SHIPBUILDING IN N.Z.

Grey River Argus, 22 September 1945, Page 8

SHIPBUILDING IN N.Z.

Nearly 500 vessels, totalling in value about £3,800,000 have been constructed in New Zealand shipbuilding yards .since the war began. Built mainly for allied sea and landing operations in the Pacific, these vessels include “Fairmile” anti-submar-ine patrol boats, mine-sweepers, refuelling barges, powered lighters, steel tug-boats and wooden tow-boats. Measured by the industry’s peacetime output this figure is large indeed. But, although the industry had been comparatively small, evidence had at least been provided that New Zealand could build sound ships. New Zealand-built wooden craft have traded" to Australia, to the Pacific Islands and to the western coast of America. Steel ferry boats have been built for internal use. Our own defence needs and essential assistance for our allies meant that production had to be stepped up. Some new and, at first, strange types of craft had to be built. More shipbuilding yards, more labour were required. In Auckland, two shipbuilding yards —one for steel ships, the other for wooden —were established. In Wellington, Dunedin and Port Chalmers, and in Christchurch, other shipbuilding yards were geared to wartime production. And from the small peacetime industry there emerged skilled craftsmen sufficient to justify this expansion. Moreover, unskilled operatives have become skilled shipwrights. Australia has provided steel; America has provided the bulk of the propelling machinery and auxiliary units. Apart from actual construction, much work has been done in repairing our own coastal vessels and ships of the allied nations. The following table gives details of New Zealand's wartime shipbuilding programme:— , tij For N.Z. Navy: No. built Composite minesweepers (126 ft.) 4 Steel minesweepers (125 ft.) . . 9 “Fairmile” anti-sub. craft (112 ft.) . 12 Steel Oil barges (180 ft.) 1 For R.N.Z.A.F.: Refuelling barges, crash launches, flarepath dingies etc 27 For U.S.A.: x Steel tug-boats (7d ft.) 3U> Wood .tow-boats (45 ft.) nO Powered lighters <ll4 ft.) .... 22* Barges, wood, prefabricated (50 ft.) 40 Barges, wood completed (50 ft.) 100 Amphibian trailers (steel) .... 100 Wherries, wood (12ft. and 14 ft.) 60 For Administration. Western Pacific: Wooden vessels (60 ft.) 5 For Eastern Supply Group Council: Tow-boats, wood (45 ft.) 24- * Some still under construction.