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| Keywords: ship boart steam ferry hobart tasmania blackandwhite monochrome outdoor black and white LAUNCH OF THE DERWENT. At the Domain shipyards, at 8.40 am on Saturday, the hull of Messrs. O'May Bros' steamer, which has been built from special design for the passenger service between Bellerive and Hobart, was successfully launched. Notwithstanding the early hour, several hundred people were present at the ceremony , quite a large contingent had travelled by the 7 o'clock steamer from Bellerive, in order to be there, including the Hon A. Morrisby, M L C. The Derwent is what is known as the double-end type, and will have a four - bladed propeller both fore and aft. This class of vessel is quite new to Tasmania, though we have had experience of paddle steamers that could steam with equal facility either way. Messrs O'May Bros were prompted to build a double-end screw steamer, in order that the Bellerive ferry work can be conducted with much greater despatch than is possible with a vessel that can only steam the one way. It will never be necessary for the Derwent to turn round, and, moreover, the firm has had boiler and engines of sufficient power built to enable the Derwent maintaining a half-hourly service unaided, should it at any time be necessary. That, of course, is a splendid feature about the vessel, and will prove very advantageous in dealing with heavy holiday traffic. The largest passenger vessel on the river now is the Silver Crown, built in 1893, which is certificated for 293 adults. An idea of the size of the Derwent is given by the fact that she has been designed to carry between 500 and 600. It is anticipated that the new vessel will be ready for commission in about two months' time, and she will at once enter the Bellerive ferry service. Mr George O'May, the popular skipper of the Silver Crown, is to take command, and Mr H Roberts, of the Victory, is to be placed in charge of the engine department. Mr Ernest Watson O'May, master of the Victory, will be transferred to the Silver Crown. The Endeavour, in the Lindisfarne service, will be kept as a spare boat, and the Victory is to succeed her. It is not quite decided who will be the master. The Derwent was designed by Mr Walter Reeks, naval architect, Sydney, and built by Mr T Moore, of Launceston. It is interesting to note that though many notable craft, including large square rigged vessels, have been turned out at different times at the Domain shipyards, the Derwent is the first steamer to be built there since the paddle steamer Kangaroo, which carries on the vehicular and goods traffic between Bellerive and Hobart under Messrs O'May Bros. flag, and was launched from there 51 years ago. A feature about the Derwent is the strength of her build, and the first-class workmanship. Tasmanian timbers have been utilised for all the principal work, and none but the very best have been used. The vessel will have the distinction of having greater beam than any of the passenger steamers at present on the river. The chief dimensions are -Length, 110ft, beam, 26ft 6in , and depth, 9ft. The keel was laid November last. It is not intended to give a detailed description of the Derwent just now, as that can be better done when the vessel has been finished. We merely remark that the steamer has very nice lines, and, judging from an inspection of the hull and the plans of the deck arrangements, the vessel will be very superior, and a decided acquisition to the river fleet. Every attention is to be given to the comfort of passengers, and we feel sure that they will have nothing but praise for the new steamer. As an element of safety in case of accident, the hull has been subdivided into several water tight compartments. The launching of the vessel was successfully performed. The length of the way was 160ft. As the last restraints were knocked away and the vessel commenced to move, Miss Alice O'May named the steamer Derwent amidst great cheering, the christening being done in accordance with the long-established custom of breaking a bottle of wine over the bows. The hull was decorated with laurel wreaths, and was dressed with the firm's house flags and the Commonwealth flag. Steamers of the firm in the vicinity gave seven blasts as the Derwent took the water, and the passengers on the Endeavour, which passed just after the launch, gave ringing cheers. The Derwent was towed to Bellerive to be finished. Boiler and engines will probably be put into the vessel this week. On Saturday evening, at the residence of Mr James O'May, senior partner of the firm, Messrs O'May Bros entertained the contractors and builders at dinner. W Williamson photo LAUNCH OF THE DERWENT. At the Domain shipyards, at 8.40 am on Saturday, the hull of Messrs. O'May Bros' steamer, which has been built from special design for the passenger service between Bellerive and Hobart, was successfully launched. Notwithstanding the early hour, several hundred people were present at the ceremony , quite a large contingent had travelled by the 7 o'clock steamer from Bellerive, in order to be there, including the Hon A. Morrisby, M L C. The Derwent is what is known as the double-end type, and will have a four - bladed propeller both fore and aft. This class of vessel is quite new to Tasmania, though we have had experience of paddle steamers that could steam with equal facility either way. Messrs O'May Bros were prompted to build a double-end screw steamer, in order that the Bellerive ferry work can be conducted with much greater despatch than is possible with a vessel that can only steam the one way. It will never be necessary for the Derwent to turn round, and, moreover, the firm has had boiler and engines of sufficient power built to enable the Derwent maintaining a half-hourly service unaided, should it at any time be necessary. That, of course, is a splendid feature about the vessel, and will prove very advantageous in dealing with heavy holiday traffic. The largest passenger vessel on the river now is the Silver Crown, built in 1893, which is certificated for 293 adults. An idea of the size of the Derwent is given by the fact that she has been designed to carry between 500 and 600. It is anticipated that the new vessel will be ready for commission in about two months' time, and she will at once enter the Bellerive ferry service. Mr George O'May, the popular skipper of the Silver Crown, is to take command, and Mr H Roberts, of the Victory, is to be placed in charge of the engine department. Mr Ernest Watson O'May, master of the Victory, will be transferred to the Silver Crown. The Endeavour, in the Lindisfarne service, will be kept as a spare boat, and the Victory is to succeed her. It is not quite decided who will be the master. The Derwent was designed by Mr Walter Reeks, naval architect, Sydney, and built by Mr T Moore, of Launceston. It is interesting to note that though many notable craft, including large square rigged vessels, have been turned out at different times at the Domain shipyards, the Derwent is the first steamer to be built there since the paddle steamer Kangaroo, which carries on the vehicular and goods traffic between Bellerive and Hobart under Messrs O'May Bros. flag, and was launched from there 51 years ago. A feature about the Derwent is the strength of her build, and the first-class workmanship. Tasmanian timbers have been utilised for all the principal work, and none but the very best have been used. The vessel will have the distinction of having greater beam than any of the passenger steamers at present on the river. The chief dimensions are -Length, 110ft, beam, 26ft 6in , and depth, 9ft. The keel was laid November last. It is not intended to give a detailed description of the Derwent just now, as that can be better done when the vessel has been finished. We merely remark that the steamer has very nice lines, and, judging from an inspection of the hull and the plans of the deck arrangements, the vessel will be very superior, and a decided acquisition to the river fleet. Every attention is to be given to the comfort of passengers, and we feel sure that they will have nothing but praise for the new steamer. As an element of safety in case of accident, the hull has been subdivided into several water tight compartments. The launching of the vessel was successfully performed. The length of the way was 160ft. As the last restraints were knocked away and the vessel commenced to move, Miss Alice O'May named the steamer Derwent amidst great cheering, the christening being done in accordance with the long-established custom of breaking a bottle of wine over the bows. The hull was decorated with laurel wreaths, and was dressed with the firm's house flags and the Commonwealth flag. Steamers of the firm in the vicinity gave seven blasts as the Derwent took the water, and the passengers on the Endeavour, which passed just after the launch, gave ringing cheers. The Derwent was towed to Bellerive to be finished. Boiler and engines will probably be put into the vessel this week. On Saturday evening, at the residence of Mr James O'May, senior partner of the firm, Messrs O'May Bros entertained the contractors and builders at dinner. W Williamson photo | ||||
