NEW VEHICULAR FERRY.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXIII, Issue 19417, 27 August 1926, Page 12

NEW VEHICULAR FERRY.

1 '•—•; A SUCCESSFUL LAUNCHING. CROSS-HARBOUR TRANSPORT. There was nothing spectacular about the launching of the Devonport Perry Company's new vehicular ferry, the Eaglehawk, from the yards of Mr. G. Niccol yesterday morning. It was announced that the launching would take place at 9 a.m., but the chocks were knocked away shortly before a quarter to nine and the vessel took the water without any hitch. Many people who had intended to see the launching were disappointed as no public intimation had been given of the alteration in the time of the ceremony. The Eaglehawk was christened by Miss Molly Alison, daughter of Mr. A, E. Alison, manager of the ferry company. The new vessel is similar in design to the Mollyhawk, but slightly larger, and will have space on her deck for the accommodation of 40 motor-cars. She is a composite vessel with steel bulb-angle frames covered with 3in.. kauri planking. Hie boiler was placed in the frames before the hull was planked up and her enginas were already in place when the vessel left the ways yesterday morning so that she is practically ready .'to go into commission. Her main dimensions are: Length, 133 ft.; beam, 33ft.; depth, 10ft. Sin. ; draught, 7ft. 6in.' The engines, which are of the triple expansion marine type, and are of approximately 300 horse-power, were built by Messrs. Cambell and Calderwood at Paisley, Scotland. Tho* Eaglehawk will be used in the vehicular service, conveying motor-cars and other vehicles across the harbour. Tho steadily improving roads m the North Shore are attracting motosists in ever-in-creasing numbers and the' new vessel has been built to assist the other vehicular steamers of the fleet, in catering for this traffic. There are still a number of small jobs to bo done on board and when these are completed, about a week hence, the trial trip will be run.