THE WALKURE.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LVII, Issue 18, 9 June 1914, Page 6

THE WALKURE.

SAFE Li BERTHED AT NEW PLYMOUTH. MORE THAN SUFFICIENT WATER AT THE WHARF. A STORMY PASSAGE. The hope which springs eternal in the human breast might have been forgiven if it had lately sprung a leak and oozed away altogether, for it liag been dashed to tho ground so frequently that even I tho most enthusiastic of "Walkure" I scare-mongers might have been pardoned for removing his hand from the plough and allowing the long expeeteß vessel to burrow her way into the port of Moturoa unheralded by him. Ho did not, however, and at f er strenuously crying "wolf" since May 10, he has been released from the necessity of doing so any more until the next time, for (he Waikure has arrived, and the day of false alarms about Waitara steamers on the horizon and coastal vessels in the offing has come to an end—for a time at least. Ever since May 10 every boat, from a fishing craft, to otie of the catamarans from the East End beach, has ibeen watched more closely than the dwellers on the far bank of the Styx watch for the arrival of Charon with (his boatload of summer boarders. Every craft, be she steamer, sailing vessel, four mast, three mast, or no masts at all, has been hailed as tho Walkrire, and the statement has assiduously been sent buzzing throughout the town that the basic-slag has arrived. The harbor-master (were he a less even tempered man) must have been driven crazy by the numerous enquiries- as to whether he was certain "that the latest arrival from Waitara way was not the long expected Home boat, or positive that the Rarawa had not sprouted a turret and became transformed into the 'Walkure. If Henry Brown and Company's whistle was blown five minutes before its usual time it was instantly heralded as a warning of the vessel's approach, and the dredge Paritutii could not cruise far beyond the end of the breakwater without running the risk of being boarded by a boat-load [of water-front watchers ' and welcomed by tho chairman of the Harbor Ttoml «r.d the president of the Taranaki TnnrUt etvl Expansion Liague.

Th»re h->« been .some excuse for the numerous fa'm alarms which have so freqimntlv disturbed the waterfront watchers, fer the arrival of the "Walkure" means mn-h to New Plvmouth and to Taremki. She is the first direct ocean-going Home steamer to visit New' Plymouth, and the largest vessel by many 'ons wV r 'i Vis ever been berthed at Mot. roa. Sle> brings the farmers of the dishict fertilises at a cheaper rate than they could otherwise <ret them, for She bar, cut out the middleman cost of coastal freights. And she is. softer all, but a forerunner of what is to come. THE HARBOR. It has been the boast of cnUinsi:t«tic believers in the future of New Plvmouth for many years that the town would one day be a port of call for ocean liners, and would provide communication with the world's markets for frozen meat and dairy produce. Despite the buffetin" of adverse circumstances and the jeers of the cold water pessimists and "stinkin" tisli" purveyors t,b?.v have persisted doj>!Vctilv in this belief, and labored persistently to cry.-t.illise it in aecoasplMtment. Tlicv have been faced with all the difficulties which beset those whose aim is high, and have had to combat the adverse circumstances of wind and weather and drifting sand. It was in -luly, 10(10, that the dredge Paritutu ushered in a new era inthehisi tory of New Plymouth's harbor enterj prise. It had for long been evident that | if success were to be achieved it must |be through a bold and progressive | scheme of work, done with a hand which would not lie, taken from the plough , half way through the furrow. Two rival | schemes of harbor improvement, or rather the conversion (jf a convenient sheltering place into a harbor for deep sea ships were evolved, and after due (deliberation that one was selected which has been carried now to a successful I issue. Tn the bold scheme which was then evolved one -big factor was the

