NEW TOURIST LAUNCH

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXIX, Issue 21345, 21 November 1932, Page 11

NEW TOURIST LAUNCH

SUCCESSFUL TRIALS

VESSEL BUILT AT AUCKLAND

SAILING FOR PICTON TO-DAY

During the week-end the new tourist launch Tinopai, which lias been built at Auckland for Captain M. Steele, of Picton, underwent her trials, the vessel carrying out a cruise in the Hauraki Gulf yesterday. The Tinopai will sail this afternoon or evening for Picton, Captain Steele and six or more other members of a party forming the crew. The Tinopai, which is 45ft. long, and has a beam of 12ft. and a draught of 3ft. 6in., is intended for passenger and tourist services in the Marlborough Sounds. There is sleeping accommodation for 14 persons, while the launch will carry about 80 people on day excursions. She is powered with a six-cylinder Diesel engine, which gave a speed on the trials of 10 knots. Electric lighting is provided throughout, while a special short-wave transmitting and receiving wireless set has been fitted.

At high water on Saturday morning the Tinopai was launched from the yard of the builders, Messrs Collings and Bell, at St. Mary's Bay, the christening ceremony being performed by Mrs. >3cott Ramsay. In the afternoon a preliminary trial on the harbour was made and yesterday Captain Steele took a party of 20 persons for a cruise in the gulf. The launch returned to thoi builders' yard last evening and to-day the final fitting work will be completed. A mast will be stepped and a flagpole and further seats fitted, while stores and fuel will be taken on board.

It is Captain Steele's intention to leave for Picton as soon as the vessel is ready, and he expects to sail this afternoon or evening. In addition to the owner the crew will comprise Captain A. Pyper, formerly of the Union Steam Ship Company; Mr. P. J. Cotton, Mr. R. J. Haycroft, Mr. Roy Haycroft, Mr. R. Beach, who will act as wireless operator, and Mr. Jack Steele. Messrs. R. J. and R. Haycroft are visitors from Albury, Australia, who have been making a tour of New Zealand and have been invited by Captain Steele to make the cruise. It is possible that others may also join the party. The voyage to Picton will bo made down the east coast, as it provides better shelter in case of bad weather than the west coast. Calls will be made at Tauranga, Gisborne, Napier and Wellington. Between ports the launch will be in constant communication with friends, as in addition to receiving from all stations, the radio equipment will be capable of sending messages in Morse over moderate distances.