VESSELS EXPECTED.

Auckland Star, Volume IV, Issue 1201, 28 November 1873, Page 2

VESSELS EXPECTED.

"VVentworth, s.s., from Sydney Eyno, schooner, from Lyttelton. Sailod Sept. 27 Hindostan. ship, from London. Sailed September 2ft Naworth, barque, from Liverpool. Sailed August 10 J<tiTinic Hare, schooler, from Dunedin ; sailed Nov 6 Belle lirandon, schooner, from Napier ; sailed 15

A Locally-built Iron Yacii t. —A'novelty will be introduced in the large yacht race at our next annual regalta in the form of an iron yacht locally built. The Avork is proceeding at Mr Hawkeswood's Staffordshire Iron Works, and the vessel will be the property of a number of the workmpnemployedin that shop. The framework has already been finished, and the plates are being rivited, although the work hag been delayed owing to the difficulty in procuring suitable material. The yacht is 33 feet keel, 0 feeb beam, and 0 fectdepth of hold. Her plates are 3-16ths and £th inch. She will be very strong, and her builders hope she will givo a good account of herself in aailinj/. This venture in yacht-building will be watched with great interest.

The s.s. Bella, built to the order of Mr Pearcey, by Messrs Sims and Brown, started on her journey to Napier yesterday. She left the Gore-street jetty shortly after one o'clock with Mr Brown, one of the builders, and Mr Hawkswood, who constructed the engines, on board. Before taking her final departure it was .determined to steam round the harbour for the purpose of testing speed, and the vessel proceeded up towards the Watchman. She then started to run the measured mile with wind and tide in her favour. The engines worked splendidly, and there was no priming. The mile was completed in aboilt sevenminutes, under from4s to 55 pounds pressure of steam. It is confidently believed that the vessel will work up to ten milea an hojiri The engines are 12 horse power nominal, 18 horse actual, 11 inch stroke, and 11 inch cylinder ; the screw is 3ft. 6 inches. An ejector has been fitted to blow the water out, and will be found very serviceable. The dimensions of the hull are : Length GOft. overall; beam, lift. ; hold sft. 4in. ; keel, 54ft. She is 12A tons register, or 30 tons builders' measurement. The vessel was built and fitted with machinery all ready for sea in eight weeks and two days from the day of signing the contract, everything' about her "being of Auckland workmanship. She has been wel> and faithfully built, and her machinery has been finished by Mr Hawkeswood of the Staffordshire Iron Works, Hobsou street, according to designs furnished by the owner, in a thoroughly workmanlike manner. The Bella is intended for towing and lightering vessels at Napier harbour, conveying passengers ashore, etc. She is well suited in every way for this trade. It is estimated that eighty bales of pressed wool can bo stowed in her. We.are not at liberty to disclost? the price of the Bella, but we may state that it is so low as to surprise all who have examined her substantial workmanship, and furnishes a proof of the great facilities afforded at the building yards and engineers' shops of this city for constructing steamers adapted to supply the trade of the rivors and harbours of New Zealand.- After steaming to the North Shore wharf, the Bella returned to town for the purpose of having a small pipe fixed. She will take her final departure for Napier to-night, and will without doubt prove a great acquisition to that port, and a source of profit to her owner