The Wrangell sentinel., 1930-01-02
WESTDAHL HAS
 DIESEL ENGINES
NEW STEEL VESSEL ADDED TO PACIFIC FLEET OF COAST SURVEY.

The Sentinel has received from the office or the U. s. Coast and aeodeue Survey at Washington the following description Of the new survey vessel which will be in ser glce in Alaska next season:
 The tender Westdahl, completed TOT the exacting work of the U. s. Coast and Geodetie Survey at the yards Of the Albina Marine Iron Works, Portland, Oregon, has just passed satisfactory trials and been accepted by the government. She IS 77 feet over all, 15 feet in- ches beam, and draws feet.
 This new 90-ton vessel is a departure from previous types of surveying tenders constructed for the Coast Survey, in that steel hull with complete double bottoms and Diesel power, have been sub stituted for wood and steel.
 It is intended for surveying op- erations in localities unsuited to larger sea-going vessels, such as in- land waters of considerable size and inshore work along exposed coasts. Such vessel must combine sea-go- ing qualities, rugged construction and maneuVering ability, and have ample fuel and fresh water space and comfortable quarters for a complement of from 12 to 15 off cers and crew.
 Five watertight bulkheads and a double bottom extending the full length of the boat, together with sturdy construction, provide the necessary safety in case of damage in striking on sunken rocks in the dangerous waters to be surveyed. In the double bottom will be car ried IA tons of fuel oil and tons of fresh water. Forward of the en- zine room, below deck, are the quarters for 12 men, while aft of the engine room a raised cabin pro- Vides quarters for three officers. In the deck house over the engine space is the galley and pilot house, the latter being sufficiently large to accommodate a large plotting ta- ble. The tender is also equipped with a radio and the latest type of sounding apparatus, including the Fathometer, an echo-sounding machine.
 The main engine is an Atlas Im- perial direct reversible 40 H. P. Diesel, which will give a speed of ten knots. The auxiliary equip ment consists of two 5 K. W. Koh- Ter automatic gasoline engine gem orator sets; motor driven, fuel, fresh water, fire and bilge pumps, and an auxiliary air compressor. The anchor windlass is also motor driven.
 Automatic sanitary and fresh water pressure systems are in- stalled. Both fuel and lubricating oil will be cleaned by a centrifuge before passing to the engine. E.
 The small boat equipment con ried in davits over the cabin.
 The home port of this tender is Seattle, Washington, and L. D. Graham has been placed in com mand, by transfer from the Dis coverer. The first trip will be in the nature of a shakedown, cover ing hydrographic work this winter in the vicinity of Santa Barbara Channel, after which the vessel will proceed to the Gulf of Alaska.
 The tender is named in honor of Captain Ferdinand Westdahl, who rendered valiant service with the Coast Survey form 1867 until his death in 1919, mostly on the Pacific coast, Alaska, and the Philippine Islands, where he commanded the Survey vessels Gedney, McArthur, Pathfinder, and Patterson. His son, Lawrence Westdahl, is now Port Superintendent at San Francisco for the Dollar Steamship Lines.