Ceremony at New Engineering and Shipbuilding Works declare Yangtszepoo Dry dock No, 2 open," said Mrs, H. E, Arn-Yold on February 21 as she cut tri-coloured ribbons with silver shears before a distinguished gathering at the New—Enggineering & Shipbuilding Works. The ribbons were strained across the new dock as H. M. S. Ladybird slowly entered to take up a position for extensive repairs. As the bow of the man-of-war touched the ribbons, Mrs, Arnhold cut the frail obstruction and without difficulty' the vessel entered, The creation of this drydock is rather a remarkable piece of work, 'The plans were passed in July last and in Angus', work was commenced. There was, of course, a considerable amount of excavation work to be carried out and machinery to be b The whole was carried out by the New Engineering Work, within fiv> months.
After the ceremony guests, among whom were A. W, Burkill, BIN, Gordon Morris, Capt, Longworth, "Mr. Yanase, Capt. Roth, "and. a representative gathering of local. shipping men repaired to the dock building where reception took place. Represe Ing Hy M, Navy were It, Commdr. 1, 0.'C. Plowden, Capt, Dowding Eng. Commdr. Mayne, It, Ambrose, and: Eng, Commdr. Heath. Ther Were also present officers from the allan man-of-war Libi Mr. LIB, Arnhold sai first of all to thank you for yo attendance at Yangtszepoo this afternoon tobe with us at the pening ceremony of our new dry To my coudirectors and to myself wis a day of great encouragement and: sttisfaction, and we are glad to 90 many of our friends with us this. very auspicious occasion, Which marks another singe in the advancement and progress of this company.
My firm have been most. closely sociated with the business, as general managers, since its inception nearly: 30 years ago, when in conjunction with the Tate' Mx. John Blechynden, father of our present managing director, a: smal. site was acquired at Yangtszepoo, and the Now "Engineering" Works Drought into being as a ship repo vyard,-but- one without a dock. For attended "our soon realized that further progress: was obstructed by reason. of the fact that the Company had mo Dock, In course imo the foreshore' was. reclaimed ud shortly afterwards Yangtszepoo Dock No. 1 was constructed, being capable of accommodating. vessels up to-450 ft. in length. The comppany's ontenprise-was justified from the outset, and within a very: few years we were again handicapped for lack of adequate facilities for handling all the vessels entrusted to our care, To meet the additional need the oid Dock was lengthened by 185 ft, which not only permitted: large vessels to. be. aecommodate, but enabled two coasters of the ordinary, type to be dealt with at one docking.
The company: kept pace with the progress of the port, and it was Tot long before. the. additional facilities again became inadequate. The board then determined eonsiruct another dock, and one which was hoped would cater for] the needs of the Company for many years to come. It was consider desirable to have this dock of sufficient dimensions to accommodate Should occasion arise, the largest vessels entering the port, but after several years. of most patient endeavour it was found impossible acquire: suitable: land with suf cient depth of water for the pyr-pose.
Business continued: to increase, and as it was found we had frequently to refuse work owing nek docking: facilities, the- Company determined to construct the largest lock: possible om our land down here.
"You have just witnessed the opening ceremony, performed by my Wife, followed immediately he entrance of HIS. Ladybird into the dock, Decisions to carry out this work swore only made as recently as Julie ast, Plans were drawn. up. and the work put im hand on August 13, A' very: large amount material, including. large shipments
Text read from the printed page and cleaned; old type leaves the occasional error.