SHIPPING DEVELOPMENT IN INDIA

Hokitika Guardian, 9 March 1928, Page 1

SHIPPING DEVELOPMENT IN INDIA

KING GEORGE DOCKS. Every ellort is being made to prepare' for the admission of water into King ’ George’s Dock in the first part of 1928. An interesting ieature, on which work > is being pushed as rapidly as possible, ~ is the pier at the river mouth of the lock entrance. -Many types of construction for this pier were considered, hut it was finally deckled to carry it on I small monoliths with a strong steel superstructure to carry the dock and t , withstand the shocks from ships coming alongside. The graving docks alongside the lock are less advanced than the latter, and it is not expected that they will be completed until after tlie lock is in use. During the latter part ot 1928, it is hoped, dredging wtirk will lie in progress at the river mouth ot the lock, and then it will lie possible to loreeast the date for tho opening of the docks to traffic. The engineers have, during the construction period, had to undertake a great deal of work which was incidental to the project. Quarters have had to he maintained for the accommodation oi 8,000 men. Brickfields for the manufacture of 04 million bricks per annum have had to be provided and worked, and it is a remarkable fact that tbe railway system in connection with King George’s Dock lias, for some years, bandied a tonnage approaching that of the merchandise which the Tort Commissioners have handled on their railway in connection with the trade of the port. These activities will shortly begin to dwindle as the completion date for the project approaches. The caissons which are to carry out the functions of dock gates are in course of construction on the floor of the lock. Tlie caisson is really a large steel box. which will he hauled backwards and forwards by hydraulic power across the lock entrance, to open and elo.'C it. The faces of the groove' hi which these caissons will travel :.re being formed of Cornish granite, polished to a fine surface with an extreme degree of accuracy. It will lie possible to float the caisson out of its groove- and manoeuvre it about as though it were a ship, hut its normal function will lie to travel backwards and forwards in its groove as ships pass in and out of the docks. The caissons have to be of very strong construction, capable of withstanding a. water pressure of about 2,500 tons each, and one of the main problems in connection with them is to design them I with sufficient strength for this innpose, and. at the same time, light enough to float when they have to lie moved to other positions. Three caissons of this type are under construction. as well as two others of a totally different type, known as ship caissons, which have to he floated away every time a ship passes in or out.