MODERN OCEAN-GOING TRAWLER FOR DUNEDIN

Otago Daily Times, Issue 26343, 24 December 1946, Page 6

MODERN OCEAN-GOING TRAWLER FOR DUNEDIN

Equipped with every modern device for deep-sea fishing, and reputed to be the most modern trawler in the Southern Hemisphere, the National Mortgage and Agency Company s new vessel Taiaroa is expected to arrive at Dunedin to-day or to-morrow. Originally ! built as a minesweeper, work was started on the Taiaroa near the end of the war, but she was not completed. _ Early this year she was purchased from the War Assets Realisation Board, and after eight months in being completed to the company’s specifications, she has emerged from her trial runs. In the accompanying picture the Taiaroa is seen as she left Auckland on her maiden voyage to Dunedin. When her building was begun at the yards of Mason Bros.’ Engineering Company in Auckland for the Government, the vessel was named Waikato, but as she is now destined to operate in South waters, the company has named the vessel after Taiaroa, Head Built originally as a coalburner, the Taiaroa has been redesigned to consume oil, and has a range of 3500 miles. Her gross tonnage is 275, and she is equipped with a freezer. There is space to carry about 80 tons of fish. Every amenity is offering for the Taiaroa’s crew of 10, and her up-to-date features include a radio telephone. Apart from operations on the east coast, the company_ intends developing hitherto untouched grounds on the west coast. The trawler’s master is Captain John Black, and Mr E. Sunde land is the engineer. She is registered at Dunedin. The Taiaroa will enter regular service in January.