FINISHED.

Dominion, Volume 3, Issue 804, 29 April 1910, Page 3

FINISHED.

COMPLETION OF THE CLYDE QUAY V WHARF.

A SERVICEABLE STRUCTURE. Barring a little cleaning-up work, the new reinforced concrete' wharf at Clyde Quay .is completed. The new structure marks a new epoch in wharf-buildinn in Wellington in two ways. Firstly, it is the' first reinforced, concrete wharf to ho erected in Wellington, and, secondly, it is the first wharf to project from the eastorn shores of Lambton Harbour. It shoots out into the harbour from a point between the City Corporation destructor and the boat harbour, at Clyde Quay. Laid duo north-west and south-east to suit the prevailing winds in Wellington, the wharf is" 559 ft. din. long and 63ft. in width, and is strongly built on the bestknown plans ; of constructing reinforced concrete wharves. For instance, the wharf is supported by 196 18-inch reinforced piles, braced and strutted with substantial reinforced girders, and. decked to a depth of 7Mu. with concrete, interlaced every four "inches one way and .I.Jin, the other, with Jin. rods. The wharf i>> protected all round with a spring rendering, composed of 117 ironbark piles (of an average length of 50ft.), which is strongly braced together in such a manner that if a vessel touches the fender at 'any spot, the whole length of the fender takes the shock, instead of one section, which may be depressed against the conorete work. This provision, it is hoped, will .absolutely-protect the new structure, from fracture by shock. The new wharf is made conspicuous by a reinforced concrete structure, which traverses the centre of the wharf longitudinally. This is a provision for the inside wheels of cranes that' were planned to travel both sides of the wharf, the idea being .that the side of the craiie would be-., supported on travelling' rails laid along J.he deck of the wharf. This elevated track, which carries a double line of rails, is 20ft. high, and.is built in the form.of a series'of:arches, each pillar (20ft. . apart) being the continuation 'of piles that have been driven down to - the solid. i The wharf has been blocked with Jarrah .blocks, 4Jih. in depth, the last section of which has now been completed. High gates guard' the .entrance to- the wharf,- - which ' is,, provided with a tol'H office, and. a .weighbridge. Boatmen's steps are provided' at the foot of the wharf..' ..';■■ The wharf has been constructed lor the Harbour Board by Messrs. John M'Leari and' Sons at a cost of ,£35,01)0.