MERRICK’S RUDDER

Otago Daily Times, Issue 26416, 21 March 1947, Page 4

MERRICK’S RUDDER

INSTALLATION COMPLETED VESSEL TO SAIL TO-DAY The installation of a temporary rudder on the U.S.S. Merrick, replacing the one which she lost in a collision with an ice-floe in Antarctic waters, was completed at Port Chalmers yesterday, and the ship will sail for San Francisco this afternoon. The new rudder, which is only about half the size of the original, weighs seven and a-half tons and was built in Stevenson and Cook’s engineering shop. It was completed on Wednesday afternoon, and was removed on a large trailer to the Otago dock, where the Otago Harbour Board’s 10-ton electric crane was used to lift it into a landing barge from the Merrick. The barge was then moored under the vessel’s stern for the night. The work of shipping the rudder, which* was carried out early yesterday morning, was done entirely by the ship's crew under Chief Boatswain Gage. The rudder was lifted from the landing barge on two running wire blocks, suspended from the ship’s deck, while a set of chain blocks, suspended in the trunk-way- which houses the rudder post, was coupled to the rudder which was then lowered into the water. The three sets of tackles were manned by the crew and the rudder stock was slowly drawn up the trunk-way until it reached the top bearing, where it was made fast.

The v/ork of connecting the rudder to the steering gear, and completing its installation, was undertaken by members of Stevenson and Cook’s staff, and occupied the rest of the day. Although it has only half the area of the original one, the temporary rudder, with certain safeguards, will enable the vessel to travel to the United States under her own steam.

The Mayor, Mr Cameron, on behalf of the city yesterday, expressed his appreciation of the excellent behaviour of the visitors during their stay. It was a pleasure, he said, to have had the men in Dunedin during the last few weeks, and he expressed the hope that they would take with them happy memories of their stay and have a safe and speedy journey home.