MISSION SHIP

Hokitika Guardian, 14 October 1933, Page 6

MISSION SHIP

SEVENTH SOUTHERN CROSS LA UNCHING CEREMONY LONDON, October 6. The new Melanesia 11 Mission ship was launched on September 4 from the Birkenhead yard of Messrs Caimnell Laird. This was a. private ceremony. The dedication by tiie Bihop of the Diocese and the christening ceremony by the Lady Stanley will take place at Liverpool shortly. Just as the vessel entered the water seven tugs, just slightly smaller than the new vessel, arrived on the scene. Some had nothing to do with the launching, blit one tug went alongside the smart little ship and, gliding along the water with her like a smaller brother, guided her into a dry dock at the south end of the shipyard. She has yet to undergo her steam trials. The services of Messrs Flannery, Baggallay and Johnson, naval architects, were, again engaged to supervise the plants and building of the vessel.

The unusual bourse of launching the steamer practically complete, equipped with engines, twin, propellers, a small squat streamlined funnel and masts, was adopted, and except for an inspection of her hull and other minor details, she is ready for service. She is wholly of steel of the yacht type, and has a ; raking stem and elliptical counter stem, and is motor driven. She has ,a saloon which can be readily converted into a cliapcl. She is 120 ieet in length and 28$ feet in width, or 20 feet longer on the water line and 3$ feet wider than the ship that was wrecked last year.

A large deckhouse extending for about two-thirds of the space contains a saloon, and a 'day and night cabin for the bishop. There are also four twobertli staterooms, a dispensary, and other offices.

The bishop’s cabins are panelled in light oak, with upholstery to match. The dispensary is equipped to take a complete three months’ supply of medicines for over 50 persons. At the forward end of the promenade deck is the deck house, containing rooms for the captain and two officers. Accommodation has been arranged for 54 native passengers. The chapel has been equipped with many ornaments given to the mission. Messrs Cahirnell Laird and Company have presented the mission with a fine painting of the ship. This has been successfully reproduced in'postcard farm in colour. In the building of; the new Liverpool cathedral the "Melanesian Mission \Vas remembered. 111 the Rose Window in the North Choir Aisle there is shown “Landing of Missionaries hom tlio Melanesian Mission Ship, the Southern Cross” and in the Great East Window, in'fhe"‘third light among the Martyrs, are John Coleridge Patteson and, separately,, a -Melanesian. • h*