TRAWLER LAUNCHED

Evening Star, Issue 19697, 26 October 1927, Page 3

TRAWLER LAUNCHED

HAKY HEW FEATURES

At Tort Chalmers yesterday afternoon Messrs Miller and Tunnago Jaunchcd a new motor trawler that is not only a very lino vessel, but also emphasises the change-over that is taking place in the design of fishing boats. Tins new boat is built .to the order of Mr W. Coffey, who intends her for fishing from that port. Her name is the Gannet, and she is designed as a serviceable craft in all weathers. The Cannot is built of kauri, with tcakwood decks, and may bo termed u reversion to the straight stem counter stern type of launch. When oil engines supplanted oars and sail tho type of boat did not change with tho change of motive power, and whaleboats were gradually built bigger. These larger and more powerful whaleboats gradually adopted smalt trawls to supplement and occasionally supersede the older mode of lino fishing. Tho whaleboat typo of fishing craft seems to have reached its limit of utility for motor fishing purposes. Hence this reverting to the straight stem, counter stem class, it Is likely to become popular in the I’ort Chalmers fishing fleet, because that fleet is being gradually forced farther afield for frfish fishing grounds. Tho North Reef has been tho main source of supply for several years past, but it is now becoming exhausted. There are said to bo three times more fishermen engaged in the industry at present than was the case three years ago, and. the supply of fish has not increased. The Nuggets provides a more prolific fishing ground, but it is a day’s run distant from Otago Heads. Fishing at the North Reef, the fisherman leave Port Chalmers about 4 a.m., and return with the clay’s haul about 5 or 6 p.m. Going to the Nuggets would mean tho following evening probably. Therefore bigger and more powerful boats are required. Tho Gannet would hi) tho bill, tier length is 4(51 fc, beam 12ft, moulded depth sft Gin, and draught 7ft. Big enough to carry a worthy haul, and safe enough to navigate rough water with a margin of comfort, she appealed to tho local fishermen who gathered yesterday to'sco her launched and to wish her good luck. Her 50 h.p. crude oil engine will give a speed of 8 knots. It is on English engine, and weighs about 4 tons, this great weight having proved a serviceable element in actual trawling. The ordinary kerosene engine of similar horse-power would scale anout 15owt, bub this typo does not impart the stability of the heavier engine while the trawl is being lowed ._ On tho Gannet tbo living quiwj'crs are in tho forecastle, the engine rctom is amidships, and the fish hold it nft. A roomy dock, a motor winch, imd bulwarks feature in the design, licit probably one of the most atiraittivo features of tbo Gamiet’s equipment is tho one-man control of the machinery and steering from the wheelhouse. Messrs Miller and Tonnage have four more fishing launches on order- One oi these is a counter-stern ketch for Akaroa. Tin's firm has on tho stocks a motor pilot launch for the Tiuiarg H*®* boy Board,