REPAIRS TO LINER.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXIV, Issue 19607, 8 April 1927, Page 10

REPAIRS TO LINER.

WORK ON NORTHUMBERLAND. » COMPLETION NOW IN SIGHT. AN EXTENSIVE UNDERTAKING. Rapid progress is being made with the repair of the steamer Northumberland, which was damaged through striking a submerged rock on the voyage from Auckland to Napier. The contractors, Messrs. Mason Bros., have pushed on the work with such despatch thai there is every reason to expect the work to be completed within contract time, namely, May 26. The ragged hole which gaped in the vessel's hull when she was docked six weeks ago has now been repaired with the exception of one plate, wnich will not be put in until the last moment so as to give access to the interior of the hold to the workmen engaged in rivetting. Altogether 21 new steel frames have been supplied from local stocks, bent as required and placed in position. Four damaged plates have been taken out, straightened and replaced, while six new plates have been put in. The latter had to be brought over from Melbourne owing to the necessary size not being stocked locally. The interior of No. 2 hold presents a busv scene. Conversation is rendered practically impossible owing to the deafening noise produced by the ri vetting hammers. 3SJo less than eight tons of rivets are being used in effecting the repairs, five tons having been obtained from local stocks and three tons from Sydney. It is expected the .vessel will be taken out of dock about May 19, and that the final touches will be effected while she is berthed at one of the city wharves. She will load at Auckland, Tokomaru Bay, Gisborne, Waikokopu, Napier and Wellington before sailing for England.