purchase of a dredge, the l'avitutu, at at a cost of some £!,%000, and despite whispered forebodings of the sufferers ,from what the versatile American terms "cold feet;" the loan for its purpose was successfully floated, and tlio decisivo step was taken. THE DREDGE ARRIVES. After a period of expectancy, which is recalled by the arrival of the Walkure, the dredge l'aritntu arrived, and about July, 10, 11)0!), was put into commission. Her work was the da'edging of the harbor so as to form a deep water berth and swinging basin, and a suitable approach. While the impatient- among ui miay iiave deemed ilie work slow, the measure of its success is sufficient compensation for any seeming tard-inc'.-.v. PROGRESS OF THE WORK. For the last two years the work at the harbor lias been practically conlined to the deep water cut, and to dredging the berth alongside the out to a depth of 33 feet. Comparatively little has been done at the approach, because until a berth and swinging basin are ready, the approach would naturally be the last concern. It has, however, in the last few years been deepened from 14 feet 0 inches in 11)10 to an average depth of 21 feet (j inches in November last over an area 1200 feet long by 400 feet wide. The work to be done is the; dredging of the fairway to a depth of 25 feet at low water spring tide, and the completion of the dec]) water berth and swinging basin to meet the requirements of the most exacting of shipping companies. A DEFINITE STATEMENT. Just recently a ■definite statement was made by the Harbor Board, alter consultation with its responsible ollieials. The Hoard stated that the harliov would be ready to berth ocean-going steamers, steamers lit to carry the frozen meat of till' province to the world'- markets —in time for the spring of 111 13. This date is perhaps a little far ahead, and it was thought that the harbor would have been ready long helVre. but the statement was made advisedly and in full eognV-ance of the requirements of the shipping companies and the exigencies of the work, and may be taken as decisive. That it wav so regarded is evidence by Hie fact that it wa'immediately followed by a determination among fanners of the w.liolc of Taranaki t» build a co-operative freezing works to cope with the increased activity in tin- meal exporting trade which must follow the development of the hinterland of the province, and the establishment of direct communication with the Home market. The meeting* at Stratford at which it was decided to proceed with this project, were large and thoroughly representa-

■tive —in itself an earnest of faith in the Taranaki deep water harbor. SHIPPING REQUIREMENTS. There is a factor which has had much to do with the undue protraction of the period of expectancy as far as the harbor is concerned. The requirements of the shipping companies have been exacting to a degree. The companies have made stipulations which were never anticipated when the work of converting Moturoa harbor into a deep-sea port was commenced. These requirements are well-nigh complied 'with, and the Board feels that the berthing of the Walkure, small boat though she be as ocean liners go, will do something to convince shippers and the public generally that tho port is ready. During the time of the strike, when shipping throughout New Zealand was disorganised, a proposal was made that the liner Rimutaka should be brought to New Plymouth for d'iwJuirgo, and although, despite every endeavor, this was not accomplished, the Harbormaster was certain then, and is as certain now, that the big vessel ;could .have been safely handled at the I port, and easily .accommodated.

THH WALKURE BERTHS. The centre of attraction in New Plymouth yesterday, and tho Mecca of many motor-cars and other less imposing conveyances, from the humble 'bus ■to thte unassuming bicycle, was the wharf, at which tho Walkure was to berth. The big tramp was safely anchored near the sugar loaves, and about 7.30 a.m. she was boarded by the Harbormaster (Capt. Waller), and under her own steam was berthed at about 9 a.m., with the greatest of ease. She came in drawing 20 feet 0 inches of water, and there was plenty of depth to spare. The vessel was turned in the swinging basin, and now lies comfortably berthed alongside the wharf. Tho proof of the pudding is in the eating, and the fact that the Walkure has been so easily berthed augurs an early realisation of the day when, the harbor work shall have been completed and berthage provided for vessels of the magnitude of tho Niagara. THE BOAT HERSELF.

The Walkure. as she lies alongside the wharf, is plainly built for service rather than beauty. The hull, bulging at the bottom, is not shapely, and the steel .turret (wily device for lightening canal fees in the days when these were assessed by the deck space) is certainly rather nngaiiily, but she has the rough and ready serviceable appearance of the ocean vagrant, the wanderer from port to port, and her holds are full of the basii: -slag, salt, and superphosphates of which the farmer knows the value. OFFICERS AND CREW.

