A CAPTAIN’S LAMENT

Hokitika Guardian, 27 September 1928, Page 2

A CAPTAIN’S LAMENT

NELSON PREFERRED

“WESTPORT OUGHT TO BE CLOSED.” NELSON, Sept. 22. ■Captain Kerr, of the Copenhagen, a Home-going cargo l steamer that made an unexpected call at Port Nelson for bunker coal because she was unable to get into Westport, said lie could not for tlie life of him understand why Westport (which he described as a dangerous port for any vessel) was kept open when a comparatively small expenditure on the railway would enable Nelson (a fine port and much handie’) to take Westport’s place as a coaling station.

“I have been waiting outside Westport since, last Sunday,” declared Captain Kerr. “Now I have had to come away because of bad weather, and as far as I know it might be another five days before I can get in there.” The delay would cost his company a lot of money, and the position was serious for the shipping people. Nelson, he considered, would lie an ideal coaling port, and Westport at this time of the year at any rate should be closed up. If any vessels were lying off there they had to clear out if a norwester or a westerly wind sprang up. The Trevornian was also lying off awaiting a favourable opportunity to enter Westport, and she too, had to move out of danger when the wind sprang up. The weather became very had and seas heavy on Wednesday, and Captain Kerr and liis officers had an anxious half-hour until they got under wav. Some idea of the sea running may he gathered from the fact that while the anchor was being got np a wave broke right over the chief officer, who was standing on the foc’s’le head, and knocked tire deck hands sprawling. “Why they don’t open this port and close that blessed Westport up. I don’t know,” said the captain in conclusion. Tlie Copenhagen is still , lying in the bay awaiting a favourable weather report before proceeding to Westport.