SHIPPING

Evening Star, Issue 20634, 6 November 1930, Page 14

SHIPPING

DOCKING DAMAGED SHIPS. EFFECTIVE WORK AT PORT CHALMERS. Tho science of successfully docking damaged ships was effectively applied at the docking of the steamer Port Nicholson yesterday afternoon at Port Chalmers. An essential factor of the interesting operation is the accurate placing of the blocks on which the vessel shall rest when the water is pumped out of the dock. The centre line of keel blocks is supplemented by blocks placed in the vicinity of the vessel’s bulges, and in addition to the location of the extra blocks their uniform height must conform to the curve of the hull in such a manner that the weight of the vessel is adequately supported without undue pressure at all points of support. In the case of the Port Nicholson a diver went down while the dock was being pumped out and adjusted tho height of tho wing blocks as the ship came to rest. The docking was witnessed by officers of the Marino Department and of Lloyd’s. Two new blades were being fitted on tlio vessel’s port propeller_ to-day, and one of the blades was being removed from the starboard propeller to be straightened. About fifty hull rivets were being electrically welded where tho plates were dented below tho port bilge keel. Rivets were being renewed at the bottom of tho rudder, which seemed to be slightly bent. The vessel will leave to-morrow for Nelson to discharge the balance of her London cargo. ASHBURTON POSSIBLY HERE TOMORROW. Tho New Zealand Shipping Company advises that tho steamer Ashburton arrived at Lyttelton this morning from Wellington to continue discharging. She carries New York general cargo for Dunedin, and she will possibly leave tho Canterbury port to-night, in which case she should berth at Dunedin about noon to-morrow. TELEGRAMS. AUCKLAND, November 6 - -Arrived. Bandalo (8.50 a.m,), from Ocean Island. Sailed: Kalingo (noon), for Napier. WELLINGTON, November 6.—Arrived: Maori (7 a.m.), from Lyttelton: Rangitano (10.30 a.m.), from Auckland. LYTTELTON, November 6.—Arrived: Ashburton (8 a.m.), from Wei lington; Paua (7.45 a.m.) and Totara (7.20 a.m.), from Dunedin.