SHIPPING.

Manawatu Herald, Volume L, Issue 3980, 6 August 1929, Page 2

SHIPPING.

PORTLAND TO .SAIL FOR NELSON.

The o.v. Portland, which has been moored to the local wharf for a considerable time past, has recently been undergoing an overhaul and yesterday was manned by a crew of three who are to take the vessel to Nelson. The vessel is due to sail to-day. It is understood that the Portland is about to change hands and that the vessel is to go into dock at Nelson prior to the deal being settled. The s.s. Himatangi left Wanganui for Foxton last evening with 125 tons of general cargo and arrived in port this morning. After discharging the vessel will load for the South. The s.s. Miimntangi is to be equipped with powerful flood lights at ar. early date to enable it to work the port more successfully and expeditiously at night. SCHOONER, “FOXTON” LAUNCHED. The 'new auxiliary schooner “Foxton” was launched firom Mr. O. Niccol's yard, Freeman's Bay, Auckland, last Friday afternoon. The vessel has been built for the Canterbury Steam Shipping Company, and )t will he employed in the trade between South Island ports, Wellington and Foxton. The launching occupied about, th/reequaiders of an hour, the cold weather having hardened the grease on the slipway. The timber to which the winch cable ivas attached 'broke and caused some delay in coaxing the vessel into a smooth slide. Once over the first few feet, the vessel slipped smoothly into the water. She was towed to the (Central Wharf for the stepping of the masts, and should be ready for sea hi about a fortnight.

The Foxton is about lHTfeet in length, and she has a 28 feet beam and a capacity of 325 tons, with a draught of 7ft, Gin, Twin Fair-banks-More Diesel engines of 100 nominal horse-pouter each are fitted. There are two (FairbanksMorse oil-driven cargo winches, and electric light is installed, with special provsion for cargo operations at might. A speed of about nine knots is expected. Mr. 11. Osborne, is the company’s local agent.