NEW EXCURSION BOAT.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXII, Issue 19177, 17 November 1925, Page 7

NEW EXCURSION BOAT.

the rangitoto refitted. The small three-decked steamer Rangitoto, of 300 tons, which a year ago next month completed a voyage of 13,000 miles from London to Auckland without mis hap, will be an addition to the fleet of excursion vessels during the coming summer. The Rangitoto is at present undergoing extensive refitting at, Nelson Street "Wharf, and should be ready for service within a few weeks, after lying idle since her arrival. Former]v known as the Ant, the vessel was originally built for the passenger trade on the Amazon River and she should prove very suitable for excursion work. She was built at the commencement of the war-, but was taken over by the Admiralty and was used at Portsmouth to ferry the rnen-of-warsmen between the shore and their ships. In 1924 she was purchased by Mr. G. Niccol, of Auckland, and on September 11 left Southampton for this port, arriving on Dr comber 10. . The lower deck, which was previously covered in, has been opened by the re moval of the iron plates, so that the three decks are now open and provide more than the ordinary amount of space. The ehartroom and captain's cabin, both excellently appointed, are on the boat deck and directly underneath on the uppet deck are the wheel-house and steering gear. Extensive living quarters for the crew are provided in the fore part of the main deck. In addition to deck seating arrangements the interior will be comfortably fitted and n number of the fittings from the old Talune have been used. The vessel is 164 ft. long, with a 35ft. beam and 7ft. 6in. loaded draft. She is fitted with electric light and steam steering gear.