Lackenby - Launch

LOCAL LAUNCH

ANOTHER VESSEL FOR ROPNER CO., LTD.

Northern Daily Mail. 20 June/28

Yesterday Messrs. Wm Gray and Co., Ltd., launched from their Central Shipyards the handsome steel screw steamer Lackenby, which is being built to the order of the Ropner Shipping Co., Ltd., West Hartlepool.

The vessel will take the highest class in Lloyd’s Register, and is of the following dimensions: Length overall 425ft.4in.; breadth, 54ft. 3in., depth moulded to upper deck, 29ft. 11 ½  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 six watertight bulkheads, together with a steel centre line bulkhead, and wood shifting boards dividing the holds for grain carrying.
                
                                                                  EQUIPMENT

Spacious accommodation for the officers is arranged in a steel house amidships. The engineers will be 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 to work 12 derricks. A direct-acting steam windlass forward and steam steering gear amidships are also to be fitted.

The topmasts will be telescopic, lowering to a height suitable for the Manchester Ship Canal Bridges.

The Lackenby will be completed in all respects as a first-class cargo steamer, her equipment including an efficient wireless installation with direction finder, and electric light throughout.
                
                                                                 THE ENGINES

Triple-expansion engines having cylinders 26 ½ in., 44in., and 73 inches dia. by 48 in. stroke, and three boilers working at a pressure of 180lbs., will be supplied by the Central Marine Engineering Works of the builders.

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 scumming tank, winch condenser with circulating pump, pair of independent singlex feed pumps, and surface feed water heaters.

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 Lackenby was gracefully performed by Miss Doris Sadler of Oswald House, Durham.

The owners were represented by Mr. William Ropner, J. P., and Mr. W. Guy Ropner, and the builders by Sir William Gray, Bart., chairman;  Mr. F. C. Pyman  managing director; Mr. A. McGlashan, and Mr. J. H. Farmer, directors, and Mr. T. S. Simpson general manager.

Amongst those present at the launch were Mrs. Sadler,  Mrs. Guy Ropner, Mrs. F. C. Pyman, Mr. and Mrs. Ian Haywood, Capt. Davies, and Capt. Muller.

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