PROSPECTIVE SHIPBUILDING.

Otago Witness, Issue 2934, 8 June 1910, Page 82

PROSPECTIVE SHIPBUILDING.

A Dailj Times reporter was on the 3rd ! able to see the plane prepared for the j Government by Mr H. M'Rae, M.I.E. , of I a new twin-screw steamer for the Lake [ Wakatipu ferry service, and also the plans ! of the new steamer drawn by him at the request of the .Clutha River Board for the river service of that body. The dimensions provided for in the Lake Wakatipu steamer are: Length, 160 ft; beam, 24ft; and depth, 9ft. Her draught is to be 6ft 6in, which will be sufficient to enable her to visit the Head of the Lake, where, contrary to current belief, shoals ! are to be met with consequent upon the ' continual silting-up in progress. Two promenade fore-and-aft decks are provided for. The dining saloon below the mam deck is commodious, and will seat about 50 people This is the first class saloon, and forward there will be .another for second class passengers. A ladies' cabin is also provided aft The total carrying capacity oi trie vessel will be about 1300 people; but, in addition to passenger traffic, provision '.S made for handling cargo, of which she can take about 40 tons A winch is fitted to allow of this being done. The machinery comprises two locomotive boilers and tripleexpansion engines, and the .speed developed is 15 knots, which will enable the run between Kingston and Queenstown to be made in about an hour and a-half. lhe vessel is to be fitted -throughout with electric light, and electric fans are, also provided for. To provide for misadventure, tank seats are planned These contain copper tanks, which will float, and each seat will then support 25 people. In addition two lifeboats and abundant lifebelts are allowed for. The crew's quarters are planned on a liberal scale, and should prove much mere comfortable than those on either of the present boats. The fittings throughout are modelled on the most approved style for a vessal of this type, lenders are to be called for her construction and the Minister has promised that it local offers compare favourably with the Home tenders the work of construction will be locally done. " _^. The plans for the Molyneux Riyer steamer, which may also be built locally, provide for a vessel of the same length (119 ft) as the steamer already in use on the river. The proposed steamer has, however, a beam of "26ft, which is Ift less than that of the present steamer. She is to draw 2ft 6in when loadsd, and has a carrying capacitv of about 60 tons, or a trifle less than the older vessel. In passenger accommodation she is, however, to be better equipped, the saloon being about 13ft by 10ft, as against the other vessel's much smaller compartment. As regards hull construction, an improvement suggested is that of a straight stem as against the old spoon stem. The advantage of this is that drifting branches in flood time will not ffo under the boat. and. coming out at the stern, damage the paddle-wheels, but will be cast clear. The wheels also will show an improvement, the intention being to provide them with a feathering float, as against the old radial float. The new device enables the. wheel to strike the water on an edge instead of flat, and gives an extra efficiencv of from 5 to 10 per cent. The speed to be developed is 11-12 knots in still water. This will mean an increase of about one-third of the speed of the old boat (eight knots in still water) asrainst the four-knot current of the riveT. The engines are to be 220 horse-power, as against 160 horse-pewer. and the estimated cost figured upon by Mr M'Rae is from £6300 to £6400. The Clutha River Board held a meeting in Dunedin on the 3rd inst. to consider the plans presented by Mr M'Rae. There were present Messrs J. M. Beger (chairman), -T. R. Mitchell, D. T. Fleming, J. C. Anderson, and J. E. Keenan. The secretary (Mr J. E. Stewart) and Captain Butler (of the steamer Clyde) were also present, as well as Mr M'Rae, who had inspected the river with members of tho board a fortnight since, and consulted with them and Captain Butler in regard to the requirements of the vessel. As a result of this he had prepared the draft plans for the consideration of the board. The board went into committee to consider the plans, and! after a two-hour discussion practically adopted them as above, with some slight in the details of the cabin accommodation. On resuming in open board it was decided, on the motion of Mr Anderson, seconded by the chairman, to instruct Mr M'Rae to prepare plans and specifications for a new boat, he to advise the secretary when they would be complete, so that he (the secretary) might then' call a meetinff of tb& board with a view fo havinn- tenders clled for the construction of the boat.