The Wiilkurc is a German steamer, and her officers and most of the crew are of that nationality. The commander is a frank and breezy seaman, with a smack of (he bluff Anglo-Saxon about him, and the courtesy which all seamen possess. The o'*if:ers are as follows: Capf: ; in, Westphal. First Mate. Meinhcit. Second Mate, Bartehnan. First engineer. Zinzel. Second engineer, Rust. Third engineer, Tellharm. The, crew number thirty-one. They ore all German seamen, except one Englishman, one Dutchman, one Dane, and two Scandinavians. A STRANGE SIGHT.

Tt is a strange sight, this big tramp steamer, with her foreign crew, berthingin a strange land, a messenger from the fllil World t the new. llcr crew speak a strange tongue, tint their methods indicate. what Kudyard Kipling illustrated | in verse, that the ways of seamen are the 'same the world over, and they bear the i tang of the man who spends bis life in | a tramp royal, "for to admire and for to see. for to observe the world so ( wide." It's ci:oi!«h to make any hardy youngster long for a seafaring life, j A STORMY PASSAHE. j The Walkiiro Irtd a stormy passage, and to this fact, the lateness of ber arrival is due. The hip's log, translated fiom Herman by a ; <i<ir -in • lint «t shows a record of b. Hies wil.li the clejmrnts. impressive l.'l laconic. On | March Id the vessel It fl Hull. She .passed has Pal ma a oil Mari'li -21, iHid 'reached the Cape of Hood Hope on April jlO. She arrived at Durban on April 111 jaiul took in ICO tons of blinker coal. This was (be only port at which she I touched. The first part of Iter voyage, a little under half of it, luul been uu- , eventful. but oil May .-.lie ran into a j very severe storm. This continued off I and oil until -May -2. when it In :-ame stronger. It .dropped next day, but 011 May It the vessel was again liull'eted by the elements and progress was .Oow. After an interval of fairly good weather the storms came on again on May 20. accompanied by rain, hail and lightning-. The ship rolled badly, and had to work her passage against wind anil water. This continued for two days. | the only change 'being the advent of 'show, and the rapid falling of (he thcrjinometer made the oUlcers fearful of icebergs. These did not appear, however, but 011 May 30 ami the two sueecediag days storms were again encountered. A hurricane blew, and thunder pealed, and with the high sea running the decks shipped much water. She won through, however, and 011 June 2 the tlierniometer rose again, and 011 Sunday afternoon, after a voyage of -Hi days from Durban, Mt. Egmont was sighted, anil the Walkure dropped anchor at -midnight. The rough weather which was encountered uftci' she left Durban was. in the opinion of the ollicers, solely responsible for the delay in reaching the port. The health of the crew was good, and there were 11' t> n!-. T'si.- i- ' present captain's tir.st visit to Xew Zealand. although the vessel herself was at Wellington in 100!) or ISII-0. THE HARBOR MASTER'S YIEW. 111 conversation with a, "Xows" representative after the berthing of the Walkure, the Harbormaster (Capt. Waller) wa» brief, but, as lie remarked, "-tiepi oof of the pudding is in the eating.'' ••The Walkure," he said, "is here. She has been berthed, a-, you nt, quite easily and in ample depth. She c-taie in without any trouble 011 her own steam. Thai's about all there is to say about it.'' OX THE WIIAUr. The wharf from an early hour ye-Mer-'dav presented a scene of unusual bu-t.ie. I AH interest w:is. el' conr*-, cent:- i in | the Wa'iflire.. and .wo .small hoa.'.s w! ' h were unloading 011 the other side 01 Hie wharf seemed to gaze blankly, at their big rival. The chairman of the Harbor j Hoard. Hh> S-.'/perinteudenl, of 'Works. ' the secretary of the Hoard, were all pre- ' sent, accepting congratulations from all j sides, and congratulating themselves that Xew Plylnioulh's lir-t direct, stcam'er should have been berthed'under siu-h auspicious weather conditions, for the sea was as as glass. Also 011 the wharf, or strolling- interestedly over the steamer, were various of the not.ibilia 1 of the town. Motor-ear* continually set down new arrivals, all anxious to see •'Xew Plymouth's steamer." The port may, and doubtless will, be visited by

