Steam Ship Company's new oil barge Hinuwai took the water at Evans Bay for the first time yesterday afternoon. The naming ceremony was carried out by the Minister of Industries and Commerce (the Hon. V. G. Sullivan), and representatives of many shipping and industrial concerns witnessed the launching, as well as an interested crowd of spectators.

The barge, which rested on a huge cradle on. the slipway, was painted gleaming black air over, the name being painted in white letters, bow and stern. A line of gay flags was strung between two wooden masts on the deck, and from three coloured ribbons at her bow depended a bottle of champagne ready to be swung against her steel sides by the Minister. ,

'The works manager of the Patent Slip Company, Mr. D. Jamieson, on behalf of the employees, welcomed Mr. N. S. Falla, chairman of directors of the Union Company, and- the other guests. The launching ceremony, he said, was much appreciated by the men, who were glad of the interest taken in their efforts. He called for three cheers for Mr. Falla, and these were heartily accorded.

Mr. Falla said that the men had every reason to be proud of the vessel, which was the result of many months of work. He welcomed especially Mr. Sullivan, who had kindly consented to be present in order to name and launch the vessel. THE MINISTER'S SPEECH. The word Hinuwai, said Mr. Sullivan, in performing the naming ceremony, meant "oil and water," which, as everyone knew, did not mix. However, in the name given to his ship Mr. Falla had achieved the impossible, and he was not sure whether he should not, for that reason, be offered a position in the Cabinet. (Laughter.) As Minister of Industries and Commerce he was interested in anything that indicated progress and development of manufacturing industries in ( any shape or form. It was a matter of great interest to know that the job had been successfully achieved, and he knew that it was a good job. Although a comparatively small craft, the construction of the barge, in view of the. new methods adopted, reflected great credit on all concerned.

"Several steamers have been built in' New Zealand," said the Minister, "for instance, the Weka in 1883 in Wellington and the Maitai in 1885. The latter, I am informed; was the first steel vessel built south of the Line, and.was 175 ft in length. She carried' 500 tons of cargo and had accommodation for 25 passengers, and was launched over Te Aro Beach from' Luke's Foundry, then fronting the present Wakefleld Street, Later, in 1904, the Putiki was built in Auckland and was 150 ft in length.

"TheHinuwai marks a new and novel departure in construction as the old method of riveting has been entirely discarded, electric gelding having taken its place. ' When I mention there are nearly nine miles of welds, you will realise .the magnitude of the work involved,,. With this new system, naturally, special men had to be trained.here to understand and adapt themselves to it. They, were given a course of instruction, which, backed by their knowledge, very quickly resulted in work which Will stand up to the moat exacting test. This reflects credit on both 'the men's mental calibre and their adaptability.

"Some very pleasing features of the construction of this barge are, firstly, that the work has been done locally and giyen employment to many skilled, deserving men and for some months.' That the men have given of their very best in return is fully evident: from what you see before you. Secondly, the great bulk of the materials, including the machinery and piping, came from England, whilst the castings Were made locally. So that we can safely say that this vessel is British, throughout; and a credit to pur Dominion. I will now. have the. pleasure Of launching the Hinuwai -and wishing her success."

The Minister then swung the bottle of champagne against the bows, the chocks .-were knocked away, and the great hull began to move slowly down the slope towards the water, the rate of progress being regulated by a cable attached to the bow. As the vessel slipped down out of the cleft in the hills the flags between the masts were emblazoned 'by the- sunlight, making a brave . showing. The progress of the vessel was stopped momentarily just before she touched the. water while ropes were, adjusted, but after a wait of seyeral minutes the Hinuwai slipped quietly into the water, where tugs took her in charge and shepherded her .to the wharf. After the ceremony a function was held in the Union Company's laundry at Evans Bay, where guests drank to the success of the Hinuwai. Tributes were paid to. the builders, of the craft.

Mr. W. H. Price, a director of the Patent Slip Company, apologised. for the absence of Sir Harold Beauchamp, chairman Of directors of the Patent Slip Company, who, he said, was unable to be present owing to undisposition, and who had taken a great interest in the new vessel. Apologies were also received from the Minister of Marine (the Hon. P. Fraser) and the Secretary of the Marine Department (Mr. U. B. Campbell).

Mr. Falla proposed the toast of Mr. C. M. Luke, One of the pioneers of the shipbuilding industry in" New Zea>land.

Mr. Luke, in reply, recounted reminiscences of the earlier days, making special mention of the Union Company and the pioneer shipbuilding firms of the country. ■