A LAUNCHING

Hauraki Plains Gazette, Volume XXXVI, Issue 4828, 11 May 1925, Page 3

A LAUNCHING

CEREMONY AT KEREPEEHI.

DEPARTMENTAL PONTOON

There is always a charm about the launching of a new ship, be it a sumptuous pleasure-craft or only e flat-bottomed pontoon. There is the thrill of expectancy as the big ungainly mass glides slowly down the greased ways; the exciting moment when with increasing momentum she makes the plunge into the water, and the feeling -of satisfaction as she comes to rest after the boisterous welcome of the waves and floats proudly in her new home a thing of beauty, symbolic of man's mastery over the waters. ,

A launching marks a more definite stage;, in the process of transforming rude material into - a finished object than is possible in the construction of ant' other work, and to the designer-' and builders of the new ship she re presents work which, if well and truly done, wiH live- as a monument to them.

Thus it was that the small group of spectators who washed the launching at Kerepeehi on Saturday of a big pontoon did so with mixed feelings To the general public such a small occurrence as the launching of a punt held no attraction, and the group comprised only the builders, designers, and representatives of the owners.

This vessel, however, was out ui the ordinary, and not the usual boxlike pontoon. Sixty-five feet long, twenty-one feet wide, and five feet one inch from deck to keel, it drew 18 incnes, despite its 43 tons weight. Designed by Mr 1. D. Jones, of Kerepeehi, it was built by Mr J. C. Taylor, of Northcote. for the ' Lands Drainage Department, and will be used primarily for the transportation of land dredges and for general utility purposes, including the transportation of nietal when not otherwise engaged. '

The Lands Department’s land dredges weigh at least 40 tons, and in the past a special pontoon has had _■<, be borrowed and brought from a distance when it was necessary to remove a dredge over a rive;- or canal. The new pontoon has been so constructed that a dredge can proceed on board at one end under its own power The metal-carrying capacity will be weli over 106 cubic yards.

Speaking of the builder at a function after the launching Mr 1. D. Jones, the designer, said that Mr J. C. Taylor was one of that small class of contractors who always fulfilled the specifications to the letter, and who, in the case of an omission or possible improvement, pointed the matter out and did the additional work necessary without any revision of the contract Some .very' valuable improvements had been carried out at the buildcr’tsuggestion, and also at. his expense. Mr Jones said that he had paid regular visits of inspection, but had felt that the job was safe in Mr Taylor’s hands, as he was a builder of 50 years’ experience, having learned his trade from a man who was an apprentice at the building of the Great Eastern. He -was a man who took a pride in his work, aud worked for the love of doing well rather than for the monetary reward.

Tn. replying to . the toast Mr J. C. Taylor said that if Mr Jones cve ; r had another vessel to design he hoped he would have the building of it. He had hau 50 years of experience, having befen apprenticed in 1875 to John Darrucii. and Sons, ,of Maurangi Heads. During his seven years', apprenticeship he had assisted in the building of such well-known brigantines as the Maud. Graham, Ada C. Owen, Linda Webber. Borealis, and the barquentine Aranda Isle. In the latter vessel iie bad cut every- stick of its frame. His wages at the beginning of his apprenticeship was 3s a week and found, his father having to find all “cloth, woollen arid linen.” and at the end of his apprenticeship his wages were 10s a week.

Mr Taylor referred to present-day apprenticeships of “about seven months." at the end of which term a boy “hadn’t even learned bow many bevels there were in a ship.” He had travelled all round the world, and had built ships, cutters, and steamers. but had never found such fine people as these of New Zealand. He had built the well-known Inland steamer Adi Neva, which was launched 23 years ago, and which had caused so much discussion among shipping men on account of it being a steamed timber boat, .the opinion being, prior to then, that this method was of no use for vessels of that size. He had picked each stick of timber and had cut it to his own liking. Led to discuss timber. Mr Taylor said that the timber used in the pontoon was the best obtainable, and it was a pleasure to work on it; but • - was a shame to see such timber used for the purpose. The time was fast approaching when this class of kauri would, be unprocurable, and men would ask what had become Of AThe only reply could be that it had been wasted.