THE KOMATA LAUNCHED

Otago Daily Times, Issue 23648, 4 November 1938, Page 6

THE KOMATA LAUNCHED

NEW U.S.S.C. VESSEL FOR NEW ZEALAND COASTAL TRADE (From Our Own Correspondent) (By Air Mail) LONDON, Oct. 13. The 3850-ton cargo ship, Komata, built by Alexander Stephen and Sons, Ltd., was launched on the Clyde this week. The Komata is the latest of a series of ships which the Union Steam Ship Company are having built in Scotland for the New Zealand coastal trade. The ships vary slightly in dimensions and design, some having Diesel engines and others steam, but all are alike in their complete and efficient arrangements for handling cargo and in their provision for the comfort of the officers and crew. The ship was launched by Miss Barbara Grange, daughter of Mr G. R. Grange, a director of Alexander Stephen and Sons. The vessel was in the water within two minutes after the launching party had assembled for the christening ceremony. Her dimensions are 335 ft m length by 52$ft beam by 28ft depth, with a gross tonnage of about 3850,; and she is of the Arcform type, with single deck and poop, bridge and forecastle. The derricks and gear are designed for rapid loading and discharging of cargo, and the three large cargo hatches are served by 12 steam winches and steel derricks. The Komata will be fitted with single-screw triple-expansion engines. designed to give an average speed of 12 knots at sea in all weathers,, and the engines will work on superheated steam supplied from three cylindrical boilers, fitted with Howden’s forced draught, and burning oil.