THE LAST PILE

Dominion, Volume 16, Issue 127, 14 February 1923, Page 11

THE LAST PILE

IN NEW PIPITEA WHARF GREAT CONCRETE STRUCTURE yesterday afternoon an interesting ceremony was performed in the driving of tho last pile for the new Pipitea Wharf, immediately to the north of King's Wharf. The fact that a great wharf, alongside which the largest steamers that visit this part of tho world will be able to berth comfortably, should project into the waters of Lambton Harbour at that point is interesting, because it was precisely in that spot that the trading schooners of the forties used to bo uneasily at anchor to discharge their varied cargoes, which were brought ashore near the old Macri pa on Pipitea Point. Maoris and pa, and shelving beach have long since disappeared, as the progress of the port has brought alterations to the waterfront.

The new Pipitea Wharf, a reinforced concrete structure, is the longest and widest wharf in the harbour, and the largest structure of its kind in Now Zealand, with the exception of Queen’s Wharf, Auckland. It is 948 ft. Gin. in length on the northern side and 705 ft. long on the southern side, the difference being caused by the angle at which it takes off from tho Waterloo Quay breastwork, an angle adhered to on all wharf construction in Wellington on account of the direction of the prevailing winds. The wharf is 186 ft. 6in. in width, and is to carry the largest steel and concrete shed in New Zealand. The concrete piles, of which 1067 were used on the job, vary in length from 40ft. to 72ft., and the largest of them weigh as much as 15 tons. The whole of these piles were made on the spot. After being cast they were left to mature for three months, and then driven into position —from 12ft. to 15ft. into the sand and gravel bottom. To make the structure quite solid, the rows of piles have, at regular intervals, been linked up by raking piles, which are set on an angle. Each pile was driven into position by a four-ton monkey, which, working with a 6-foot _ drop, struck twenty blows to the minute. From four to eight feet was left showing above high water, and of the hundred oiles still left exposed not one shows a top injured by the monkey. Any damage was obviated by capping the pile-lie:' I with a metal helmet, on top of which were laid some cement bags, and over that again an ironbark delley, which took the direct blow, and absorbed the first shook. Tt was necessary to leave so much of each pile out of water, owing to the truss work that was to follow. After a pile was in position the top was blown off with gelignite, leaving the steel rods exposed down to the low-water ■ mark. These- were then bent down at right angles to the pile, and become part of reinforced concrete beams which hold the whole structure together. ' The wharf is designed to carry 70 tons w'eight to each “bay” (20ft. x 10ft.), or 7cwt. to the square foot. The depth of water at low tido alongside the wharf is 46ft. at the outer end and 35ft. inside. Members of the hoard and the chief officials were present, when the last pile was driven by the chairman (Mr. J. G. Harkness) yesterday afternoon. Just before he touched the lever, which released the 4-ton monkey, Mr. Harkness said that what those present wore witnessing was historically interesting to the city and port of .Wellington, owing to the fact that Pipitea pa occupied tho land on the old point not far from the head of the wharf. When tho wharf was completed it would be of great importance to the city and port, not only of that time, but of tho years to come.. Some three years ago the board decided to go on with the work, and called for tenders for its erection, and tho price was so high that the board decided to do the work under tlie superintendence of its own engineers. The result had been an actual saying of £25,000. (/tpplause.) “I want to bear testimony,” said Mr. Harkness, “to the groat work which has been accomplished by the engineer (Mr. J. Marchbanks) .and his staff, and also to the excellent work done by the supervising engineer (Mr. K. Jensen) and his staff. Tho pile you have just seen driven was No. 1067 (the most south-easterly pile of the wharf), which means ths t 1067 piles have been driven to various depths, each one weighing from twelve to fifteen tons. On the wharf is to be erected a reinforced concrete shed, 760 ft. in length and 170 ft. .in breadth. When that is done, this will be one of the finest wharves south of the Line. I heartily congratulate all who have assisted in the work.” (Applause.) Mr. Harkness then touched the lever which caused the monkey to give the pile a final tap. Three cheers were given, and after viewing the extent of tho wharf, the party (which were accommodated on the launch Uta) returned to Queen’s Whaijf.