Alona Mendi - Launch

A LOCAL LAUNCH

SECOND OF THREE VESSELS FOR SPANISH OWNERS.

Northern Daily Mail, 27th Dec 1928.

On Thursday Messrs. Wm Gray and Co., Ltd., launched from their Central Shipyard, West Hartlepool, the steel screw steamer Alona-Mendi, the second of three which they are building to the order of La Compania Naviera Sota Y Azner, of Bilbao, for their general cargo line from Glasgow and Liverpool to Spanish ports.

The dimensions of the steamer are as follows: length over all, 289ft.; breadth extreme, 39ft.; and depth moulded to upper deck, 18ft. 2 ½ in. with open shelter deck. She will take the highest class in Lloyd’s Register.

The Alona-Mendi is constructed on the cellular double bottom principal with after peak for water ballast, the framing being of the deep bulb angle type, and has four watertight bulkheads.

                                                  A FIRST-CLASS STEAMER

Accommodation for the officers is arranged in a steel house amidships, the engineers are berthed in steel houses alongside the engine casing, and the crew in cubicles in the poop, with separate mess rooms.

For the quick handling of cargo eight powerful steam winches are to be provided to work eight derricks. A steel derrick for dealing with 25 ton lifts is to be fitted at the foremast. A direct steam windlass forward and combined steam steering gear aft are also to be fitted.

The topmasts will be telescopic, lowering to a height suitable for the Manchester Ship Canal Bridges.
The Alona-Mendi will be completed in all respects as a first-class cargo steamer, her equipment including wireless installation and electric light throughout.

                                                THE ENGINES

Triple-expansion engines having cylinders 20 ½ in., 33 ½ in., and 55 inches diameter, by 39 inches stroke, and two 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 “CMEW” type will be installed, including auxiliary condenser combined drain and scumming tank, live steam surface feed water heater pair of independent feed pumps, evaporator, general service, and ballast pumps.

The ship and machinery are being built under the supervision of Mr. A. de Bareno, of Bilbao, and the
ceremony of naming the steamer Alona-Mendi was gracefully performed by Mrs. Thomas Bagley, of Wooton Cottage, Eaglescliffe.

The builders were represented by Mr. F. C. Pyman (Managing Director), Mr. A. McGlashan, (Director), Mr. T. S. Simpson (General Manager), and Mr. W. Hird (Yard Manager).
Amongst others present at the launch were Mr. T Bagley, Mr. Bagley, jun., Mr. R. H. Charlton (Spanish
Vice Consul), and Mr. R. J. Macintosh (Lloyd’s Register of Shipping).



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