THE SCHOONER PROGRESS

Evening Star, Issue 17086, 3 July 1919, Page 6

THE SCHOONER PROGRESS

READY FOR SEA. Tho reconstruction of the three-masted schooner Progress is practically completed. After receiving » final coat of paint she comes oat of clock this evoning or to-mor-row morning, and comes up to Dun-edin to load for Ivaipara, going on to Whangape to take in a cargo of timber for Sydney. Sho will probably _ con-tin we to trade botween tho Dominion and th« Commonwealth. Captain G. A. Marks goes a-3 m-astef.

In looking over the Progress, one is struck with the absence of indications of her previous occupation, and it is somewhat difficult to (imagine her, not so long ago, as dredging at Oamaru. But she did. Her transformation into a mercartilo trader is now complete, mid the carrying out of it has called for the exercise of considerable ingenuity and resourcefulness, while at the same time it was handicapped by war conditions. First of all, she was gutted from end to end, all machinery, fittings, and material being removed. Then new decks were laid fore arid aft, and on top of these the steel forecastle and poop were constructed :for the accommodation of the crow. Later on sho was docked, and the existing watertight buikheads fund divisions, which dredging made indispensable, were -removed, with the exception of the forward arid' the after-peak Bulkheads. The wells were reframed and plated, and .new floors fitted. Then the stepping of her masts and the fitting of the "top hamper" was carried out. The Progress is of the type known as a " baldheaded" schooner, gaff-topsails being omitted. In order to mako her an easy ship to work at sea, everything aloft and below has been kept as simple as possible. Two big hatchways give access to her single hold, end these were made much larger than usual, in order to facilitate the loading and discharging of timber. The high combings are a factor of safety. Features of tho forecastle are laige lights and airy space, tho appointments generally suggesting that her owners recognise tlrafc, in order to get good crews, good quarters should be provided. The saloon is aft, alio rooms for the master, two mates, the cook, and the boy. The prevailing idea heie lias also evidently been to make conditions as comfortable afloat as possible. A good-sized galley, with pantry and stores, icomplobes tho cook's '■department, and this i% arranged so as to pla-oe it near the dining saloon, and yet clear of the sleeping apartments. The bathroom has fresh and salt water laid on. Tho dock equipment includes a- donkev boiler to supply steam for the cargo winches, and a " mesßCing6L"" from one of these winches operates tho windlass. Tho sails were made in Auckland, but the rigging was all done at Port Chalmers, where the Prom-oss has boon reconstructed by Messrs Miner Bros., in accordance with the regulations of and under tho supervision of the Marino Department. The Progress adds her mama to the list of vessels whose port of registry is Duoedm.