More Ships Expected At Lyttelton

Press, Volume C, Issue 29514, 16 May 1961, Page 16

More Ships Expected At Lyttelton

Although Lyttelton was a crowded port yesterday, two more ships were expected to anchor in the stream last evening—the coastal motor-ship, Maunganui, of 860 tons, and the inter-colonial motor-ship, Babinda, of 655 tons. Yesterday’s record tonnage of ships in p0rt—158,799 tons—was reduced slightly last evening with the departure of the 11,219-ton motor vessel, Sydney Star, for Timaru, and the 679-ton coaster, Kopara, for Napier.

Several ships have already been diverted from Lyttelton. The Kaitoke and Kantane, both inter-colonial traders, have altered their schedules to by-pass Lyttelton, and the Eastern trader. Wairata, originally expected from Wellington today, will now first call at Dunedin. The Dutch freighter, Friesland, which Is inaugurating a new direct European service to New Zealand, will also by-pass Lyttelton and go direct to Dunedin, calling here later in the month. Yesterday’s departure of the Sydney Star will allow the 11,272-ton cargo liner. Sussex, which has been anchored off the heads since Friday, to obtain a loading berth. Besides the expected arrival of the Maunganui and Babinda last evening, another 6000-ton freighter is due off the heads today, and will load for the United Kingdom when she can obtain a berth. More ships are due later in the week, but the projected departure today of the coastal vessels Holmlea, Tiroa, and Holmburn, and the overseas ships City of Auckland. Mystic, and Cumulus, should create further berthage space. There were more than 250 men required to work the ships berthed in Lyttelton

yesterday. Two ships, the inter-colonial freighter, Komata, and the coaster, Poranui, lay idle. Other vessels fared little better, with the Port Melbourne reduced to one crew gang al) day. Limited gangs were available for the Holmburn, Tiroa, and Breeze, while the Cumulus, and the cargo liner, Port Dunedin, were also short. According to the Railways port superintendent at Lyttelton (Mr N. J. Montgomery), the railway-truck position at present appears to be satisfactory, because of the large proportion of vessels loading—but there was no guarantee that this would continue, said Mr Montgomery. A phosphate vessel, the Cape Wrath, now anchored off the heads, would fill many trucks when she berthed.