New Ships For Wphc
p. 16 · Read in the full issue
THE motor vessel “Margaret” arrived in Suva recently from Auckland. She is the first of five similar ships which have been ordered by the Western Pacific High Commission for service in the Gilbert and Ellice Islands Colony and the Solomon Islands. The remaining four, “Mary,” “Maureen,” “Myrtle” and “Mar gery,” are expected in the near future.
The vessels were built by Chas. Bailey & Son, Ltd., Auckland, who designed the hull along the lines of the English herring drifters. They are each 60 feet long, with a 16 feet beam, and a draught when loaded of 9 feet. They are able to carry 35 tons of cargo and have a speed of 9 knots, Caledonian, Maurice Meunier, has re ceived a citation and the Croix de Guerre with star, for his work among the wounded under heavy mortar fire. He went out into no-man’s-land and brought back a non-commissioned officer who had been reported missing. Jean Brial. son of Monsieur Brial, of Noumea, has also won the Croix de Guerre for bravery in action.