RIVER TRAFFIC.

Gisborne Times, Volume XXVI, Issue 2284, 1 September 1908, Page 2

RIVER TRAFFIC.

GRAVE COMPLAINTS FROM SHIPPING. > NEW DREDGE APPLIANCES SUGGESTED. The continual trouble of effectively keeping the rivor clear of silt to allow tho free passage of boats was again under discussion at tho meeting of the Harbor Board yesterday, when the following report was read from tho Overseer (Mr. McLeod): “As tho bad stato of tho channel called for some special effort being made to improve it —more particularly that part between tho breakwater and tho groyne —tho smaLl dredge wns put into commission on the 19th of this month to expedite tho loading of the John Tovynley, but owing to tho impracticability or working her alongside the John Townloy except in very calm weather, this method cj'inot profitably be continued. If we had two hopper barges, she could bo profitably employed loading them higher up the river; but in the absence of these tho more profitable way of employing her would be to place her on the breakwater on her own trolley .with travelling gear. She would thus be able to travel the whole length of the shallow part.of the river along tho breakwater and could be dredging the spoil over the breakwater in all weathers, and in addition to keeping the channel open along the wall she would bo gradually diminishing the amount of spoil now lying between tho two walls, as by the .action of the sea it would feed towards the lowest point as it ivas being removed. Another important matter for consideration is how to inako the most profitable use of the John Townley. The kind of grab buckets we have in use are not the most suited for the kind of material that we have to deal with, both at the mouth of the river and between the town and Haiti wharves. We -Lave added 650 pounds to tile weight of the toothgrab, which is the better of the two in use, with the result That tlio John Townley can now load in a little over half tho time in which she could do so before, and I feel 6ure that a much better, result still could be obtained by using a different style of grabbucket, such as shown on page 25 in catalogue No. 2 of Pulliam Steel Works Co., Ltd., London. One of the greatest drawbacks to tile buckets wo are now using is that only about half the power used in lifting is exerted in closing the bucket, while in that of the power closing bucket 5-6ths of the power used is oxerted in closing the bucket. Also, the power closing bucket is narrow and oval in shape, while ours is wide and square, and will thus offer much less resistance at the cutting edge. Soane rime ago we were . advised by Mr. Marchant, of Tim aru, to adopt tho use of wire ropes in place of chains, for hoisting the buckets, as being much smoother in working, and .cause loss wear and tear on the crane. This was tried, "but owing to the short drift between the jib head and the llopper, and the tendency , for the main and tripping wires to foul by twisting, their U6e had to be abandoned. This presents a- difficulty in using the power closing bucket, as it lias to be worked by wire ropes, but it is a difficulty that can easily he overcome, by lengthening the jib, so as to get the necessary drift, which could be done the first time she goes on tho slip. I would therefore strongly recommend your Board to procure one of these buckets. The John Townley has this month taken 44 loads of spoil to sea. The suction dredge is now pumping spoil over the new wharf.” The Harbormaster (Captain W. Cumming) reported:—“The channel and along tlie wharves is still in a bad state, vessels drawing 10ft are continually touching the bottom at highwater when coming to or leaving the wharves. This is a serious matter for long vessels, as they may take a sheer and do themselves considerable damage, and it makes a very anxious time for those connected with tho shipping of the port. I most respectfully beg that the .Board give this matter their immediate consideration . soundings taken in the channel on tlm 2Q(h inst .are: End of breakwater 12ft, fourth bollard 7s 9in. Sparks landing sft 9in, big crane 6ft bin, Waikasiao 6ft Gin, along new sft to 7ft, Haiti wharf sft to

.Captain G. P. Solvander, master of the: uredge. John Townley, reported the amount of spoil taken out 2500 yards-of mud, from abreast of tho town, wharf, 1565 yards of sand along _the breakwater, in all 4065 yards. They were one day working at the buoys in the Bav, two days not able to dredge owing to bad weather, a4id three days waiting for the boilermakers to finish boilers. Air N. Falla, acting-manager of the Union Steamship Co., at Gisborne wrote:—“l have to draw the attention of your Board to the present unsatisfactory state of the river The Company’s steamer Squall, when leaymg Rere for Auckland oil the 12th met., bumped heavily and cleared only with the utmost difficulty, and on entering the port on the 22hd aist., drawing just under 10ft, siie again dragged. Both of these happenings were at high water. Had the sea on the latter occasion been otherwise than quite smooth- the captain of tlie Squall states that he would have been unable to negotiatethe port. The shallow state of the river also frequently interferes with the tendering work of the Tuatea As an instance, on the 16th inst. about 200 inward passengers had to be disembarked rat the breakwater, just inside the entrance. Fortunately, tho sea was quite calm, otherwise it would have been necessary to remain in the roadstead about four hours as in a rough sea any attempt to onter the river would have menaced life and property. I trust that this matter, which lias assumed a serious aspect, will 'receive due considerstron from your Board, and that steps will be immediately taken to improve tbe channel, for which purpose the present plant appears to be tiradequate. .

AV. F lies, manager of tlie Mestport Coal Co., wrote:— ‘“AVe have again to call your attention to tlie difficulties experienced by our steamer (the Regulus) in trying to work this port, owing to the bad stato of the river channel. On the steamers arrival last week wo were compelled to lighter 150 tons of her cargo before attempting to bring her up. tlie channel,, and then, with her draught at 9ft _9in, she touched, bottom when oonnug up. Wo respectfully suggest to your Board that more up-to-date appliances are required t 0 cope with the frequent silting up of the river. AYo would like to point out that the river has now been in' this unsatisfactory state on and off, since Alarch last,' and it lapliears now to be worse' instead of better, thus showing that the present appbailees are inadequate to cope witli tiie trouble. If your Board fare unable to help us in‘this matter of trying to work tho river with a steamer which' was specially built to suit the requirements of the port it means that we will li:ive To resort to the old system of lightering, and the public of Gisborne will have to hear the burden. Trusting .your Botou will give tlns. subject the consideration it demands.”

The Chairman said the river was very low when the trouble complained of occurred and tho tide was tho lowest known for years. He thought the dredge should try.and cut a channel alongside the breakwater. The Overseer said the channel would have to be dredged all over or snt \voii:d collect. The cost of fixing the dredge up to work from the break- " h,.- 1 ' 11 ho very costly. the Chairman moved that' the Overseer be empowered to dredge from the breakwater by working the crane irom the dredge on a truck along the breakwater. Mi\ Whinray said he was sorry tlie Board could not see its way to invest in a bucket dredge. The Chairman said the Board was getting all the information possiblo on the question of clearing the silt. Air. Sievwright said there was a bank on the breakwater side of the river, and that would have to be cleared away. , The Chairman & motion was carried,

Mr. Lysnar moved that tho Finance Committee bo empowered to deal with the purchase ,of launches to carry the silt out to soa. The trouble clearly showed tho necessity for an outer harbor.

The Chairman: The need for bettor appliances for keeping tho river clear. It will be ten years, before) there is an outer harbor. Wo will have to keep the river clear in tho meantime, and make the best of tho appliances we have got. Mr. Lysnar moved that prices bo obtained for the grab-bucket recommended by tho Overseer.—Tho motion was carried.