A NEW TUG FOR GISBORNE.

Gisborne Times, Volume XXX, Issue 3597, 9 August 1912, Page 5

A NEW TUG FOR GISBORNE.

SHEEPFARMERS’ COMPANY’S

ENTERPRISE

INQUIRIES TO BE MADE IN ENGLAND.

The Gislmrne Sheepfarmers' Frozen Meat Company, Ltd., intends purchasing a new tug and with that object :in view Captain Sewell will proceed Homo on Saturday.

The tug is to he up-to-date in every respect- unci quite capable of dealing with the vessels coming to the port. •Speaking to a ’‘Times’’ representative Mr 0. A. deLaiitour, chairman of the Gisborne Sheepfarmers’ Frozen Meat Co., said that- the Company had Found that it required to go in for a new and up-to-date tug owing to the advance of the port. The trouble with the present towing plant was one of old age, two of their craft having been in service a good number of years and the third being by no means new. The proposed vessel would not be a verv large craft- as the limits of theriverhad”to he studied. With the advance' of the port the amount- of lightering might decrease on account of'the fact "that a gradually increasing number of vessels would in time bo able to come up to the wharf. On the other hand the fact that more vessels would necessitate a good deal more tug work being requisite. The chief object in getting the new tmr was that it was felt that the company should have a. vessel winen could handle the heavier boats that were likelv to come to the wharf in the future as tin* channel became deeper, than the Tvaro-ro could cope witn. especially under unfavorable conditions. Wlmt "was wanted was a smart tug which, whilst being sufficiently powerful would not be too large to prevent it getting round corners quickly. As to the exact dimensions of the vessel that would he procured, Mr deLautour was not in a position to state, but it would not be larger than the It is expected that’ the new tug will reach Gisborne in January or February next.