THE RIPPINGHAM GRANGE.

Otago Daily Times, Issue 13716, 9 November 1906, Page 4

THE RIPPINGHAM GRANGE.

. REPAIRS AT AUCKLAND. On tho voyage from Middlesbro' (England) to Auckland the steamer Kippingham Grange, met with an accident to her machinery which necessitated her putting into St. Vincent. ]|. was found that tho accident was to Ihe shaft, and Mr Smith, chief engineer of the steamer, and his stall' made temporary repairs which enabled tho voyage to Auckland to be completed. The steamer reached Auckland on October 20, and upon examination it, was found that one of her lengths of main shafting in the tunnel was fractured about 6in from tho neck nf the colliding, which necessitated having a coupling made to strengthen the shaft. This work was eulrusled lo Messrs A. and T: Burt (Ltd.), engineers, of Customs street,; and, after consultation with Mr Wctherilt, the chief Government inspector of machinery for Auckland, it. was decided to have a guu-melal coupling made—dimensions, 6(1 long, willi a. thickness varying from 3jin to sin. Messrs Burt had flic work put in hand, und pallcrnmakers were employed night and day getting out llm pattern, which was approved both by Mr VYelherilt and Mr Geo. (low, acting for Lloyd's, under Oaplain Clayton. Messrs Hurt placed the work of moulding in the hands of Messrs Kelley Bros., ironfounders, of Federal street. Mr Murphy, foreman brassmonlder for Messrs Burt, superintended the work and looked after the large quantity of brass and copper that was required to east, the-three segments, which weighed in the rough five tons and a-half. Messrs Burt had on hand a large quantity of ingot, copper and scrap brass at the time of securing this order, and nil the castings turned out successfully. They were taken to Messrs Burt's engineering works in Customs street, and there machined, bored, cottorcd, and filled together, and bored out to tho size of the shaft ilofn\ diameter), which was successfully accomplished. The work of titling the coupling to the shaft on board proved an arduous and most difficult tusk, owing lo Hie Heavy weit'lit and the limited spare in the tunnel tho squad of men bad to work in. The coupling was bolted logclhcr on the shaft with 24 2in bolls and ami lock-nuts. Tho whole work was carried out under the personal supervision of Messrs Burl's works manager, Mr 11. Justin, who is an Aucklander. and tho work vedects great credit on him and the staff of workmen employed: and 13 certainly a credit to the port of Auckland, because it is the largest piece of work of its kind that has been manufactured in the colony.