SHIP’S VISIT IN 1942

Press, Volume LXXXIX, Issue 27213, 3 December 1953, Page 7

SHIP’S VISIT IN 1942

OVERLOADING CHARGE DENIED Objecting to a statement by Mr F. W. Freeman at a meeting of the Lyttelton Harbour Board last month that the Ceramic had had to put back to Lyttelton because of overloading, the Shaw Savill and Albion Company, Ltd., in a letter to the board yesterday said none of its" ships ever left port overloaded. The letter said it appeared that the reference to the Ceramic was to a departure in June, 1942. Any delay in departure would be caused by the depth of the channel and not by overloading, as the vessel was not below her official marks. She -was drawing 33ft 6in. Mr A. L. Burk, the board’s secretary, said the harbourmasters’ reports showed that the Ceramic was the deepest draught vessel ever to leave the port. It had not returned for unloading. “I suppose I have to take the count,” said Mr Freeman, “but I think the company is overstating the matter and endeavouring the punish a member who made a slight mistake. I will remember a ship going out and having to put back, but it was the NewZealand Star, not the Ceramic. The New Zealand Star was drawing 33ft 6in too. I am sorry I gave the wrong name, but my statement was in the best interests of the board. “The fact remains that neither of these vessels could get in and out of the port today.” said Mr Freeman. Mr J. A. Cashin (engineer-in-chief): That is not so. Earlier, Mr Cashin, reporting on the dredging on the main channel, said that when soundings were taken in September the expected deterioration was found. Since they were taken the dredge had done five weeks’ dredging before being laid up for overhaul. Further soundings were taken on November 16 and 17 and they showed “a very reasonable improvement.”