steamers which will dwarf the Walkure, and overshadow her in ornament if not in utility—for that, seeingit.he cargo she carries will : bs- hard to da—but the lirsi is always the best, and the first direct steamer will never come to New Plymouth again. THE OLD AND THE NEW. The arrival of this boat is the meeting of tne old and the new, the merging of expectation in realisation in some degree at all events, for the Walkure is at least a fair augury. It is, too, a meeting of the old and the new in more respects than that. The interested ■spectators include men who have workstl for this day as long as they can remember, some men also who have inherited from-their fathers a faith in New Plymouth a-s a port, and again the irreverent rising {renovation who have waxed impatient IVom the comparative briefness of their ''pot watching" period and see the boiling with eyes which have not looked so \cry long on the labor which went to (he kindling. Back here also is to -be seen "another evidence of the old. At the root of t.h'j 'breakwater is a small—far too insignificant—stone, it bears marks of attempted upheaval at the hands of the youthful Goth, but it also bears an inscription: "Laid by Frederick Alonzo Carrington, February 7, 18S1." This is the block which was laid in the very beginning of things, when the dredge Paritutu was | not thought of and the Thomas King seemed a wonderful achievement. Frederick Alonzo Carrington knew New Plymouth before it staggered out of long clothes. lie was one of the men who laid out the town and selected the harbor.

I Beside the stone stands a gentleman who was also identified with the early life of the province. He valued the land for the lirst harbor loan before this.- stone w.u laid, and |lhe highest vakiatiou he put on any land, he tells us, was that of L'S per acre for the Waimato Plains. Taranaki has \ surely "grown some" .-hu-e th"ii! Incidentally, Oe recount ■ s<»aif of tkedoings of tile same Frederick .Alon,: ' ('arriugton and nam i f that -:lk- -how they cniis.-i round the coast in .search of a likely place for a harbor. What they wanted ' was a place, with land. If they had | the land they reckoned with the opti- } mism of pioneers that they could make ithe harbor, and they aiui their descendants have done it. Now Plymouth har!bor, to speak in parai.o-x was nearly made at Waitara, or perhaps it should J bo said that Waitara was nearly made I the port of the province instead of the I Devonian town, lint Frederick Alonzo I Carrington and his men had their boat J upset when off the coast of Waitara, and they reckoned the harbor there was too damp, and came back to New Plymouth again. So the name on the stone means quite a lot. The history of that name and others which helped to I make the province would fill many an interesting column, but this is the story of the Walkure. - I UNLOADING THE CARGO.

The unloading of the Walkure will begin at 8 a.m. to-day. and it will take quite a while to finish—some ten days, in fact. The largest part of her burden, some 3. r io-fi tons, is composed of basic slag. This has. all been sold by Mr. Newton King to fanners round the coast and down the line as far as Eltham. The 110(1 tons of superphosphates are also nearly all sold, but some will go into store. The 400 tons of salt will go to dairy companies in the district. All this produce 'lias, of comv. reached the port at a cost considerablv lessened by the elimination of coastal freights. None of it will leave the port to-dav. but at o a.m. to-moi-rov and every suceccdinr day until the work is linished a special goods, train will take it away down the line, the ordinary goods trains will take. more, and waggon-: will carry it to the costal farmers. CKLIiUI'LVriNG Till-; EVENT.

The arrival of the Walkure is to be celebrated in lilting style. A public dinner, under the auspices of the New Plymouth Harbor Board, will lake place in the Theatre Royal at 1.30 p.m. on Friday next. Invitations have, been issued to the M.l'.'s of lite district, memhers of the various local bodies, prominent importers and exporters, and the officers of the vessel, and admission will be granted by tickets to he obtained from the secretary of tho Board.