OAMARU HARBOR.

South Canterbury Times, Issue 2645, 12 September 1881, Page 2

OAMARU HARBOR.

A special meeting of the Oamaru Harbor Board was held on Wednesday last, to receive a deputation consisting ot merchants, shipping agents, and masters of vessels in port, regarding (he shipping of the port, and particularly with regard to two vessels, the Helen Denny and Ashmore, then lying in the hay. The deputation waited on the Board to urge that the vessels named should be allowed to come alongside the Breakwater to loud, the Board having objected to theirdoing so, on the ground that they considered it unsafe. Mr Burbury, of the N.Z.L. and M-A. Company, acted as spokesman, and said it was thought the Helen Denny, of which lie was the agent, might safely come alongside the wharf, but the Harbormaster had distinctly refused to allow it. bho was no larger than the Lurline, which had been loaded at the Breakwater, and the captain was willing to come in. If she could not come in she- must be sent to Port Chalmers or Tiinaru. If a vessel of the Helen Denny’s size, drawing only lift, 6in. could not come alongside, it would he advisable to know what class of vessel could come inside.

Mr LeCren, agent of the N. Z. Shipping Company atTimaru, was astonished that the Helen Denny was not allowed inside, as she was smaller than the Lurlinc, She was suffering delay as the Board had not boats to load her up.

Captain Euth said that he was sur prised when he found his vessel could not come alongside the wharf. ‘ He had asked the Harbor Master the reason he was not to come in, and had been told that there was not sufficient warps to hold her wh’n she was inside. He thought with regard to safety and the insurance she was as safe inside as out.

Captain Sewell, the Harbormaster, said his reasons for not permitting the vessel to come alongside was that she was too large. It was not only the coming in, there was the holding her to the wharves while she was there and taking her out when she was loaded. The port was still exposed to the full range of the ocean, and the range is so heavy that the vessel would either part her own gear or that of the Board. He could not run sufficient ropes out to hold her, and if the vessel was brought to the anchorage he believed she would tear it to pieces, and more warp than they had would bo required to keep her fast. When the north wall was run out this state of things would be altered, and the range prevented to a very great extent. He thought vessels of about 500 tons the largest that could come in at present. The Helen Denny might comedn to day and to-morrow they might not be able to hold her. He would not suggest that the landing service be reorganised, but thought vessels larger than 500 tons should not be brought here. He did not consider it safe for the Helen Denny to be inside one hour. The port was not provided with tackle for a vessel of her size, and if it was the vessel would break np. While the reclamation was going on the N.E. sea caused an eddy there, but when the north mole was built it would obviate that. He did not consider the place a port at all, but only a part of the ocean.

The captain of the Glenariff, a barque which had been inside and was got out with some difficulty, said that if he came here again ho would sooner load up where he was at present than run any such risk. The Chairman stated that he telegraphed to both captains, warning them that the port was not yet fit for vessels of their size. He had written home to persons likely to send vessels here, stating that any drawing over 15 feet, fully loaded, were not fit for the trade of the port. The course that the deputation should take after hearing the evidence was either to propose to bring the vessel in or not. The Harbormaster should be relieved of the responsibility’. Mr Connell asked the captain of the Helen Denny if he was willing-to come in, or whether he would stop where he was. and be loaded up by T boats. Captain lluth said he was quite prepared to come in and load up to 14 or 15 feet. lie would not be frightened at the range from a westerly' wind. He had broken bis hawser pipes at Ly ttelton and Auckland. In the latter harbor he had lost a chain and anchor. Here the vessel would be moored by ropes, which do not snap like chains. The deputation, having considered the question, handed the following resolution' to the Board—“ That the Harbor Board bo requested to bring the Helen Denny in alongside the Breakwater." The Board then passed a resolution

that the vessel ho brought in, the resolution narrating the circumstances under which it was passed, and relieving the Harbormaster of responsibility.