BOYS, MAKE A SHIP!

Sun (Auckland), Volume 1, Issue 32, 30 April 1927, Page 9

BOYS, MAKE A SHIP!

BIG PRIZES FOR MODELS “ OLD IRONSIDES ” COMPETITION £lO FOR WINNING DESIGN First you sailed match-boxes on the channel ways. Then you carved a “dug-out” from a plank and rigged it with a handkerchief.' Now is your chance to make a model of a dashing frigate “Old Ironsides,” a photograph of which appears with this article. Ship-building and sailing are instincts of an island race and Auckland boys have the inspiration of the great placid sweep of the Waitemata —a paradise for yachtsmen. By special arrangement with Paramount Pictures, THE SUN offers two cash prizes for the best toy models of “Old Ironsides,” the old-time sailing frigate to be seen in the forthcoming Paramount picture dealing with sea battles with pirates in the Mediterranean Sea in 1795. The maker of the winning model will get £lO, and the runner-up £5.

“Old Ironsides” was the name of a sailing frigate of the period of 1795. She set out from Salem, Massachusetts, in New England, in 1803, and, manned by youths born of indomitable British stock, sailed into the Mediterranean Sea and valiantly fought the Tripolitan pirates who for years had been exacting tribute from great nations. In some cases the pirates captured seamen and held them for ransom. It was “Old Ironsides” that laid waste the forts in Tripoli, and brought the pirates to terms, to stop their seizure of ships. Wallace Beery, star of "We’re In the Navy Xow,” is featured in “Old Ironsides,” a moving picture which is one of Paramount’s attractions. THE SHIP’S MEASUREMENTS Who will build the latest “Old Ironsides.” and get the prize money without the trouble of chasing pirates? The reader may get some idea of the ship from the photograph. Models may be of any size, but it is suggested that they should not be less than these measurements: Length from end of flying jih-boom to end of spnnkerboom, 31 inches; length of load water

line, 18 inches; keel, one-eighth inch by one-quarter inch x 164 inches; depth of hull from main gun-deck to keel, 4t inches; width of main deck, centre, 44 inches. This “Old Ironsides” contest is open to boys up to 16 years old. The contest will end on June 30, when all models must be in the hands of the “Old Ironsides” Contest Editor of this newspaper. To assist the model-makers, THE SUN will publish specifications and instructions. Lads without definite ideas on the methods of ship-building should not find it very difficult to make a fine looking frigate, if they follow them. There is plenty ot scope for originality in the competition, and the judges will be on the look out for models which embody a unity of design. The closing date, June 30, is not very far off, and the boys should get their tools and materials ready immediately. Ten pounds is waiting to be collected by the designer, who is prepared to spend a few of his spare hours on what should be a pleasant task. Watch for the next article on the “Old Ironsides'* Competition, which wiil appear in THE SUN next Tuesday.