DOCKYARD TASK

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXVI, Issue 23431, 22 August 1939, Page 8

DOCKYARD TASK

WORK ON THE TAMPA t PROPELLER REMOVED f DIFFICULTIES OVERCOME SURVEY OF TATLSHAFT After three da.tfu of almost continuous work at the Calliope Dock, the 11-ton single screw of the 6000-ton American Pioneer Line motor-ship Tampa was removed yesterday afternoon. The Tampa, en route from Sydney to Norfolk, Virginia, was diverted to Auckland last week with a sick officer, and experienced trouble with the tailshaft in very heavy weather when near port.

The vessel entered dock last and the task of removing the large propeller, which is 21ft. in diameter, was begun the same afternoon. More than 15 men, with heavy tackles and gear, have been employed night and day, Sunday night excepted, since then.! Extreme difficulty has been experienced in moving the screw, which had not been taken off for two years. The task was completed yesterday afternoon, and it was possible to begin the job of shifting the heavy tailshaft inboard into the tunnel, Where surveyors last night started to make a tlwrough investigation for faults. Action, to be taken to-day and the subsequent length of the Tampa's stay in port will be determined on the report issued bji the surveyors. Should fears of a fracture in the tailshaft be confirmed, a very large under*, taking will be faced by'.the workers, The removal of the tailshaft. from tho ship will necessitate the lifting of all the cargo carried in the after hold. 4; plate will have to be lifted from tho tunnel recess and the tailshaft carried bodily through the hole and nip thu hatch square to the deck.

CLANSMAN RETURNING DUE THIS MORNINtf COLVILLE ' MISHAP SEQUEL; VESSEL TO BE REPAIRED | Returning to port for inspection ami repairs after touching a reef at Capj Colville last Thursday, on a voyags from Auckland to' Whakatane, tha Northern Steamship Company's rnotoi'vessol Clansman is expected to arrive this morning from Coromandel. She will go on the slipway on arrival. The Clansman was put ashore at Otautu Beach, Cabbage Bay, on the Coromandel Peninsula, on tlie morning of the mishap, and difficulty was experienced in refloating her after temporary repairs had been effected. The company's Toa arrived at Cabbage Bay from Auckland at the week-end and tie Clansman was refloated on Sunday morning. North-easterly weather coming into the bay resulted in the two ships proceeding to Coromandel for the transshipment of the Clansman's cargo. This was completed yesterday, and the Toa was expected to leave there last night for Whakatane.