LENGTHY TRIP BY LAUNCH.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LVI, Issue 17144, 25 April 1919, Page 4

LENGTHY TRIP BY LAUNCH.

AUCKLAND TO SAMOA. LOCALLY-BUILT CRAFT. A lengthy voyage, from Auckland to Samoa, will shortly be undertaken by the new motor launch Siliafai, recently built bv Mr. C. Bailey, Junr., of Auckland, for Messrs. Nelson and Son, of Samoa. She is intended for the inter-Island trade in the Samoan Group, to replace the auxiliary schooner Wave, which Messrs. Nelson and Son purchased from the Northern Steamship Company a few months ago. The Wave was found to be too slow and she is to be returned to Auckland as Boon as the Siliafai reaches Samoa. The distance between Auckland and Samoa is about 1600 miles, and the Siliafai is expected to make the voyage in about 10 days. It will be her second attempt as she left here for Samoa last week, but owing to strong westerly weather she put into Mercury Bay and then retimed to Auckland. The Siliafai is built on the lines of a cruising launch and is fitted with a 5T h.p. Standard engine cipable of driving her nine knots. She also has a large mainsail for use in favourable winds. She is 54ft long by 13ft beam and 4ft 6in depth. On the run to Samoa she will carry a captain, engineer, and two deck-hands. Fuel for 15 days and provisions for longer will bo carried. As she is classed as a yacht of less than 10 tons she will not be subject to Board of Trade regulations. The only certificate the Siliafai requires is a clean bill of health. She is expected to leave Auckland for her long journey at the beginning of next week