THE RANGATIRA

Evening Star, Issue 22326, 30 April 1936, Page 3

THE RANGATIRA

PROGRESS OF REPAIRS WORK WELL UNDER WAY The hardest part of the repair work to the interisland express steamer Rangatira. which struck a rock outside the harbour during a storm on February 2, has now been completed, and the task of fitting new plates to the straightened framework of the ship is well in hand. The work is the most difficult and ambitions job of its kind so far attempted in the Dominion, hut no unexpected delays have occurred, and the progress of the repairs has been smooth <md rapid. Viewed from the floor of the dock, the damaged vessel presents an interesting sight. She is surrounded by scaffolding of all descriptions, carrying platforms on which stand workmen engaged in multifarious duties (says the Wellington ‘Evening Post’). Everywhere on the dock floor one must be careful where to step, as electrical cables, pipes, and tools of every description are scattered around. Electrical machinery, carried on small trolleys, drills, and welding apparatus also occupy positions of prominence. High above, outlined against the sky, are the giant shores holding the vessel in position. and lower down are additional huge beams for added safety. As the damage sustained during the mishap was largely confined to the forepart of the ship, it is in this part that the most activity is apparent. All the damaged plating has been removed, and the inside of the ship is clearly visible, the bulkhead being noticeable. A considerable amount of work has already been done, the reverse bars and bracing frames having been straightened, or, where necessary, replaced. Practically the whole floor of the hold has been reriveted, thus removing all trace of the strain imposed upon it. The forward part of the ship presents a curious 'and interesting sight, as it is possible _to see right through the vessel at this point. REPAIRING THE KEEL. The most difficult part of the repairs has been the straightening of the centre girder of the keel, which was badly bent, and was not resting on the chocks on the floor of the dock when the vessel was first raised. The damaged portions were removed, together with the plates in the vicinity, which had been badlv torn and dented by the rock. As‘'the keel is resting on chocks only a short distance from the iron clock floor, the work is necessarily cramped and difficult underneath the huge bulk of the Rangatira, and the workmen are forced to do the job heie under very cramped conditions. As is to be expected, there is very little light underneath the keel, and electric light globes have been installed to overcome this handicap. The No. 2 tank, located on the port side near the damaged keel, had to be extensively repaired, several plates being replacd' in the tank top, which was riveted all over. New shell angles were fitted, and stiffening plates replaced. Work is well under way on the replacing of the centre keel plates, and the keel is now as straight and true as it was when the ship first slid down the ways from the.builders’ yard. There is not so much activity on the starboard side, but a large portion of the bilge keel has been removed to enable repairs to. be made to the plating underneath it. BOW RUDDER REMOVED. The how rudder of the Rangatira, which is a well-known feature of the interisland steamers, has been removed and now lies on the floor of the dock. It was found necessary to remove this huge piece of steelwork in order to be able to repair the stem girder, which was twisted, and the rounded plate behind the rudder, which had also suffered slight damage. It is necessary to visit the dock itself to appreciate to the full the terrific clattering and banging emanating from the various machines, most noticeably the riveting appartus. When several of the riveters arc working together the din is so appalling that it is impossible to make oneselt heard. The high grey steel walls of the dock re-echo the noise, which is magnified in the chasm between ship s side and dock. Adding their mite to the general confusion of sound are powerful drills, hissing cutting torches, and a thousand clattering hammers. Although the ship presents an interesting and unique sight, one is not sorry to escape to quieter surroundings.