Ships Diverted From Westport To Greymouth

Greymouth Evening Star, 13 March 1948, Page 4

Ships Diverted From Westport To Greymouth

With the Westport harbour almost dhworkcble by coal ships as a result of severe shoaling, several colliers have, been diverted to load at Greymouth, while coal produced in Buller mines is being railed here to make up the cargoes. As a result, thic port will be extremely ousy during the next week, though one factor causing concern is that the depth on the Grey bar is also dederiorating. In the past week, the position of the bar at Westport- has deteriorated to such an extent that there is now not more than eight feet of water at low tide and 15 feet at high tide, reports the Westport correspondent of the Evening Star. It is almost six months since there has been a flood or fresh in the Buller river to keep the shipping lane clear, and a recent westerly set has resulted in considerable silting. Westport is now in the rather unusual position of requiring widespread, heavy rain to create the necessary freshes to clear the silt which has almost blocked the bar to coal-laden ships. Railing Coal to Greymouth

On Thursday, the Kakapo sailed from Westport for Wellington with only half a load of coal, and the Karepo, which sailed on Friday from Auckland, has now been diverted from Westport to Greymouth. The Kaimai arrived at Westport this morning from Wellington, but unless the bar improves she will not be able to take much coal out. The Kaimiro has been diverted to Greymouth today. She was on her way from Auckland to Westport. Because of the inactivity on the waterfront at Westport, coal is being railed to Greymouth for shipment. The- first special train carrying 650 tons will leave tonight. It is understood that similar quantities will be railed on every day next week. Work in the mines would have been disorganised if there had not been the rail outlet through the Buller gorge as bins and all available wagons are full, while at Stockton coal is being dumped in heaps awaiting shortage space. Position at Greymouth

While last year, it was necessary to divert ships from Greymouth to Westport and rail coal to the northern port from the Runanga and Grey Valley fields, this is the first time since just after the Buller gorge railway was opened that Greymouth has had to carry practically the whole of the sea trade on the West Coast of the South Island.

All is not well at Greymouth, however, and the depth on the Grey bar has been substantially reduced during the past month under the influence of westerly weather and the lack of river freshes to clear the channel. At the moment, colliers are unable to take full loads, being restricted in draught to 17ft 6in, about a foot below the average customary draught. The vessels diverted from Westport will also observe this restriction.

At present, the depth on the Grey bar is about seven feet better than that at Westpqrt.