SLIPWAY FOR TUG

Grey River Argus, 13 May 1943, Page 4

SLIPWAY FOR TUG

Grey Harbour Addition ENGINEER’S PROPOSAL ADOPTED. The construction of a slipway at Greymouth to take the tug “Kumea and any other vessels of up to 12U tons dead weight, was decided on by the Greymouth Harbour Board at

its meeting lart evening. The proposal was put forward in a special report by the board’s engineer, Mr D. S. Kennedy, which stated: — “The annual survey and docking of the tug “Kumea” is again due this September. In view of the difficulties the placing of the tug on the hard (it will cost about £75 to prepare the blocks again owing to sanding up of the site) and the short time

that goes with tidal work for the hull to dry after tarring and painting, I feel that unless the vessel is to be again to Nelson, the building of a suitable slipway should be seriously' considered. “The drawing of the propeller

shaft and unshipping of the rudder can only be done clear of the tide as there is insufficient time to do this between tides. Again there is always a measure of risk attached to beaching the tug and the drawback of night work and the overtime entailed. “While on my holiday recently, I spent quite a time making a study of the slipways owned and operated by other harbour boards. These are all end-on slipways but so as to make a saving in cost, I now propose using

a side slio and it, I have incorporated the best’ of the various ideas that came to my notice. The proposals are for a free roller type of track with horizontal timber cradle resting on concrete foundations. These have been put forward owing to the scarcity of hardwood. The cost is generally higher than I had hoped for but "is due entrely to the high cost of necessary steel for the roller track and reinforcing the found if l tions. I have gone carefully into the estimate and have pared the materials 'required to the minimum consistent with good design. When, however, the cost of the slipway is compared with the Nelson trip, there is not such a great discrepancy and m twn vaai’c there would be a sav-

ing to show. “The cost of slipping the tug at Nelson was £436 10s 6d. A small proportion of the wages was spent at Grevmouth, but about £4OO was actually required to take the vessel to and from Nelson. “The estimate of the cost of constructing a slip is £625. The actual slipping costs would be about £25, plus the usual engine and boiler overhaul alongside wharf of £3O in wages, etc., or a total of £55 if done on our own slipway. Labour for the building of the slip would be drawn from the quarry and dredge employees, with on carpenter from the works department. About half the cost would be in wages, and by a temporary adjustment of the staff no outside labour would be required. A model of the slip has been made to give members an idea of the proposals. If the work is gone on with and any outside partv wishes to engage the slip then I would suggest that a scale of charges be drawn up. It will be necessary to obtain the Marine Department’s authority to build as the slipway will be built between high and low water mark. It will be also necessary to obtain a license for the necessary steel. “The nroposed site is at the southern end" of" the lagoon wharf on the beach adjacent to' the extension of Gilbert Street. The anchor block for operating the slip will be founded on ~th4 e piece of land between Gil-

and the high water is at present a plan beforeMne 1 Commissioner of Crown LandiOslting that the board be given title to a portion of this_ particular area. There will be no interference with the future street proposals in this area by the building of such work. It is to be noted also that the slipway can be moved elsewhere if ever such a need arises by reason of future works. “In conclusion, I would point out that the board has the necessary cranes to provide the haulage gear and this alone is a great saving. Altogether the provision of such would enable the tug to be periodically slipped and the care of the hull would be a simple matter compared with the existing conditions. “It is a general opinion that had such a slipway been available for the “Westland,” many more years of life would have been possible from her.” , When the report was placed before the board, Mr Kent remarked that the slipway would be a source of revenue and of real service to some of the smaller vessels. The chairman, saying that he strongly favoured the proposal, moved the adoption of the report, which was unanimously agreed to. It was also decided to notify Mr D. R. Miller, of Port Chalmers, who had leased a boat-shed site on a year-to-year basis on part of the ground required for building the slipway, that the board had terminated the oral lease and re-entered the ground in question. It was stated that no rent had been paid on the site since 1939.