RANGATIRA REPAIRS

Greymouth Evening Star, 26 May 1936, Page 10

RANGATIRA REPAIRS

DRY DOCK DEPARTURE. [PEB PBESS ASSOCIATION.] WELLINGTON, May 25. One of the biggest ship-repairing tasks ever tackled in New Zealand was brought to a successful conclusion this afternoon, when the interIsland express steamer Rangatira, was taken off the Jubilee dock with her hull, which was badly damaged when the vessel struck a rock on February 2, as sound and strong as the day she was launched. For well over three months the Rangatira has been on the dock while a legion of -workmen have been employed .straightening and renewing the torn and broken plates of her hull. Now, with the last of the new plates riveted into position, her keel straightened, and her frames in true alignment, the Rangatira has been thoroughly and permanently repaired. Her bow rudder was placed in position several days ago, its removal having been necessary owing to the twisting of the stem girder. Access to this girder would have been hampered with the rudder in position, and, also, it was discovered that a rounded plate behind the rudder had been damaged, and needed attention. The Rangatira is to remain at Wei- , lington for some weeks, while internal overhauling and refitting is to be done, prior to her resuming her running in the Wellington-Lyttelton ser- . vice. !