LAUNCH OF THE GOLDEN CROWN.

Grey River Argus, Volume IX, Issue 724, 8 September 1870, Page 2

LAUNCH OF THE GOLDEN CROWN.

On Satnrday last, despite of the very threatening state of the weather, about 500 persons assembled at the shipbuilding yards of Messrs Duthie and Ross, Sinaile's Point, to .witness the very interesting event of launching the new steamer, which for the past nine months these well-known shipbuilders have been engaged in building. The keel of this steamer was laid on October 26, 1869, and from that time (with the exception of the last month or two, when owing to the unfavourable weather the work has been somewhat retarded), the building of the vessel has been steadily carried on under the personal superintendence of Mr Dnthie and Mr Ross. The vessel is the largest steamer yet built in New Zealand, and we feel confident will also prove one of the fastest. , She has an excellent entrance and a good run, her lines being exceedingly fine. She has apparently been very faithfully built, every piece of timber in her having been cut over three years ago, and being therefore well seasoned. The frame is of pohutukawa, and the planks of the heart of kiauri,- each of which is from 40ft to 83ft long. The planks are double-fastened by copper-bolts, and trenailed. She is also strengthened by, iron bars running diagonally in her frame-timbe,rs, and also over her lining. Her dimensions are as follows : — Length of keel, 197 ft; length over all, 210 f t; beam 22ft 6in ; depth of ..hpld, 7ft; the amount of wood, used in her building being about 300 ion's. Her engines are from the celebrated foundry of J. Thomson and Son, Glasgow. They are of 147-horse power nominal. She will be supplied with four boilers, and every modern improvement has been, supplied to this department. Shortly after twelve o'clock, everything being ready, Miss Frederica £. Farmer stepped on to a platform prepared; for her ; and, as the noble vessel glided into the water, the little lady in a clear voice said, "Good luck to the Golden Crown," and the assembled crowd gave her three hearty cheers, The faaach was a complete, success,- nothing interrupting the vessel's progress from the' moment she began to move down the ways until she floated at anchor off the wharf. The saloon of the vessel will be 65ft long, by 18ft beam, and is to be of kauri, picked with white and gold,: and will be fitted with every comfort. Above this is the hurricane deck, which will run the whole length of the saloon, and will therefore afford a fine promenade for passengers. The ladies' cabin will be 24ft. by 16ft. She will also .have a smoking saloon, 45ft long by the breadtb

of the vessel. This apartment will be fitted ■with bunks for sleeping. Her cabin forward will be 60ft long by 20ft. The Golden Crown will be taken alongside the ship Argyleslure to re3eive her machinery, it having been brought ont from Glasgow in that vessel. The steamer is expected to be ready in two months, and we shall look forward to her trial trip with no small amount of interest. The speed of the vessel is expected by her builders to be over 15 knots. The total value of the Golden Crown has been estimated at from sixteen to eighteen thousand pounds. She is the property of the Golden Crown Steam Navigation Company, who must, we feel confident, be well satisfied with the excellent workmanship of Messrs Dnthie and Ross in the building of the steamer, which is a credit to them and to New Zealand.—Southern Cross, Aug. 22.