NEW WHARF.

Taranaki Daily News, 22 April 1922, Page 7

NEW WHARF.

- PORT OF NEW PLYMOUTH. -- PLANS FOR CONSTRUCTION. APPROVED IN CONCRETE, A. plan showing the general lay-out of the proposed new wharf was submitted to yesterday’s meeting of the New Plymouth Harbor Board by the consulting engineers (Messrs. Blair Mason, Lee and Owen). In an accompanying report the engineers stated: The plan shows a wharf 850 feet long, and designed for an ultimate width of 240 feet, of which only that portion, on the west side is proposed to be built at present. This portion of the wharf has a width of 83ft 6in between centres of outside piles and a length of 850 feet. On the west side, which will be the berth for the deep sea vessels, the soundings show depths varying from 27 feet to 31 feet for a length of 600 feet and 30 feet to 1 foot for the balance of the distance. This shoal portion is being dredged to 20 feet low water, and later the whole of the berthage will be deepened to 33 feet in accordance with the hoard’s instructions. MAXIMUM BERTHAGE. In order to obtain the maximum amount of berthage it is proposed to use the east side of the wharf, which, with very little dredging, will be available for berthing vessels of the coastal and intercolonial trade, such as the Corinua (235 ft long), Kaitangata (279 ft long) and Kaitoke (331 ft long), and also give sufficient room near the root of the wharf for the Thomas King, fishing craft and launches. It is not proposed to dredge a swinging basin opposite this portion of the wharf, but only sufficient berthage room to allow vessels to lie afloat at low water. The shoal water shown in this berthage at a distance of 250 feet from the end of the wharf is, 1 we believe, the remains of the wreck of the s.s. Hawera. On both sides of this shoal the water deepens to 17 and 20 feet. On the plan is shown the approximate position of vessels that could be berthed alongside the proposed wharf. Railway communication is provided on both sides of the wharf. A shed 35 feet wide could be erected if found advisable. This shed, being on the level of the wharf deck, would not be convenient for loading drays unless fitted with a travelling crane to load the vehicular traffic in the sheds. The wharf would be flush decked level with the rails and spring piles provided along the face of the berthage.

FUTURE WIDENING. The future extensions of the wharf provide for a total width of 240 ft with deep water berthage on each side, together with such equipment as sheds (4 in number, 57ft wide by 320 ft long), electric overhead travelling cranes for stacking cargo in the sheds and gauntry cranes for working into and out of the ships’ holds and railway trucks. On each side of the wharf there will be two lines of rails, and between the sheds a 60ft roadway with the gradients so arranged to provide a loading bank for carts at the back of the sheds. We have the details of the concrete piles and the specification of the pile steel completd. A copy of the specification is attached. The dredge Paritutu has been used to drive test piles over the site of the wharf, but owing to the annual overhaul being due she was unable to complete this work, which is necessary before the length of all pile steel can be ascertained. In order to get a start with the work we recommend that tenders be called for a small portion of the pile steel, particulars of which can be estimated from the results of the tests so far made. If it is found on completion of the pile tests that some of the steel is not of suitable length it can be used on other portions of the work. Mr. G. A. Lee attended the meeting and explained the plan. A motion was moved by Mr. E. Maxwell that the plans be approved by the board. This was seconded by Mr. C. E. Be.lringer, and carried.