QUICK COAL HANDLING

Evening Star, Issue 17924, 21 March 1922, Page 6

QUICK COAL HANDLING

IMPROVED METHOD NEEDED. In tho event of tho success of an experiment now being conducted in New Zealand by the Union Steam Ship Company in converting a former' hulk, tho lima, into a modern coal-handling machine, tho work of similarly converting the barque Shandon will bo commenced at Melbourne. The Shandon has been idle at tho old railway pier, Port Melbourne, since she was bought, more than six months ago, by M'Hwraith, M'Eacharn, Pty, Ltd., on behalf of the Bcllambi Coal 'Company, of New South Wales. Tho Shandon was formerly a coal hulk, and -when purchased by tho Commonwijvlth' Line of steamers at tho outbreak of war was converted into a barque, at a cost of £21,000. She was sold last year to the Bellambi Coal Company for £4,000, tho intention then being, it was said, to convert tho vessel again into a coal hulk for use at Newcastle. This was not done, however, and tho vessel has sines Temained at her old moorings at Port Melbourne.

At present it is the custom to bunker steamers moored at cargo berths in tho river by the old-fashioned method of transferring tho coal from hulks to the steamer's hold in baskets—a slow and costly method. It is hoped, as tho result of the New Zealand experiment, to expedite coal-handling considerably. The Uma's plant was tested in New Zealand recently, in discharging coal from the steamer Kaikorai to the wharf, tho work being carried onfc at the rate of 120 tons an hour. The lima is fitted with a large grab of special design, controlled by.one man., A steel skeleton tower 92ft in height is constructed above tho deck, and from this extends over each side of the vessel a steel arm about 50ft_ long. It is expected that a definite decision regarding tho Shandon will be reached in a week or two. It is stated that tho work of conversion of tho lima cost the Union Steam Ship Company £IOO,OOO, the steel superstructure alone costing £25,0C0.