AUCKLAND BARBOUR BOARD LAUNCH.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XXXVIII, Issue 11644, 4 May 1901, Page 5

AUCKLAND BARBOUR BOARD LAUNCH.

The new launch, Kuaka, which has been built, to the order of the Auckland Harbour J-.oard by Mr. It. Logan, sen., for the eontractors, Messrs. W. A. Kyati and Co., went foi a short trip yesterday afternoon. A large number of invitations were issued by the contractors to gentlemen interested in the commercial and maritime interests of the city. The Kuaka ieft the Queen-street Wharf at half-past two o'clock, having on bo:u-d a largo number of guests, and proceeded up the harbour as far as Pine Island, whore the party were landed, and after a than stay on shore rejoined the steamer, and landed on the wharf about five o'clock. On the run up to tho island and back the engines worked very satisfac torily, a spaed of about 10 knots being maintained throughout, and all on board expressed themselves in high terms as to the accommodation and capabilities of the launch.

The Kuaka was designed and built by Mr. R. Logan, sen., to the order of Meson?. W. A. Ryan and Co., for the Auckland Harbour Board, and is a very handsome-looking craft. The hull is of kauri, and is on the diagonal principle, with three skins. The launch has been constructed on a new principle, the keel stopping about 17ft from tho stern, which gives her a good long cutaway stern, and no deadwood. This is of considerable benefit, inasmuch as it gives a fine clear scope for the working of the propeller, and enables the vessel to turn very rapidly; in fact, she turns in loss than her own length. The dimensions of tho Kuaka are as follow:—Length overall, 75ft; watr-rline, 67ft; beam, 14.6 ft; extreme draught, 6.5 ft. The saloon contains sleeping accommodation for 12 passengers. Tho Kuaka has a bridge deck from which she is steered, underneath which is situated the captain's cabin, galley, lavatory, etc. Below is the saloon, which is 18ft long, handsomely fitted, tho panels being of bird's-eye maple, and the upholstering of crimson velvet. Aft are the quarters for the crew, which are very comfortably fitted. The engine is of the four-cylinder typo, develop ing 95 8.H.1'., and is in every detail tho most up-to-date production of tho Union G&s Engine Company of San Francisco. The vessel is fitted with electric light through out, including arc light on masthead, pilot light, and side lights. The electric light was fitted up by Messrs. Stewart and Fenn, and is also driven by a Union oil engine. Tho engirernom takes up only about onothird as much space as would bo required for tho samo power in a steamer, and leaves ample room for a forehold, main saloon, and after cabin. In the run down the harbour the guests assembled in the saloon, whore a cold collation was partaken of. Mr. M. Niccol prosided, and regretted the absence of Mr. A. Kidd (chairman of the Harbour Hoard), and other members of the Board. He proposed the health of Messrs. W. A. Ryan and Co., and congratulated them upon turning out, such an exce>.ent vessel as the Kuaka. Tin boat was first-class in every detail, and was thoroughly up-to-date. She would no doubt prove herself of great use to thu business of tha Board. Mr. J. T. 801 l replied. Mr. ... (■unsßii also congratulated the contractors upon the success of tho Kuaka, and the wisdom of the Board in obtaining a launch of its own. Various other toasts wore pro posed and responded to, including the designer and builder, Mr. 11. liogan, son., the engineer, Mr. Spinks, and Mr. J. H. Sub ritzky, owner of the Greyhound, who was the first to fit out an auxiliary vessel foi the Northern trade.