THE YACHT-LIKE HUIA.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LIX, Issue 18077, 29 April 1922, Page 11

THE YACHT-LIKE HUIA.

EXTENSIVE OVERHAUL. ALMOST READY FOR SEA. The Nobel Explosive Company's auxiliary schooner Huia, which has been five months at Auckland undergoing an extensive overhaul and refit, is nearly ready lor sea. During the time she has been in the shipwright's hands she naa been overhauled from truck to kelson, the outside of the hull was stripped, caulked all over and recoppered. Inside all the bi'ge stringers and the lining in the hold were renewed and several frames were fitted. The houses on deck, where the officers and crew live, have both been renewed and made larger and more comfortable. The cabin and berths are painted with white enamel and picked out with gold and the furniture, which is all of polished wood, gives the place a liner appearance. The house forward, where the crew berth, is larger than the o'd one and is fitted up in a most comfortable manner with lockers and cupboards. All bunks on board are fitted with spring mattresses. There are two new bathrooms, one forward and one aft. As a precaution against water finding its way into the hold, the hatch has been fitted with heavy 3ft coamings. The new windlass which has been fitted is driven

winoiass wnica naa ueeu uncu u> iui-™ with a gypsy from the new oil engine on deck. " The rudder has been shifted 2ft. further aft to give a solid aperture for the propeller. This gives more room on deck near the wheel and will give the vessel more activity when manoeuvring. All her rigging has been overhauled and parts renewed, and she has

practically a new set of sails. What will make a considerable differ-j ence in the voyages of the vessel is t'lio new 160 horse-power latest Beardmorel i semi-Diesel engine, which has been fitted. ] I It burns crude oil, and is capable of driving the vessel nine knots. For the size of the vessel the engine room is large, measuring about 22ft. by 14ft. _ It j also contains a 10 horse-power auxiliary engine for driving two air compressors, i auxiliary pumps and dynamo for supply-) ing electric lighting power throughout. | The dynamo can also be driven off the main engine. Equipped for sea she carries 4000 gallons of crude oil, capable of tak-l ing the vessel 2000 miles at full speed. The alteration and refitting of the vessel has been carried out by Messrs. Bailey and Lowe, and the fitting of the engine and accessories has been supervised by Mr. W. H. Long. This is the largest overhaul given to a vessel of her size at Auckland, the approximate cost being £10.500. The Huia ran a preliminary trial on Thursday to test her engines, which ran without a hitch, the vessel attaining a speed of 9i knots. The fitting of the oil engine on deck for cargo work and a few other details will occupy about another week, when the Huia will leave Auckland for Whangaroa to load a cargo of timber for Melbourne.. Captain H. E. Lane, who has been master of the vessel for a number of years, will be in command, with Mr. B. Hunter as engineer. , The Huia has alwavs been admired by seamen for her yacht-like appearance and sailing qualities, and when she leaves Auckland she will be one of the best i equipped vessels of her class south of the j line. _____»— —