Building Naval Trawlers in Auckland

Manawatu Times, Volume 65, Issue 254, 26 October 1940, Page 7

Building Naval Trawlers in Auckland

Per Press Association. AUCKLAND, Oct. 25. The Government’s programme for tho construction of trawlers for defence purposes announced some time by the Minister of Marino (Hon. D. G. McMillan) has been initiated by tho letting of contracts to Auckland foundries with whom will be associated wellknown local shipbuilding yards. The vessels will be of tho composite type with wooden planking and decking built on to a steel frame. When he announced tho programme tho Minister stated that a beginning was being mado in Auckland because there was available locally a supply of valuable second-hand equipment which would very considerably reduce the cost of construction. Somo of the equipment needed has been provided by the Government’s purchase of tho steamers Ngapuhi, Rarawa, Rangitoto and Clay* more from tho Northern Steamship Company. The vessels will be brought iu from where they have been moored in idleness in the upper harbour and stripped of their boilers and eugineaa which are stated to bo iu excellent condition. The foundries to which the contracts have been let includo Mason Bros. Engineering Coy., Ltd., Seagras Bros., Ltd., and the Senior Foundry, Ltd. The shipbuilding firms to be associated with the foundries include Shipbuilders, Ltd., and W. G. Lowe and Sons, Ltd. Everything is stated to be in readiness for the construction. The designs are of a type specially suitable for tho work the vessels will bo called upon to undertake and the purchase of the second-hand engines and other equipment has removed difficulties which would probably have been mot with iu obtaining materials from overseas.