LONG LAUNCH TRIP.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXIX, Issue 21239, 20 July 1932, Page 10

LONG LAUNCH TRIP.

AUCKLAND TO ADELAIDE., FATHER AND HIS SONS. VOYAGE IN" CRUISER BETH. Preparations are being made to equip the well-known Northcote cruiser launch Beth for a trip from Auckland to Adelaide. It is the intention of , the owner, Mr. T. H. Webb, of Northcote, and his two sons, Messrs. Reginald and Sidney Webb, to set out on the long ocean journey some time in September. Mr Webb, who is interested in the grain trade in South Australia, arrived in Auckland with his family early last year and decided to settle at Northcote. Their ten-ton launch, in which the whole family had made many cruises along the south coast of Australia, was shipped to Auckland and has since been inregular commission here. For business reasons Mr. Webb now finds it necessary to return to South Australia, and he has decided to make the journey in his own sturdy vessel. Mrs. Webb and the two younger children who are at school will leave for Australia at the end of the year. A Good Sea Boat. The Beth is a stoutly-built cruiser of the raised deck type and has proved her-self-a good sea boat in all sorts of conditions. She has an overall length of 40ft. 6in., a beam of 10ft. and a draught of 4ft. 6in. She is ketch rigged and has a shallow fin which enables her to perform well under sail. For this long voyage it is proposed to deepen the fin by about a foot, increasing the outside lead ballast 'from 26cwt. to about 42cwt. It is also intended to fit a new rudder. The Beth was hauled up on the Harbour Board's slip at Beaumont Street yesterday to enable these alterations to be made.

The vessel has a spacious main saloon with four bunks. The engine room is abaft the main cabin and houses a 36 h.p. Ailsa Craig six-cylinder engine, fitted with double ignition and reduction gear. Right aft is the owner's cabin with two berths, while forward is the wellappointed galley and a berth for the cook. The Beth will carry a long-range wireless transmitting set. Course to be Followed.

Mr. Webb stated yesterday that he did not consider the trip from New Zealand to Australia a very trying or venturesome one with a launch like the Beth. He expected, however, that he would have to face some rough weather after he rounded Cape Howe for the 700 or 800 miles 'trip 'along the south coast of Victoria and until he reached the shelter of Kangaroo Island in South Australian waters. He proposes to leave as early as possible in September and will not try to make fast time. It is probable he will call at Norfolk Island and Lord Howe Island. •

An ample supply of provisions is to be carried, and in addition there will be about two tons of water and petrol on board. Extra water and fuel tanks are to be fitted.

Mr. R. Webb is the holder of a yacht master's ticket, while his father is a competent navigator.. Mr. T. H. Webb has been a keen yachtsman for over 36 years and is a member of the Royal South Australian Yacht Club. It is expected the Beth 'will carry a crew of five when she leaves, the others being a cook and an extra deck hand.