New Coal Chute Facilities Used On Grey Wharf

Grey River Argus, 2 April 1948, Page 2

New Coal Chute Facilities Used On Grey Wharf

General satisfaction with the new coal chute installed by the Greymouth Harbour Board to enable the small cranes to be used for loading was expressed yesterday when the innovation was put into operation for the first time on two large vessels in port, the Kaimiro and Karepo. The chute was designed by the Greymouth Harbour Board’s engineer, Mr D. S. Kennedy to facilitate the speedier loading of colliers. The chute i.s to enable small cranes to load the larger type of vessels. However, the use of the chute will still enable small cranes to be brought into use only on vessels of the class of the Kaimiro and the Karepo. The structural design of other colliers ir. the Union Company fleet is such that small cranes cannot lift the coal hoppers to the holds. The chute is of metal construction measuring about 9ft x sft. It fastens onto the opening in the hold about half-way across. As the coal hopper empties its load into the hold, most of the coal falls into the chute mouth and is directed to the offside and middle of the hold, thus equally distributing the load. Were the small crane put into operation without the use of the chute, all of the coal would then fall to the wharf side of the hold and it would then have to be shoveled by hand to the off side. For several days_ now trouble has been experienced with the hoppers of coal being sent down from Westport. In travelling long distances' by rail the coal settles firmly into the hoppers and jams tightly against the sides. When it comes to be unloaded at Greymouth, the load had more or less consolidated and much buffetting is required to empty the hopper. This has caused delay in loading. DIVERTED TO WESTPORT The Kaimai and Storm have been amount of shipping due at Greydiverted to Westport because of the mouth and because of the improved position on the Westport bar. However the Kaimai will have to operate on a restricted draught, as the bar is not yet in a position to take fully laden vessels of the larger type.