THE HERONSPOOL
LAUNCH FROM GRAY’S CENTRAL SHIPYARD
Northern Daily Mail. 27/3/29
Messrs. William Gray and Co., Ltd., yesterday launched from their Central Shipyard the handsome steel screw steamer Heronspool, which is being built to the order of the Pool Shipping Co., Ltd., West Hartlepool.
The vessel which will take the highest class in Lloyd’s Register, is of the following dimensions: Length overall 434ft. 4in.; breadth, 54ft. 3in., depth moulded to upper deck, 30ft. 1 in.; with long bridge, poop, and forecastle.
Constructed on the cellular double bottom principle, with fore and aft peaks, for water ballast, the framing being of the deep channel type, she has seven watertight bulkheads, together with a steel centre line bulkhead and wood shifting boards dividing the holds for grain carrying.
Spacious accommodation for the officers is arranged in a steel house amidships. The engineers being berthed in large steel houses alongside casing, and the crew in cubicles in the forecastle, with separate mess rooms.
For the quick handling of cargo, ten powerful steam winches are provided which work 12 derricks. A direct-acting steam windlass forward and steam steering gear amidships are also fitted.
The topmasts are telescopic, lowering to a height suitable for the Manchester Canal Bridges.
The Heronspool will be completed in all respects as a first-class cargo steamer, her equipment including an efficient wireless installation and electric light throughout.
THE ENGINES
Triple-expansion engines having cylinders 26 ½ in., 43in., and 73 inches diameter and 48 in. stroke, and three large boilers working at a pressure of 180lbs., will be supplied by the Central Marine Engineering Works of the builders, and a number of auxiliaries of the “C.M.E.W.” type, will be installed, including an evaporator, general service pump, ballast pump, combined drain and scum tank, winch condenser with duplex circulating pump, surface feed water heater, and singlex harbour
feed pump.
The ship and machinery are being built under the supervision of Mr. J. B. Nicol on behalf of the owners, and the ceremony of naming the steamer Heronspool was gracefully performed by Miss. Monica Sadler, of Durham.
Amongst those present at the launch were Mrs. William Ropner, and Mrs. Wm Guy Ropner, Mr. J. R. Ropner, Miss. Sadler, Mrs. F. C. Pyman, Mrs. J. H. Farmer, Mrs. A. McGlashan, Mr. Robert Ropner, Dr and Mrs. Slone, Miss Brydon, and Dr. Pickworth (representing Lloyd’s Register of
Shipping).
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