KETCH SOUBRETTE AT TOWN WHARF BASIN

Northern Advocate, 5 January 1938, Page 6

KETCH SOUBRETTE AT TOWN WHARF BASIN

Although not making her first appearance in the Town Basin, the auxiliary ketch Soubrette was the cen - tre of much interest when she pulled in at the wharf this morning. Two-masted, with sails furled and paintwork glistening, she was indeed a picture. Captain Mills Palmer, her owner, is apparently a stickler lor having things ship-shape. Ropes were coiled, one dinghy hung from its davits and the ■other was moored close by. The Soubrette was fuelling when an “Advocate” reporter went aboard. It was an orderly business, carried out under the personal supervision of Captain Palmer,

Launched in 1936. About 18 months old, the Soubrette was launched on July 22, 1936. She has,a length of 45ft, a 13ft beam and a draught of 7ft. Originally her wooden keel weighed over a ton, but this has since been cut down. She carries a good weight ballast, however —(A tons outside, and 2i tons inside. She is fitted out for comfort. In addition to the usual cooking arrangements, hot and cold water, a bath, arid electricity, the Soubrette is equipped with both transmitting and receiving wireless apparatus. “ZMDB” is her call signal. Captain Palmer, in addition to his foreign-going master’s ticket, also holds a wireless operator’s ticket and has his craft registered as a ship. There are nine berths aboard her, but actually the sleeping accommodation is available for only seven.

1000-Mile Range. Her fuel tanks give the Scubrette a 1000-mile range. Equipped as a ship in every way, she has a flag locker and a full complement of code flags. On the present cruise-commenced at Auckland on Christmas Eve —the vessel went as far North as Whangaroa. Good weather was experienced, and fishing contributed a large share to the enjoyment of the six people she has aboard her. “It was so good,” commented Captain Palmer with a smile, “that we were thinking of supplying all Whangarei.” A splendid sea boat is the Soubrelte. and as an example of her qualities, her skipper told how the vessel had proceeded on to Whangarei last year when men o’ war of the Australian fleet had pulled in to Waiwera Bay for shelter.

The Subrette was last seen in Whangarei on April 25 last, when she was setting out for an Island cruise. On that occasion sho took 11 days to reach Suva.

The Soubrette was last seen in Wliangarci and will run down the coast to the Barrier. From there she will return direct to Auckland, as her captain says, “to deliver her cargo back to work.”