THE BEAR OF OAKLAND

Otago Daily Times, Issue 22373, 21 September 1934, Page 13

THE BEAR OF OAKLAND

NEW FOREMAST STEPPED Yesterday morning the new foremast was stepped in the Byrd expedition ship Bear of Oakland at the Victoria wharf. Two of the Harbour Board’s electric cranes were utilised for the purpose. The ship was taken to a berth directly parallel with the cranes, and the mast, 75 feet in length and weighing four tons, was brought to the wharf on a jigger wagon. The mast vvas first lifted into position on! the wharf, and was then hoisted by both cranes.to a perpendicular position over the ship’s deck. It was then lowered very slowly until the foot rested on the keelson. The mast was then turned until the foot fitted into the heavy wooden foundation prepared for it. After the mast had been made steady by driving; wedges between it and the deck, a start was made with the rigging. The standingand running, rigging and spars formerly on the pld mast will be used, and the old topmast will also be used. The lower mast, which was removed several weeks ago, will be cut down to make a new main topmast. This will be sent aloft before the Bear of Oakland leaves Dunedin for the Antarctic. The new mast was found to fit snugly, and only minor adjustments wilt be necessary. The new spar was sent from Canada to Auckland, whore- it was reduced to the approximate size, and then brought to Dunedin by the East Coast trader Waipiata. The final shaping of the mast was undertaken ,by Messrs H. L. Tapley and Co., the work being super-; vised by Mr R. C. Miller. ' - The last mast of any size made and stepped at, Dunedin was for the small steamer Progress, when she was . refitted for the coastal trade during the war period. As timber fronn Oregon; could not ■ be imported at that time,; the spar was made from a pinus insignia! trunk. This mast was longer than the one stepped in the Bear of Oakland.