TUG TO CARGO CARRIER

Evening Star, Issue 16822, 26 August 1918, Page 6

TUG TO CARGO CARRIER

ARRIVAL OF STEAMER STELLA. VESSEL IN FIRST-CLASS ORDER. Prominent amongst the arrivals at Dunedin yesterday morning was the old Government steamer Stella, which is malting her first visit here after an absence of many years. The Stella was purchased about 'seven months ago by the Otago Iron Rolling Mills Company, Ltd., from the Leyland-O'Brien Timber Company, Ltd., of Auckland. She left Auckland on Monday evening, August 19, arrived at Wellington at 4 p.m. on Thursday last, and sailed again at 5 p.m. on Friday for Dunedin. Tho vessel, which was berthed at the Birch street wharf, was the object of much attention yesterday by frequenters of the waterfront, and her spick-and-span appearance and shapely lines were favorably commented on. The Stella is well known throughout the Dominion, and has often been described as one of the most handsome models in New Zealand waters. She was specially constructed of Lowmoor iron for carrying heavy work, on the New Zealand coast, and has had a remarkable career. She is of 269 tons gross register, and was built at Cartsdyke, Scotland, in 1876. Her principal dimensions are: Length, 1153 ft 3m: breadth, 21ft lin; and depth, 12ft 2in. Her engines are of the compound type, of 90 horse-power. The Stella came to New Zealand over 40 years ago. She was then owned by the New Zealand Government, and was used for lighthouse work for many years before tho purchase of tho Hinenioa. She was subsequently purchased by the Leyland-O'Brien Timber Company, Ltd., of Auckland. The Stella was then employed in towing rafts of logs from the various timber ports in the North of Auckland. She was put out of commission some years ago, and had been used as store ship at an anchorage in Auckland Harbor up to the time she was purchased by tho progressive Dunedin firm. The refitting of the Stella at Auckland was delayed at times owing to bad weather and a. shortage of shipwrights. The new owners of the vessel have spared no expense in carrying out the necessary alterations. The work has taken five months, and during that time the vessels hull has boon chipped und painted inside and out. "J.'he boiler was taken out, and a heavy plate was fitted at a certain part. The engines were thoroughly overhauled, und a new evaporator and donkey pump installed. Tho funnel has been lengthened 7ft to give better draught. A dynamo has been installed, and electric light fitted fore and aft. To make space for cargo the fore cabin and saloon have been gutted out, and the after bulkhead in the forward hold has been shifted 7ft aft. The result of this is a forehold capable of holding over 200 tons of cargo, besides the two new l.OOOgal tanks fitted at the after end. The after-hold has been extended, and 3 new winch and two cargo derricks fitted on the after deck. A roomy forecastle for eight men has been renovated, and the accommodation for the officers and engineers in the saloon amidships has been fitted up. She will carry about 550 tons cargo measurement and 270 tons deadweight. In a communication to the owners, Captain C. C. Plunket, Lloyd's surveyor at Auckland, states that he had made a careful and most thorough examination of the Ktolla, and had been in attendance from time to time as the repairs proceeded. He was satisfied by personal inspection as to the general condition of the ship. The Stella was strong and well built, and no expense has been spared in the repairs to her, which were carried out under close supervision. At. the trial of the machinery, etc., on Auckland Harbor on August 15, everything worked satisfactorily. All the recommendations made by Captain Plunket as to improvements and alterations had been carried out to his entire satisfaction, and the vessel was now in good order and condition, and fit to carry dry and perishable cargoes. The Stella will be pricipally employed in the coastal cargo trade, and to carry scrap iron from various New Zealand ports for the firm's Dunedin works. She will also make trips further afield for scrap iron supplies. This will mean a big saving in expense and time to tho company, as at present vessels are chartered to bring scrap iron cargoes to Dunedin. The Stella can develop a speed of from 10J to 11 knots per hour, and she should prove a most serviceable vessel to the company. Mr E. Wood, late of Messrs H. L. Tap'ley and Co., was recently appointed shipping manager for the owners of the Stella. Mr Wood has had a wide experience of the shipping businoss in London, Australia, and New Zealand, and under his capable management the shipping business of the Otago Iron Rolling Mills Company will be in safe hands. Mr E. G. F. Zohrab has been appointed Wellington agent for the company.

The Stella brought a full shipment of general cargo and scrap iron for discharge here. She will sail about Wednesday with a full general cargo for Wellington, and after dischargo there she will load for the return trip to Dunedin. It is expected that the Stella will make her first trip to Australia in a few weeks' time. ..