HARBOUR BOOMS

Evening Post, Volume CXL, Issue 60, 8 September 1945, Page 9

HARBOUR BOOMS

TO BE REMOVED

ANTI-TORPEDO DEFENCE

Necessary from the point of view of defence, but unsightly and inconvenient on any other score, the eventual removal of the boom running from Kau Point, Eastbourne, to Ward Island, will be appreciated by yachtsmen and fishermen. The pile obstruction forming the boom to Ward Island was designed to stop submarines which attempted to force their way through to the inner portions of the harbour. It was linked with another obstruction, not so noticeable, running from the island to the mainland in the vicinity o* Point Halswell.

In the second portion of the boom defences was the "gate" through which sea traffic passed in and out of the harbour. All vessels were checked by the "gate-ship," a converted trawler, as they went through the opening, which was closed as required by the trawler. The men on this vessel had one of the most monotonous jobs of the whole war.

A further anti-torpedo defence erected in Wellington was the buoyed net protecting "die vital dock —Wellington's most vital military target. At the time the buoys were being, unloaded from overseas ships on to the wharf before being laid in position considerable speculation was created as to their function, and.!-.purpose, .and not a few people regarded," with a doubtful eye the "mines" stacked up near the dock.