DOCKYARD LAUNCH
CARGO VESSEL FOR LONDON OWNERS
Northern Daily Mail. 14/6/30
Messrs. William Gray and Co., Ltd., launched from their West Hartlepool dockyard, on Thursday, the steel screw steamer Harperley which has been built to the order of The National Steamship Co., Ltd., London Messrs. J. And C. Harrison, Ltd., managers.
The vessel will take the highest class in Lloyd’s Register and is of the following dimensions: - Length overall, 413ft 6in, breadth, 54ft 6in, depth moulded to the upper deck, 27ft 3 ½in., with long bridge, poop, and forecastle.
Constructed on the cellular double bottom principle, with fore and after peaks for water ballast, the framing being of the deep bulb-angle type, she has six 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 steel houses alongside the casing and the crew in the poop with separate mess rooms.
EQUIPMENT
Ten 7in. x 12in. steam winches will be provided to work ten derricks, and a 7in x 12in. warping winch is to be fitted on the poop. A direct acting steam windlass forward and steam steering gear amidships are also to be fitted.
The Harperley will be completed in all respects as a first-class cargo steamer, her equipment including an efficient Wireless Installation, and electric light throughout.
Triple-expansion engines having cylinders 25 – 41 – 68 inches diameter by 45 inches stroke and two main boilers and one auxiliary boiler, all fitted with natural draught, working at a pressure of 180lbs. 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, also supplied will be fitted.
The ship and machinery have been built under the supervision of Mr. J. White, and the ceremony of naming the steamer Harperley was performed by Mrs. F.J. Harrison.
The owners were represented by Mr. F.J. Harrison and Mr. J. White, and the builders by Sir Wm Gray, Bt. (chairman, Messrs. M.S. Gibb, J.H. Farmer and A. McGlashan, and T. McCarthey (directors), Mr. T.S. Simpson, (general manager), Mr. J. Nelson, (yard manager).
Amongst those present were Mr & Mrs. Milburn Mrs. Rowlands, Miss McCarthy, Mr. J. Neil, Mr. N. J. White, and Mr Wm. Fisher.