NEW SOUTHERN CROSS

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXIX, Issue 21245, 27 July 1932, Page 10

NEW SOUTHERN CROSS

LAUNCHING OF VESSEL CEREMONY AT ISLE OF WIGHT Some particulars of the launching of the Melanesian Mission's new motor-ves-sel Southern Cross, which took place on June 22, were received yesterday from England by the secretary of the mission, Mr. H. S. N. Robinson. The ceremony took place in beautiful weather at East Cowes, Isle of Wight, in the yard of the builders, J. Samuel White and Company. The ship was named by Lady Bridgman, wife of a former First Lord of the Admiralty. The following words were used : "In the name of the Holy, Blessed and Glorious Trinity I call this ship Southern Cross, and I launch her on the waters of the great deep that she may go to the other side of tho world bearing the heralds of the Gospel to the isles that wait, for its redeeming grace. Amen." A brief address was given by the Bifhop of Portsmouth, Dr. E. N. Lovctt. Among those present, were the Naval Commander-in-Chief at Portsmouth, Admiral Sir "A. K. Waistell; Dr. J. R. Harmer, formerly Bishop of Rochester; Engineer Vice-Ad-miral Sir G. Goodwin; the Archdeacon of the. Isle of Wight, the Vcn. R. McKew; and the secretary of the London committee of the Melanesian Mission, the Rev. A. E. Corner. There was a very large attendance of tho public. The new Southern Cross, the whole cost of which, £25,000, has been subscribed by English friends of the mission, is expected lo reach Auckland early in October.