Sydney Morning Herald (NSW : 1842 - 1954), Saturday 10 January 1903, page 9


NEW STEAMERS FOR THE

NORTH COAST S.N. CO.

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LAUNCHING THE MYEE.

The ceremony of launching a new steel twin-screw steamship for the North Coast Steam Navigation Com-pany, Limited, was successfully performed yesterday after- noon at Rowntree's Dock, Balmain. The visitors from the city were conveyed to the dock by a special launch, which left the company's wharf shortly after 4 p.m., among those present being Mr. Samuel See (Mayor of Grafton), Alderman Maxted and Alderman Crispin (both of Grafton), Mr. Smart (superintending engineer of the Union S.S. Company of New Zealand), Captain Cromarty, Mr. R. A. Bell (general manager of the North Coast Com-pany), Mr. A. Allen (secretary of the company), Mr. L. R. Mitchell, Mr. H. Brothwood, Mr. McAllister (superin-

tending engineer of the North Coast S. N. Company), Mr.

Scott (foreman of the North Coast Company's works, Mrs. Bell, Mrs. Allen, Misses Bell (2), Miss Allen, Miss McAllister, and others. The new steamer took the water very gracefully, and as she left the ways she was chris-tened the "Myee" by Miss Mona Bell, the little daughter of the company's general manager. The launch proved highly successful, and the lines of the Myee were much admired.

On the return journey to the city light refreshments were provided, and a few informal toasts were honoured. Mr. R. A. Bell proposed "Success to the Myee," which was acknowledged by Mr. McAllister, who superintended the construction of the vessel at home, and by Mr. Scott, who supervised the work of re-building the steamer here. Several other toasts were honoured, and the city was reached shortly before 6 o'clock.

The Myee was built by Messrs. Bow and McLachlan, of Paisley, who shipped the vessel in sections for re-erection at Sydney. The principal dimensions of the new steamer are:—Length, 100ft; breadth, 20ft,; and depth 7ft. Accommodation will be provided for 16 passengers in the poop. The forward hold is a capacious one, and has a large hatch 16ft. long in order to suit the local trade in

hardwood.

The propelling machinery has been supplied by the builders of the hull. The diameters of the cylinders are 8¼in. and 17in., and one surface condenser has been pro- vided for both engines. The boiler, which measures 8ft. by 9ft., has been tested for a working pressure of 120lbs. to the square inch. It is expected that the Myee will maintain a speed of seven knots at sea.

The new steamer has been specially designed and built to negotiate the shallow bars of the lower northern rivers, and it is anticipated that she will carry 100 tons deadweight on a draught of about 5ft. She will probably trade to the Hastings and other shallow rivers, and will be engaged prin-cipally in the produce and timber trades. Her engines will

be fitted at once, and it is expected that she will be in

commission within a month.

Another new twin-screw steamer, of larger dimensions, for the same company, is now in course of construction at the yards of Messrs. Foster and Minty, at Balmain, which, which clearly demonstrates the progressive spirit of the company, and its evident desire to cater to the fullest extent for the

various trades in the northern rivers. This vessel will be launched at an early date, and will, it is estimated, carry 160 or 170 tons deadweight on a draught of 6ft. 6in.

With these two new steamers the fleet of the North Coast Steam Navigation Company, Limited, will be in-

creased to a total of 17 vessels.