GISBORNE'S NEW DREDGE.

Gisborne Times, Volume VII, Issue 345, 20 February 1902, Page 3

GISBORNE'S NEW DREDGE.

THE JOHN TOWN LEY.

The drodge which should have been completed ab jut a year ago, arid for which the Harbor Board has been anxiously waiting month after month, has come to hand at last, boing brought into the river at 9 yesterday morning, in charge of Captain Butt. The great fault found with the vessel on tho way up was that she could not steer well, those on board declaring her to bo a “ perfect brute. 1 ' The vessel requires a good clouding up before she can bo set to work. The machinery of the vessel is very powerful, as required by the contiact, and there is every reason to behove that tho dredge will bo quite cquaj to expectations, and easily cope with tho work required of the vessel. Captain Butt reports that the .John Townioy left Lyttelton on Saturday morning with a light south wind, which died away at 8 p in. In the evening thcro was a stoppage through a spindle bonding. The night was calm, and tho Kaikouras wero passed at 8 a.in. Sunday. Light N.W. winds were experienced on Sunday. Passing Cook Straits the water was choppy, but tho weather throughout was very favorable. The vessel called at Castlcpoint for a couple of hours on Monday. Captain Butt has with him a crew of ten, principally members of the builders, Messrs John Anderson’s engineering staff. Accompanying the vessel was Mr Turpan, the engineer who has superintended the vessel’s construction, and who remains in Gisborno for a fortnight in order to see the dredgo satisfactorily in use. In the centre of tho ship is a well for holding the silt dredged out of tLo harbor, its capacity being 100 tons. Undcrncarth are four largo doors, which open and roleuse it wbon it is taken out to sea to bo discharged. Forward of this is the powerful derrick, from which will bo worked the grabs. These aro much larger than any that have been hitherto in uso horo, and tho work will also bo j much more speody than hitherto. Tho dredge is fitted with one speciul grab, with long teeth, fur rock wont, and it is expected that a good deal of tho softer rock in the harbor will be removed with this without the necessity for blasting. Forward of the crane is a poworful steam winch and anothor which is located aft, which should enable tho vessel to be readily moored and moved. Abaft the bridge is a Worthington fire engine, imported from America, capable of pumping 750 gallons of water a minute, and throwing three strong jets over tho Gisborne Freezing Works buildings. The John Townley is fittod with twin screws, worked by two powerful engines, which are expected when the vessel is loaded to develop a speed of from 8 to 9 knots. The engine-room is connected with tho bridge by port and starboard telegraphs. The motive power is dorived from two large multitubular boilers, which abut- on to the engine-room, and tho stoke hold is forward of the bridge. In the forepart of the ship there is a good deal of space ’tween decks, and this was tho cabin of the vessel for the voyage up. Off the main “ saloon ’’ aro two small room’s, which were occupied by captain aud chief engineer respectively