PITCH AND TIMBER

Dominion, Volume 21, Issue 118, 16 February 1928, Page 8

PITCH AND TIMBER

A LEAKING CARGO The Harbour Board’s floating crane Hikitea was required yesterday to lift an eight-tone mass of timber and pitch, which had become cemented together in a hold of the American steamer Dewey, at present discharging Pacific coast cargo at the Taranaki Street Wharf. The pitch, which was loaded in California, was contained in drums, some of which leaked during the voyage; resulting in the pitch running amongst the timber. As it had solidified with the timber, the services of the Hikitea were obtained to raise one “lift” of eight tons of timber and pitch from the hold of the vessel. The Hikitea deposited the mass on the Thorndon breastwork, where the pitch will be broken away from the timber. The hold of the,Dewey has been cleared of the pitch, but pools on the Taranaki Street Wharf alongside the vessel have set hard, and the pitch will have to be broken up to be removed. Before landing it on the wharf sand was spread on the decking, and timber was placed to prevent the pitch from unduly spreading.