On Thursday a fine schooner was launched from the yard of Messrs. W.Ashburner & Sons, Hindpool, Barrow-in-Furness. The new vessel numbers about the 20th schooner which has been launched from this yard, and almost the whole of these vessels have not only been employed for years in the remunerative coasting and foreign service, but they still bear unmistakeable testimony of the sound and substantial workmanship employed in their construction. The last addition to this fleet of vessels is appropriately named after the builder of the vessel, "William Ashburner", a gentleman who has won a well deserved reputation in the building of the highest class of vessels. The dimensions of the William Ashburner are length 115 ft., breadth 25 ft., depth of hold 12 ft., and 205 register tonnage. She is rigged as a three-masted schooner with two topsail yards and she is classed with Lloyd's 11 years A1 Special Survey. She will be commanded by Captain Charnley, late of the R & MJ Charnley, the oldest captain in the employ of this firm. The ceremony of naming the vessel was gracefully performed by Mrs. T.Ashburner, wife of the managing owner. The launch was highly successful; and the new vessel, decked with bunting, presented a fine appearance in the water. The William Ashburner has been rigged with the best of material, and her sails were made by Messrs. Ashburner & Co., of Dalton Road.
At two o'clock a dinner was held at the Imperial Hotel, where Mr. & Mrs. Hinks, the host and hostess, provided a really excellent repast which did credit to the culinary resources of this well managed hotel. There was a fair attendance of shipowners and others interested in the shipping trade. Mr. W.Ashburner jun. occupied the chair, and Mr. T.Ashburner the vice-chair.