AN EIGHT-TON LIFT.

Otago Daily Times, Issue 20334, 16 February 1928, Page 13

AN EIGHT-TON LIFT.

PITCH AND TIMBER CEMENT IN SHIP'S HOLD. (Special to Uailt Times.) WELLINGTON, February 15. The Harbour Board’s floating crane Hikitea was required to-day to lift an eight-ton mass of timber and pitch which had become cemented together in a hold of the American steamer Dewey, at present discharging Pacific Coast cargo at the Taranaki street wharf. The pitch, which was loaded in California, was contained in drums, some o£ which leaked during the voyage, resulting in the pitch running amongst the timber. As it bad solidified with the timber, the services of the Hikitea were obtained to raise ore lift of e.ght tons of timber and pitch Horn the hold of the vessel. The Hikitea deposited the mass on the Thermion breastwork, where tho pitch will be broken away from the timber. The hold of the Dewey has been cleared of tho pitch, but pools on the Taranaki street wharf alongside the vessel have set hard, and the pitch viR have to be broken up to be removed. Before landing it on the wharf sand was spread on tho decking, and timber was placed to prevent the pitch from unduly spreading.