WHALE FACTORY SHIP

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume LXIII, 13 July 1929, Page 8

WHALE FACTORY SHIP

VESSEL OF 32,00(1 TONS USE.IN ANTARCTIC SICAS One of. the most novel ships,over, built was launched at Belfast, on 30th May, when Messrs Workman, Clark sent afloat the steamer Kosmos, which will lie- used as a whale oil factory ship and oil tanker. She lias been built for Norwegian owners to the order of Mr Anders' Jiihi'c, the pioneer of thq pelagic whaling industry.

The Kosmos is a vessel of about 32,000 tons displacement, is 550 ft. in length, and L. constructed on; the longitudinal system tp. the highest requirements l of Lloyd’s Register and the Norwegian Sea Control Regulations. The whaling factory itself is situated in the upper ’tween decks, which are over 15ft deep, and is equipped with the latest plant for dealing economically'with the maximum catch of whales.

The weather deck above (lie factory has been arranged elegy of obstructions to facilitate the handling of the whales and the cutting up. The vessel is fitted with numerous powerful winches capable of bundling loads up to 40 tons and in conjunction with special derricks. Tho propelling machinery lias been built by Workman, Clark (1928), Limited, and consists of quadruple engines taking steam from five cylindrical oilfired niultitubuhu' boilers working at 2501 b pressure under forced draught and with superheated steam. In the engineroom there are a number of new features designed to cope with the special trade on which the vessel will be employed in the Antarctic seas. Accommodation is provided for over 300, with special facilities for storage and, coplung provisions necessary for the long voyage, and service, and in this connection reference might be made to the enhrmous fresh water -..distilling plant. This vessel is the first of the land specially, built as a whaling factory, the existing vessels to date 'Saving been converted oil tankers, and the new firm of Messrs Workman. Clark (1928), Limited, are maintaining the traditions ot the old firm in pioneer shipbuilding, ft is expected that the Kosmos will he ready for service in two months.