S.S. SOUTHLAND.

Otago Daily Times, Issue 19980, 23 December 1926, Page 8

S.S. SOUTHLAND.

LAUNCHED AT DUBLIN. (From Our Own Correspondent.) LONDON, November 3. The Dublin Dockyard Company (Messrs Vickers (Ireland) (Limited) have launched the twin screw towing and passenger vessel Southland, built to the order of the Bluff Harbour Board. This is the second vessel constructed by tho company this year for a New Zealand Harbour Board, the first vessel being tho t.s.s. Kakanui, launched in August last, to the order of the Wanganui Harbour Board, and now on her way to New Zealand. The principal dimensions of the Southland are: Length overall, 143 ft; -breadth, moulded, 50ft; depth, moulded to main dock, 12ft bin, to upper deck, 20ft. The vessel may be employed either as a tug or pilot vessel, salvage vessel, or an excursion steamer. In the latter capacity she is required to run a service from the port of Bluff to Stewart Island, a distance of 24 miles. The propelling machinery consists of a twin-screw set of Vickers-Petter heavy oil engines capable of developing 1200 shaft horse power at 260 revolutions per minute, in two six-cylinder units. The design of the engine is designated by the makers, “C” type (cold head completely water cooled), and since its introduction some 18 months ago, a large number of engines of somewhat less power have been built. , . i Following the launching ceremony, which was performed by Mrs Constable, wife of Mr R. Constable, the representative for Bluff Harbour Board, Senator James Moran (vice-chairman of the company! referred to the interest which his Excellency the Gov-ernor-General had taken in the dockyard and in the extensions which are being car ried out by the Dublin Port and Docks Board in the Alexandra Basin. He said that the day’s launch was unique in two respects. It was the first occasion in the 25 years daring which the yard had been functioning that they had been honoured with the presence of the occupant of the Vice-regal Lodge; and (2) on the slipway which had a few moments ago been vacated by the Southland, the keel would be laid immediately for a vessel for the Irish Lights Commissioners, the contract for the building of which had just been received. .. .. The Governor-General said that the fact that the Dublin Dockyard Company had been able to secure the order for this boat against world-wide competition was a tribute to the technical skill and determination of the companv TT- was satisfied that, given a chance, the country, and with it the dockyard, must flourish, and once they were on their feet they would never turn Mr Jeremiah M’Veagh, a director of the company, proposed the health of the t.t.s. Southland and the Bluff Harbour Board, and coupled with them the name of Mrs Constable, who performed the launching ceremony in such a graceful manner. UNIQUE IN MANY RESPECTS. Mr Constable paid tribute to the work and energy displayed by the dockyard, and explained they had been working against great difficulties, owing to the effect it was having, and said that the fact that they were able to launch the boat that day paid great tribute to their efforts. He also stated that the boat was unique in many respects, especially as she would hr- the largest oil-driven vessel of her type afloat. There were several orders still to be placed by New Zealand, and he would have no hesitation on his return in stating how well he was pleased with the work performed in Dublin, and would recommend the company wherever the occasion ul Mr Ridgwav, managing director stated the company had demonstrated that they were abl • to obtain orders and build yesesls in competition with any other firm. This was borne out by the fact that during the last 12 months the company had received orders from two port authorities in New Zealand and finally, an order from the New Zealand Government itself. This should be sufficient guarantee to shipowners and port authorities nearer home, to enable them to entrust their work to the company.’ . The company have -nder construction a 950 tons dead-weight cargo and passenger vessel for the New Zealand Government Pacific Island trade.