SHIPPING REVIEWED.

Dominion, Volume 7, Issue 1945, 31 December 1913, Page 8

SHIPPING REVIEWED.

SOME STARTLING EVENTS,

HOW SOME TRADES PROGRESSED,

Looking back, the year 1913 has been an interesting one so far as shipping interests aro concerned. During the last twclvo months some important happenings havo boon chronicled, and taking it all round trado to and from New Zealand to all parts of the world has been on tho up grade. In two particular instances is this fact more noticeable than in other cases. Take, for instance, tho Sydney-Wclline-ton-San Francisco and tho S.ydney-Aucin-land-Vancouver services. During tho past year trado lias increased to such an extent in tlieso two lines alono that tho Union Company has been compelled to run extra cargo boats, in addition to tho mail steamers between tho ports mentioned. Practically every steamer which has left San Francisco and Vancouver for AVellington and Auckland respectively during the latter part of tho year has had to leave cargo behind — they have been full ships. Again, the steamers employed in tlieso particular trades aro all recent additions to the fleet, with one exception, and it is reported "that she will be replaced very shortly by an up-to-date passenger steamer.

One of the most important happenings during 1913 so far as tho Auckland-Van-ccuver trade was concerned, was tho shipping of frozen meat per tiio Niagara to Vancouver. Tho first frozen meat to leave Wellington for British Columbia was 6ont forward hy the Maitai on July 29 for transhipment to the Niagara. Largo quantities of meat were also sent from AVaitara and Auckland by tho same vessel.

There has been a decided improvement 111 the steamers employed in tlio intercolonial service during the year. In comparison to tho vessels employed in this particular service a year or two ago the present steamers are "veritable liners." It is a fact that tho intercolonial service has been brought right up to date during tho year 1913. The Coastal Trade. Trade round the coast of New Zealand has been particularly brisk during the year,' and taking it on tho whole the smaller shipowners have had little or nothing to grumble at. New trado centres lave been opened up in. old districts and places round tho coast which at one time only had visits from steamers at infrequent intervals now have their regular services. In this latter connection East Coast hays between Wellington and Napier and Tcrakoho and Mangarakau (West Coast) might veil bo mentioned. Thero are several other places of interest to tho smaller shipowner which have been opened up during the year. Important Happenings. An important happening was the visit of H.M S. New Zealand. She was tho largest vessel that has ever visited Australasia, and what makes her visit of particular interest to Wellingtonians is the fact thai; this huge vessel was berthed at the King's Wharf at noon on Juno 11 without any trouble whatever. H.jYt.S. New Zealand was a vessel of 19,000 tons, and she was drawing 28 feet of water, and when sho was berthed she had "20 feet of water under hoi- stern.

_ Tho Union Company's new palatial liner Niagara is tho largest passenger steamer to visit New Zeahnd up to tho present. Sho is 13,500 tons gross register, and' is employed in tho Syd-ney-Auckland-Vancouver service. This particular vessel made her first appearance in these waters during tlio year which is just about to ho closed. Another important addition to the Union Conwany's fleet this vcar was the Wahine. Sho arrived at Port Chalmers on her maiden voyage on Juno 29 and about a couple of months-later sho entered tho ferry service. What with tho old favourito Maori and the new "flier" Wahine the Union Company have been successful in establishing ono of the best ferry services in tho Southern Hemisphere. Mishaps During the Year. Wrecks and strandings along the coast were unfortunately not, absont. Tlio Tyscr liner Indrabarah was stranded oil Rangitikei Beach, the steamer Devon was wrecked at Wellington Heads, and tho steamer Tyrone was wrecked at Tai aroa Heads. Tlio first-mentioned vessel went ashore at about 11 p.m. on Friday, May 9, and after having been stranded on tlio beach for 54 days she was refloated and arrived at Wellington on July 7. Subsequently the Indrabarah visited Port Chalmers whore sho was repaired. She then loaded at Wellington and Australian ports and left for London via Suez Canal. Strange to say, whilst passing through "tho Ditch" sho again went ashore—the second time within six months—but she was refloated without damage.

On August'2B the Federal Shire liner Devon struck the rocks at Pencarrow Heads. It was an awful night, and tho crew had a most trying experience. Both' rescuers and rescued went through some trying ordeals. No attempt was made to refloat the vessel, and there she remains.

fho Tyrone was wrecked at Taiaroa Heads 011 t'lie night of September 28, in a blinding fog, and she becamo a total loss.

Other wrecks and strandings near Wellington included the coastal steamer .'Red Pine, which' was wrecked on Stephen's Island oil' Friday, March 7, at 11 p.m. The Waimea went ashore at 4 a.m. on Saturday, March 11, in Oliau Buy, and was refloated undamaged, and the scow Maroro went on the rocks at East Entry Point 011 Juno 11. Slio was towed off by the coastal steamer Nikau during'the day. Progress of tho port. As far as the port of Wellington is concerned, the year has been a progressive one. Actual figures wero not ascertainable yesterday, but it is reported that several records havo been established. During the year the Wellington Patent Slip Company issued new shares with tho object of building a second Patent Slip. Then again the Union Company's repairing yards and machinery were shifted out 1o Evans Bay, and practically tho whole of the repairing work for all vessels of the ileet visiting Wellington is dono there. The Harbour Board have been busy, and unusual activity and progress has been displayed in many directions. Many important works liavo been taken in hand and completed. Tho work of reclaiming land at To Aro and Waterloo Quay has been pushed ahead with all speed. Tho staging from Jervois Quay to Taranaki Street Wharf and' additions to tho latter structure and the new Ferry Wlmrf, and additions to tho existing Ferry Wharf have almost been completed, - although tlioy were only commenced lato in tho year. Then tho work of extending the Glasgow Wharf has been started, and 7i Sh'cd, the new cheese store 011 Waterloo Quay, has been finished, and has been used for some months past.

It is anticipated that when tho returns are available the shipping handled at tho port of Wellington during the vear will easily prove to be a record.