GREAT BUNKERING SCHEME.

Otago Daily Times, Issue 16916, 31 January 1917, Page 4

GREAT BUNKERING SCHEME.

Half a million sterling is tho amount which the Union Company proposes to . spend in transforming Bail's Head, Sydney harbour, into the greatest bunkering etation south of the. line. The scheme is the joint arrangement of the Union Company and the Federal Steam Navigation Company, and the idea ia to make a. depot which will carry stocks of coal of 60,000 tons upwards, in addition to 12,000 tons of fuel oil. From what can foe ascertained, an area ol a httlo ovorithroo acres has boon leased from the Government, and it is by no means unhkoly that this will have to be extended aa time goes on. It is estimated 8000 tons of spoil will be shifted. Two large jetties are provided for. These will bo 520 ft and 480Et long giving ample accommodation for ships of the maximum tonnage likely to go to Sydney There will bo a depth of 30ft alongside the wharf at low-water springs Jett"* Trill ffivo a depth of 60ft.' " **. t™!' ""» bo seen 'that deep-draughted ships wdl have no difficulty in securing berthing space. There is something entirely new about the wholo thing. For instance; two colliers will bo. discharged, while three or perhaps four, large eteamors aro takintr in bunkers. The ooal is to bo taken from the colliers by mechanical grabs, and then sent along the frontage to tho belts. This stack, by means of rubber-convoying- machinery, will be driven by electric power. No waste, or practically none, can occur, as the rubber belts aro so mado as to reduce tho possibility of loss in this direction to the'