DEEP-SEA

Greymouth Evening Star, 21 September 1923, Page 7

DEEP-SEA

A WEST COAST ENTERPRISE. Berthed alongside the wharf in the Blaketown Lagoon is a trim little motor launch of 15 tons register—the Waikouiti, which is to open up a new industry for the West Coast. Tile vessel, how owned by the Waikouiti Fishing Company, formerly did fishing trips outside Hokitika, where its headquarters were. Since then, however, it has been refitted in Greymouth by its present master, Mr. C. J oil J’ and Engineer Air. C. Jacobson, extensive alterations being made to the hull and new machinery installed. In a few days the work, will be completed, and the vessel, with its crew of three, will sail lor the West Coast Sounds, there to reap what can from a fishing bed that has never been explored.

Power and comfort arc the chief features of this up-to-date little ship. Electric light is being installed throughout, and considering the size of the boat, the arrangements for the comfort of the crew are remarkably complete. The .Waikouiti is 68 feet in length, and 16ft bin wide. She is capable of earning 20 tons of fish. The engine-room is lifted with two scmi-Diesel engines capable of developing 20 horse-power. The Waikouiti is the only boat on the Coast titled with Diesel engines. They are very powerful and although quite recently adjusted drove the vessel in a trial run she macle to Point Elizabeth at the rate of 12 knots. When in full working order it is expected that the engines will develop 14 knots with very Little trouble. One of the most interesting features of the vessel is the large freezer, which, of course, will be an important adjunct, in keeping the fish in good order until the vessels return to poll, ine freezer is to be driven by a 5 h.p. Orion Engine, ami as the wnole ot u.e machinery is in good order the company will be we.ll repaid for the money laid out on its installation. Those connected with the vessel are confident that a great future ties before her. The West Coast Bounds are said to be teeming with fish, and m oiiq of the bays, Okuru, it is reported that white-bait can be caught in enormous quantities without any trouble. The W’aikouiti’s field of operations will extend from the Bounds to Wellington, but it is chiefly in the Bounds that the vessel will work. The value of those quiet inlets as an opportunity for the development of fisheries has

often bee.n favourably commented on, and several proposals have been made for years past for their exploration. Now the matter has been taxe.n up in earnest and it rests with the Waikouiti tv show whether West Coast waters like the West Coast itself abounds in wealth. If tho venture is successful it is the intention of the. company not only to supply West Coast needs but also to open up trade, with Canterbury. Now that the Otira Tunnel is opened the vessel will be able to connect direct with Christchurch-bound trains, and before long the appearance of West Coast fish on outside markets may be frequent and regular enough to entitle, the venture to rank as one of the industries of this province. The vessel is strongly built, well-iitted and commodious, and the. engineer declared to the “Star” reporter who -visited it this morning that although he had been three times around the world he had never been on a vessel equal to it in seaworthiness, so that the fish, if it is there, will be • caught under the best conditions. If the field is really worth exploiting, it requires no stretch of imagination to picture the Waikouiti as the sturdy pioneer of a big fleet of fishing vessels in an equally big West Coast industry.