TRAWLERS FOR DEFENCE

Evening Star, Issue 23717, 26 October 1940, Page 6

TRAWLERS FOR DEFENCE

GOVERNMENT BUILDING PROGRAMME [Per United Press Association.] AUCKLAND, October 25. The Government’s programme for the construction of trawlers for defence purposes, which was_ announced some time ago by the Minister of Marine (Dr D. G. M'Millan), has been initiated by the letting of contracts to Auckland foundries with which will be associated well-known local ship-build-ing yards. The vessels will be of the composite type with wooden planking and decking built on to a steel frame. When he announced the programme the Minister stated that a beginning was being made in Auckland because there was available locally a supply of valuable second-hand equipment which would very considerably reduce the cost of construction. Some of the equipment needed has been provided by the Government’s purchase of the steamers Ngapuhi, Rarawa, Rangitoto. and Claymore from the Northern Steamship Company. The vessels will be brought in from where they have been moored in idleness in the upper harbour and stripped of their boilers and engines, which are stated to be in excellent condition. The foundries to which contracts have been lot include Mason Bros, Enfineering Company Ltd., Seagar Bros, ltd., and the Senior Foundry Ltd. The shipbuilding firms to be associated with the foundries include Shipbuilders Ltd. and W. G. Lowe and Sons Ltd. Everything is stated to be in readiness for construction. The designs are of a type specially suitable for the work tire vessels will be called upon to undertake and the purchase of secondhand engines and other equipment has removed difficulties which would probably have been met with in obtaining materials from overseas.