SHIP BUILDING IN AUCKLAND

Samoa Times and South Sea Gazette, Volume 3, Issue 161, 28 August 1880, Page 2

SHIP BUILDING IN AUCKLAND

Auckland lias always enjoyed tho reputation of being the" premier shipbuilding port of this colony, ami throughout the Australian Colonies and islands of the Pacific, those competent to judge in matters can always recognise Auckland built vessels by the symmetry and neatness which characterise them. Wo believe the builders of Auckland will all readily concede to Mr. Honrv Niccol the title of " Father of Shipbuilding '" in Auckland, ho having b«en ongaged in the trade since IHI2, niid tho majority of other builders have cither learned their trade with him, or have, at some time, beonemployed by him, find tc>him therefore principally belongs tho credit of establishing Auckland's reputation for the production of fast Railing vessels, possessing nt the samo time tlie equally important qualities of being strong and" substantial, excellent nea boat*, and good carriers. The old Moa brig, built by Mr. Niccol in 181!), can be pointed to ns exemplifying tho truth of this, and old as she it, it takes a smart vetrol to get tho weather gauge of her in a breeze even now. About 1(# or Id years ago, the advent in Sydney water*of the scTiuonontPacilic, Atlantic, Eclimo, nml ilewifl Kelly, built by .Mr. N'iccol t>> theo.tderof a gentleman ill llml i-lly, put lb- builders then.on their mettle, and many nttenipls were made to ouutiip lUwe vcittlo, itiut without ciio-

I cess. Of latej^m^Mr.Nioeol, senior has only occasionally drafted any gf the vessels built in the yard of the firm, hay. I ing been succeded iu this by his ' sous I but it is evident that his eye and li QU ,j I have not last their cunning, as his l ast | production, the Motu Lalo, abundantly I testilios. This schooner yacht, which 'was was launched from Mr. NiecoP.s yard last week, has been the admiration, or all since she came alongside the wharf and we have no doubt will uphold the' reputation of the builder among the inlands of tile Pacific, aiid we trust may bring him further orders, The Motu Lalo is built to the order of a chief of the Island of Vavau, one of the Friendly Group. Her dimensions are as fellows: Length of keel ?>2 feet, length overall,, 60 feet, breadth of beam, I*s feet 9 inches, depth of hold, 2 feet fi inches. She measures 34 tens register and will cany a considerable quantity of cargo. She has a very neatly-fltted and commodious cabin, which bai been tastefully grained and varnished. The vessel is rigged as a fore-and-aft schooner, and the neatness of the spars and ii<». ging is in keeping with hor yaelil-likn hull. A gilt moulding and some welldesigned carving add to the appearance of the litlli) vessel, and on deck we noticed a brass cap over the rudder-head, on which is engraved the name of the vessel and the address of the builder. Taken altogether wo have never had occasion \i, notice a better finished or more gracefullooking craft, ami we feel convinced she will give overy satisfaction to her owner. The Motu Lalo is expected to sail forth.: Friendly Islands to-dav under command of Captain J. iffcller.—Auckland Weekly News, Uth July.