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PORT CHALMERS.

In several of the various picturesque nooks with which the district round Port Chalmers abounds, unexpected glimpses of industry, suitable to the locality, are obtained. In two different places, hidden from view excepting by special boating excursion, the frame-work of vessels, appa ently intended for coasting work, are to be seen. They are snugly sheltered by the lofty and well-wosded hills, and, as the water is mostly deep, there is every convenience for launching them safely when finished. Moored at some distance from the ordinary anchorage is the floating-dock, and beyond her, in Carey’s Bay, is Mr. Isbister’s patent slip. Probably very few of our City visitors to the Port know of this important aid to the mercantile advantages of the Port, and it may be questioned whether or not some of the subsequent outlay in appliances for repairing vessels might not have been better expended in a iding to the power and usefulness of the slip. At present the machinery is equal to drawing up a vessel of about 4lto tons, so as to examine and clean her bottom. Further excavation inland, and extension of the ways would be necessary for larger vessels. All of our readers have heard of patent sips but, in all probability, the greater portion of them never saw one, and have only a very vague idea of what they are and how they are used. Many will be slow to believe that such a huge structure as a ship, with masts and yards standing and ready for sea. may be hauled out of the water upon one of these ship-railways in a few hours, any trifling repairs done that is me s.ary, an I then be launched and proceed on he: - voyage. The moans adopted are very simple. Mr. Isbister’s slip extends at an incline of 6 feet in 100 to.a distance of 2-50 feet into the water. It consists of three parallel lines of timber, laid down very solidly, on which a cradle travels. On this cradle the vessel is securely fixed, and, by means of a poweiful winch, capable of being worked by six men, a ship with a length of keel of 120 cet, drawing (5 feet water forward and 10 feet aft, can be drawn up out of the water with ease in about four hours Although, in all these mechanical constructions, there is a similarity in the means adopted, they vary somewhat in details Mr, Isbister has so arranged his machinery that the carriage is made io move on friction rollers on the centre line of ways, and by this mean - it works more easily than otherwise would be the case. It will be seen from the details that the usefulness of the slip is confined at present to vessels of limited tonnage, and to that class it has been of great advantage. Wc are told that from twenty to thirty vessels annually are repaired there. Report says Mr Isbister has not confined his attention to known mechanical appliances, but has for some years been engaged in perfecting a mode of propelling ships whipb is likely to lead to great advantage to the commerce of the world, We

only speak of what we hear ; but if report tells truth, a trial has been made of his raafchiuery with such satisfactory results that he purposes securing a patent. If half be correct that is said of it, it will prove a valuable invention both to the world, to the inventor, ami any who may be lucky enough to have an interest in it.

Permanent link to this item
Hononga pūmau ki tēnei tūemi

https://paperspast.natlib.govt.nz/newspapers/ESD18710504.2.13

Bibliographic details
Ngā taipitopito pukapuka

Evening Star, Volume IX, Issue 2562, 4 May 1871, Page 2

Word count
Tapeke kupu
595

PORT CHALMERS. Evening Star, Volume IX, Issue 2562, 4 May 1871, Page 2

PORT CHALMERS. Evening Star, Volume IX, Issue 2562, 4 May 1871, Page 2

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