Fiji Builds Its Own Vessel
p. 44 · Read in the full issue
From Our Own Correspondent
Suva, Nov. 10.
ANEW vessel is under construction at the Government Boatsheds, at Walu Bay, to replace the old Government ves sel, “Derek”, which had been engaged in duties in the Group for many years, un til she was eventually lost on the island of Komo.
The new vessel, which should be launched early in December, and com missioned in February, will take up the work of visiting lighthouses, and repair ing buoys and beacons, besides transport ing Government cargo to various parts of the Group—including regular visits to the leper station at Makogai.
She will be 93 ft. long, beam 23 ft., depth 10 ft., with a draught of 8 ft. 6 in.
She will be powered by twin Gardner en gines, giving her a speed of 94 knots.
Mr. J, E. Palmer, who has been in Papua for 18 months as geophysicist with Island Explorations Ltd., seeking oil, spent a short holiday in Victoria at the end of November. He sailed from Syd ney for the United States early in December.