THE DOMBY
First Launch Here for Nearly 18 Months.
FOR SIR R. ROPNER & CO.
Northern Daily Mail 10/02/1932
The first vessel to be launched in the Hartlepools left the ways at Messrs. Wm. Gray and Company’s Dockyard last evening.
This was the Domby which has been built to the order of Sir R. Ropner and Co., Ltd.
The last vessel launched here was the Somersby, built for the same firm, and which entered the water on September 6, 1930.
The Domby is the 21st steamer that has been built by Messrs. Wm. Gray and Co., for Sir R. Ropner and Co., in the last few years.
She is the first to be completed of the seven vessels which Messrs. Gray and Co., have on their books and four of which are now in the course of construction – two at the dockyard and two at the central shipyard.
DESCRIPTION OF THE VESSEL
The Domby, which is of about 9,000 tons, and which will take the highest class in British Corporation Register of Shipping, has a length over all, 434ft. 3inches, a breadth of 55ft 5inches, and a depth moulded to the upper deck of 31 feet, with bridge, poop, and forecastle.
She is constructed on the cellular double bottom principle with fore and after 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 will be berthed in large steel houses alongside the casing, and the crew in cubicles in the poop with separate messrooms.
For the quick handling of cargo 11 powerful steam winches are provided which work 12 derricks. A direct acting steam windlass forward and steam steering gear amidships are also fitted.
The Domby will be completed in all respects as a first-class cargo steamer, her equipment including an efficient wireless installation, and electric light throughout.
THE MACHINERY
Triple-expansion engines having cylinders respectively of 26in., 43 ½in., and 73in. diameter by 48in. stroke, and three large boilers working at a pressure of 200lbs. per square inch, 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 centrifugal circulating pump, pair of independent feed pumps, winch condenser with duplex circulating pump, duplex general service and two ballast pumps, evaporator, and drain and scumming tank.
A “C.M.E.W.” thermocouple installation will also be fitted, by means of which the temperatures of the cases in the combustion chambers of the boilers, the smokeboxes, at the base of the funnel, and other points may be easily and conveniently read at one place in the engine room.
The ship and machinery have been built under the supervision of Mr. J. B. Nicol on behalf of the owners.
THE CHRISTENING CEREMONY
The ceremony of naming the steamer “Domby” was performed by Mrs. Ian Bullen of London.
The owners were represented at the launch by Mr. Wm Ropner, Mr. W. Guy Ropner, Mr. J.R. Ropner, and Mr T. Barker (directors), and Mr. J. B. Nicol, and the builders by Sir Wm. Gray, Bart. (chairman), Mr. F.C. Pyman (managing director) Mr. M.S. Gibb, Mr. J.H. Farmer, Mr. A. McGlashan (directors), Mr. T.S. Simpson (general manager), and Mr. J. Nelson (yard manager)
Amongst those also present were Mrs. Wm Ropner, Mrs. W. Guy Ropner, Mrs. J.R. Ropner, Lady Gray, a Mrs. J.H. Farmer Capt Ian Bullen (director Empire Steel Products Limited, London)
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