GREATER DRAUGHT

Bay of Plenty Beacon, Volume 5, Issue 39, 13 April 1942, Page 5

GREATER DRAUGHT

SHIPPING COMPANY'S COMPLAINT LOW-TIDE BERTHAGE j Alleging that the depth of water at low tide alongside the Whakatane Harbour Board's ' wharf rnaged from Bft. to sft. ; and that the strained position, of a vessel resting on a bottom • of such unevenness might result in very serious damage, the Northern Shipping Company have approached the Board requesting that the wharf frontage be dredged its full length, in order to ensure a uniform depth. "We are advised by our Masters,'* ran the letter, "that there is only a matter of sft of water under the middle of the vessel at low water, yet Bft under her stern. If this is , , correct she cannot continue to lie- • ».n such a position as she will receive severe injury. She will be drawing at the after end at least 7ft of water, and you will appreciate the fact that if she is lying hard aground amidships and for'ard, ans the after , part, which contains a.lli the machinery and fuel oil is over-* hanging, she runs a grave risk of! straining herself, if not breaking her back, Avhich would be a most disstarous happening. We request that complete sound-K----ings be taken at lew -water along! the face of the wharf with offsets from each .pile for at least 30ft out from the pile. Such soundings need to be taken in a line from the pile at right angles to the wharf, and at a distance of not less than sft apart; Losß of Propeller When the Clansman was at Whakatane last week she severely damaged one of her propellers. It is. thought by the Master and Chief Engineer that while lying at the wharf she sat on a log or snag whicli damaged tlie propeller, and on her return to Auckland necessitated our replacing it with a new one. As propellers are very costly, and most difficult to secure at the present time, you will understand our anxiety in this matter. The berth, should be dragged with grapptings to make sure there is not a log, snag or other obstruction lying there where the vessels have to lie aground' at low water. We know your board will realise the seriousness of these things. Requesting that immediate steps be taken to ascertain the true position of the berth at the Whakatane wharf. Harbourmaster's Report In his report on the above the: Board's Harbourmaster, Capt Carey, stated:— As requested I have taken careful soundings along the full length; of the wharf and have ascertained 1 the depth at low water at the different berths. I also dragged with a grappling and could not find any; obstruction at the berth where the Clansman lies. I have; read Captain Hammond's letter to the Board and noted Avhat he says about the vessels overhanging aft and the risks of straining herself. There is certainly about two J act mere water from the second pile at the south end as you will see by my plan of soundings. This difference of depth is caused bv the vessels engines being run at the wharf to warm them up, but Avith the Clansman it is not necessary and is not done in her case, but was caused by the Toa and other A'essels when they Avere on the run, their engines being of a different type, having to be Avarmed up before leaving the AA r harf. The difference o.f depth is not so; great as it Avas when I took soundings some months ago and there is no doubt the bottom Avill level oft in time providing propellers arc nob run at the berth. Seeing that the Clansman is Avater-borne to the extent of five or six feel at low Avater, I do not think there is much risk of damage, Avhich is proved by the fact that she has not suffered any injury in the past. The Board after discussing the subject decided to go further in the matter of the soundings and to investigate in collaboration A\ T ith the Consulting County Engineer. Mi C* H. Brebner. MW—WW! ——«■■■!■*