S.S. WAKATU

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume LXVI, 21 August 1934, Page 4

S.S. WAKATU

VESSEL BUILT IN BRIDGE STREET LAUNCHED WHERE ANZAC PARK NOW SITUATED The recent death of Mr J- N. Easdaie recalls the building and launching of the steamer VVakatu at Nelson in 1879. Mr Easdalo was. engaged in tile construction of the vessel, and for some time later served on her as mate before joining the Anchor Shipping and Foundry Co., and resuming his engineering work. SOHO FOUNDRY The appended extract is taken from “The Mail” of 19th June, 1879: — A very interesting piece of work has been going on to-day in Bridge street m the removal of the steamer now in course of construction by Messrs Moutray and Crosbie from the foundry yard towards the Post Office (now Cock and Co.’s) near which she will bo launched. The morning was occupied in running her out across the street, and after dinner the more difficult task of slewing her was commenced. Every available inch of room being required for this operation, she was run out until her nose almost touched Mr Burrell's shop oil the opposite side of the street, just sufficient space being, as it was thought, left to allow of her being turned, but it was found that the calculation was the least bit faulty, and so small portion of a protruding ledge tile shop window had to be sawn off. One of the most enthusiastic of the employees at the foundry, whose whole heart was evidently in the work, was heard to grumble in somewhat powerful terms at the delay thus caused, and to give expression to his conviction that it was a confounded nuisance that people would build their houses right in the way. The difficulty being overcome, the work was proceeded with, and was making satisfactory progress at the time we went to press. It is hoped that, the vessel may be got into the water oil Saturday: We may here remark that the steamer is regarded by all who have seen her, including many competent judges, as a most creditable piece of work, and one of which Messrs Moutray and Crosbie are fairly entitled to feel very proud.

LONG LAND JOURNEY Reports in subsequent issues indicate that the task of conveying the vessel to the water was commenced with considerable difficulty. “The Mail,” 20th June, 1879:—“The work of removing the steamer from the Soho Foundry, which is watched with interest the whole day by a small crowd of people, is progressing most successfully, and although she does not average many knots per hour, about one-third of her journey is accomplished, as she has now reached Hounsell’s Corner (now “Evening Mail” Corner). “The Mail,” 25th June): —“The steamer which has recently been cruising through the streets arrived at the end of her land journey on Monday last, but there was not water enough to admit of her being placed in the element best suited to her travelling capacities, and the launch is consequently postponed until the next spring tides, some eight or nine days hence.”

THE LAUNCHING / In “The Mail” of 7th July, 1879, there is a description of the launching'. ' “An attempt- was made shortly before 11 o’clock on Saturday night to launch the iron steamer recently built by Messrs Moutray and Crosbie for Messrs Cross and Co., but owing to the rope “stopper” on the way nearest the bow not being cut in time, the stern got much way on it, and had inn down and crossed tile narrow channel (now. Anzac Park), and touched the mud-bank on the opposite side, before the bow commenced to move. This involved a large amount of labour during the remainder of the night and a portion of yesterday, hut after a time all the difficulties were overcome, and between eleven and twelve last night the boat was in the water sitting ‘like a duck,’ and was towed down to the Corporation Wharf, where she will receive the necessary fittings and be made ready for sea in six weeks from the present time. “This is the largest vessel of the kind ever built in Nelson, and in many respects the launch has been peculiar and deserving of notice from a mechanical point of view. First, the vessel was built in the centre of the town (where Mr J. A. Stringer’s premises now stand' away from the water, to which it had to be removed on level ways for some hundreds of yards instead of sliding down ordinary ways, having an inclination of about one in ten; secondly, it had to be turned in the middle of the street. This was accomplished in a very successful manner, by sliding the whole mass of ways, cradles, and vessel on subsidiary ways, placed at an angle to those ill which she was taken out of the j ards. It was clear throughout that Messrs Moutray and Crosbie knew perfectly well what they were doing as everything went smoothly and well with tire exception of the mishap on Saturday night, which was entirely due to one of the men engaged not obeying an order which,was' given with sufficient alacrity. ! STEAMER. INTENDED FOR. WANGANUI TRADE ' The steamer, which is intended for the Wanganui trade, is 105 ft over-all, with a beam of 17ft, and 7ft depth in hold. The engines, which will be of 30 h.p. nominal, are constructed by Macofield and Co., of Auckland, the whole of the lemaindcr of the work, including the boiler, which has been tested and strongly approved of by the Government engineer, . having been performed at the Soho Foundry. The carrying capacity of the new boat will be about 90 tons, and she will have ample accommodation for 23 first-class passengers. The ladies’ cabin will be amidships, and the saloon tinder thp poop. The design and workmanship reflect the highest credit upon the builders, Messrs Moutray and Crosbie, and it is to bo hoped that so convincing a proof of their ability to turn out vessels of this class may lead to their receiving many orders of a similar character from other parts of the colony.

“A STARTLING TELEGRAM”Ou tlie following 14th July, “The Mail” published tiie following:— “What does it mean? The ‘Auckland Herald’ of Tuesday last publishes the following startling telegram from Nelson::—‘The steamer Wakatu, having been moved on the ways down to the tide, was successfully launched over to the Corporation wharf, where she will be fitted with her guns, etc.’ Can it be that it is all a blind about the steamer being for Messrs Cross and Co., and that Messrs Moutray and Crosbie have taken a contract to supply Te Whiti with a fleet of gunboats, of which this is the first. 11 We shall watch the career of the Wakatu with anxiety as well as interest after she has been ‘fitted with her guns’ and gone to sea.”

A WARTIME INCIDENT Nelsonians proceeding overland to Christchurch, usually notice the Wakatu piled up on Clarence Point, where she has remained since she was wrecked there on 7th September, 1924. Actually

the Wakatu did have a war time experience which is said to be unique in tbe history of New Zealand shipping. A shot was fired at her for disregarding the coast defence signals when she was steaming up Lyttelton Harbour. It was a few days after the declaration of war and certain coast defence precautions were being taken. One day the Wakatu entered Lyttelton Harbour and went on her way gaily and unconcertedly, and apparently oblivious of the coast defence signals. Those on board were not allowed to remain long oblivious, for a six inch shell was fired light across the little coastal vessel’s helm. The steamer was stopped and a coast defence commander despatched a guaid bout to ascertain why the signals had been disregarded. Ihe explanation was considered satisfactory It was either that the signals had not been seen or, if seen, could not be read, and the Wakatu was allowed to continue her harmless way to the port. J Hie sequel was a rather unexpected one. It is not known how the news of tlie incident was conveyed beyond the Dominion but it evidently reached Sydney, for from that citv a few days afterwards came a cable message addressed to the coast defence commander in his civil capacity as manager of a certain insurance company! to the followmg effect:—“Please remember, and he careful in future; S.S. Wakatu insured in our company.”