DEEP MOORINGS

Evening Star, Issue 23093, 20 October 1938, Page 16

DEEP MOORINGS

EAST PACIFIC ISLAND EQUIPMENT AT MAKATEA Reputed to be the deepest of their kind in the world, moorings 220 fathoms, or a quarter of a mile, long were laid by the Bank Line steamer Forthbank for the French Government on a recent visit to Makatea Island, in the Tuamotu Archipelago, in the Eastern Pacific (states the ‘ New Zealand Herald’). The Forthbank, which arrived at Auckland from Nauru Island on Saturday night, completed the task early last month.

■ One of the chief sources in the Pacific of phosphate supplies, Makatea Island has very deep water close inshore and no berthing facilities are available for ships loading the cargoes. As a result vessels moor to a buoy, being held in position by two span chains running to a reef, the arrangements being similar to those obtaining at the phosphate sources of Nauru and Ocean Islands, in the Western Pacific. The previous mooring equipment was laid in 1932 by another vessel of the Bank Line with the master of the Porthbank, Captain Robertson, in command. On a decision being reached to replace it the Forthbank was despatched to Papeete to load new gear, and, because of the unusual nature of the work, to have grappling apparatus fitted to her bow. The weight of the moorings was extremely heavy, but the work was carried out successfully by the ship’s winches. At the end of each day’s work the gear was made fast while the Forthbank put to sea for the night, and the only serious hitch was the onset of stormy weather after five days on the job. Because of the exposed shore the Forthbank remained at sea for several days, but on her return she was able to complete the task fairly quickly. An indication of the heavy handling required is given in the size of the equipment. The anchor and the base shackling alone, weighed six tons, and a considerable proportion of the length of the moorings comprised Sin wire. The buoy itself weighed 22 tons. When the work was completed, the old moorings having been dumped, the Forthbank loaded a cargo of phosphate for Honolulu. She then proceeded to Nauru to take a phosphate shipment for Auckland.