Members of ibe Norwegian, community were in the majority among a number of interested spectators at the launching of the str. Dukat from the yard'of the New Engineering & Shipbuilding Co.'s works on Wednesday afternoon. The cere-many of christening the vessel was performed by Mrs. Nilsen, and the boat went down to the water with great smoothness and despatch—a very successful launching.
Fearcres or tHe VESskL.
The Dukat and her sister vessels are built to Det Norske Veritas highest requirements, details being as follows:—Length over all 2546"
Length between perpeud-
Breadth moulded 376"
Depth moulded 170"
The vessels are of the single deck type, divided into six watertight compartments and provided with a cellular double bottom for water ballast extending fore and aft. Water ballast is also carried in the] fore and after peaks, the total capacity being 480 tons.
Their deadweight carrying capacity {is 2.000 tons, and a speed of 10 knots is easily obtained under loaded conditions. the average speed obtained on trial under ballast being 11] knots.
immediately after the launching the Dukat- was taken alongside the wharf under the sheer legs to have her engines, boilers and auxiliary machinery placed on board.
Text read from the printed page and cleaned; old type leaves the occasional error.