FOR PRESS:
EMBARGOED FOR THURSDAY MORNING PAPERS.
LAUNCHING BY DAME PATTIE MENZIES, G.B.E.

Dame Pattie Menzies, G.B.J. the wife of the Rt. Hon. R.G. Menzies, C.H., Q.C., M.P., the Prime Minister of Australia. Will launch the tanker "British Trust" for the B.P. Tanker Company (the principal shipping organization of the British Petroleum Company) at the Kingston shipyard of Lithgow’s Limited, Port Glasgow, on June 26. The "British Trust" is one of a class of 14 ships of 15,500 tons dead weight on a summer draught of 29 feet 5 inches being built for the B.P. Tanker Company for the carriage of finished products between refineries and ocean installations for distribution in the B.P. marketing areas.

"British Trust" will be a product carrier and it is possible she will be employed between the Kwinana Refinery and Ports in eastern Australia in the future.

She is 525 feet overall length, 69 feet broad and will be able to trade between a range of ports where size restrictions are a limiting factor. She is diesel-driven, with a speed of about 14 ½ knots. Accommodation is provided for a crew of 57, all of whom, except apprentices and boys, will have single cabins.

The ceremony will be attended by Mr. Menzies and by the High Commissioner for Australia in London, Sir Eric Harrison and Lady Harrison.

With the compliments of -
Hugh Dash,
Press Secretary to the Prime Minister.

CANBERRA, A.C.T.
3rd June, 1959.