PLANET II.

Manawatu Herald, Volume XXXI, Issue 476, 4 September 1909, Page 3

PLANET 11.

The trim-built river steamer Planet II was successfully launched yesterday alongside Messrs Levin and Co’s, wharf. Miss Signal, daughter of Mr Signal, supervising engineer for Messrs Levin and Co., performed the christening ceremony as the little vessel slid into the water. A large number of people witnessed the ceremony and a cheer went up as the. boat entered the water. The vessel is to replace the Planet which was destroyed by fire together with another river steamer while moored alongside Messrs Levin and Co’s wharf on the morning of November 9th last. The destruction of the boats was the work of an incendiary. However, the new boat is the largest of its size yet built in Foxton and was entirely constructed locally. Mr Bauckham, of Ashburst, is the builder and the iron work and fittings were supplied from Messrs Levin and Co's, workshops. The Planet is a screw steamer, her length is 50ft 6in, beam 12ft, depth 3ft Bin, moulded 4ft 6in, she draws 3ft forward and 3ft 6in aft, her engines consist of set of compound eight and six, length of stroke ten inches, diameter of cylinders, eight inches low pressure and six inches high pressure. Her speed is set down at seven knots with an average of six. Her bunkers will carry 4 tons of coal and her feeding capacity will be 2 cwt per hour. Planet 11. will be used for towing and pleasure purposes. The construction was carried out under the supervision of Mr Signal. It is probable that a similar vessel will be put on the stocks at an early date.