HARBOR PLANT

Gisborne Times, Volume LXIV, Issue 10193, 4 January 1926, Page 5

HARBOR PLANT

SUGGESTED PURCHASE OF MONOWAI

HULK FOR SINKING AT WHAREONGAONGA

An important item for consideration by the Harbor Board at a special meeting to he held on Wednesday is the suggested purchase of the Union Co.’s old steamer Monowai, for sinking at Whareongaonga for the purpose of a breakwater and jetty. It is stated that if it is purchased the sinking of the vessel will solve cheaply and efficiently the construction of a breakwater at the quarry site, which will outlast construction work requirements. It is understood that the proposal is not new in that the Board have been considering the purchase of a hulk for some time past, but the difficulty has been to secure a suitable vessel. Some time ago it is stated that the hull of the Tnlune was offered to the Board, but it is understood that when the Engineer arrived at Auckland to enter into negotiations lie found that the Government had forestalled him and had bought the vessel for similar use at Waikokopu and the vessel is now lying at that port ready for sinking. The Monowai. which is under definite offer to the Board, is considered to he more suitable for the Board’s requirements than the Talune. She is considerably larger than the Taulne the gross tonnage being nearly 1500 greater, while she is 50ft longer. The Monowai was built in 1890 by Messrs W. Denny and C 0.,, of Dumbarton, for the Union Steam Ship Company, and is one of the best known vessels in the company’s fleet, having traded between Australian and New Zealand ports fqr many years, and, at one time, calling regularly at Gisborne. During the war she was engaged in the transport of New Zealand troops, hut subsequently has been in commission for a short time only. The vessel has a gross tonnage of 3433 tons, is 330 ft in length, 42ft in breadth, and 24ft in depth. IF the purchase is completed it is understood that the vessel will be stripped by the present owners and the hull delivered to the Harbor Board at the earliest possible date.