THE CALLIOPE DOCK.

Otago Witness, Issue 2812, 5 February 1908, Page 12

THE CALLIOPE DOCK.

CAPTAIN BRIDSON'S COMPLAINTS.

SYDNEY IN PREFERENCE TO AUCKLAND, (Fe.014 Otra Own CoBSEsroNDiNT.)

AUCKLAND, January 23.

The criticism of the management of the Calliope Dock by Captain Bridson, of H.M.3. Challenger, leaves the Auckland Harbour Board several points to consider. I send you the full text of Captain Brideon's letter containing his reasons for inquiry whether there was any probability of the dock by-laws being revised. The communication, as read at the meeting of the board, was as follows: — "My reason for making thk inquiry is that in my report to the Commander-in-Chief I feel it my duty under the present conditions to recommend (1) that, if practicable, H.M. ships on the station should be docked at Sydney in preference to Auckland, where the whole responsibility is thrown upon the captain ; (2) that an entry be added to the official dock book, published by the hydrographical department for general information as follows: — 'The Harbour Board at Auckland declines all responsibility for d^nage done to the dock or the property of the dock or to the ship, which responsibility rests upon the captain or owner of the ship in dock. No permanent docking official is employed for decking and shoring, and this work has to be done by local contract. Ships intending to dock accept great risk unless fully satisfying themselves beforehand of ihe efficient state of the dock and appuitenances and of the reliability of the contractor.' "

Captain Bridson said he also wished to point out in accepting responsibility : (1) The dock-gate has not been examined externally below water einoe the dock was built; (2) t/hat no pontoon is provided to protect it on the outside (this point is mentioned, as whilst the Challenger was in dook a large ship was permitted, presumably by the Harbour Board, but without informing the Challenger, to make fast to the pier with her stern a few feet from the caisson, which, had an accident oocurred, might have caused the flooding of the dook ; the ship was directed by the commanding officer of the 'Challenger to leave; in the event of injury to the caisson causing damage to the ship in dotik it is not considered that the^Harbour Board would be relieved from responsibility under article 183) ; (3) that there being no regular official attached to the dock-yard for docking 1 ships the work has to be done by private contract, and as no guarantee is given that the work will be properly performed ships are obliged to tru6t to such local information as they can obtain ; (4) that the Harbour Board refuses to accept responsibility under article 183, vc*t by article 203 it is endeavoured to place the ship under the orders of the dockmaster, who is necessarily irresponsible. Although the advice of th>.s official is acceptable, vet his interference with the captam cannot be permitted. The letter continued : " Under article 186 the ship in dock is responsible for the dock and adjoining property, yet there appears to be no system of policing the dockyard, and the public would seem to have access as they please, which mieht lead to tampering w ith the shores, machinery, etc. Though sentries can be provided by a man-of-war to prevent the entry of unauthorised persons, it is obviously beyond) the resources of a merchant ship to do so. It is assumed that articles 184 (second part), 188, and 192 do not apply to H.3VI. ships. It is my opinion that if the Harbour Board continues to permit the dockinsr of ships by officers who are but amateurs, and local shipbuilders who are not professionals, and does not keep a permanent official responsible to it for blooks, shores, gate, etc, serious damage must be expected at times to the ship and to the valuable dock (as recently occurred)."

In concluding, Captain Bridson made the following suggestions : — (1) That the dock should be in charge of a reliable man, in the permanent employment of the Harbour Board, which owns the dock, and who would be also responsible to the Harbour Board that the blocks, gate, shores, and all appurtenances are in good order (N.B, — In the event of damage to a ship or the dock each case would have to be dealt with separately. and the responsibility fixed upon whichever side was to blame for it) ; (2) that the dockinsr and ehorinpr of the vessel, at present dono br tho contractor, should be controlled by the above official, who should be an experienced docker. In the case of a man-of-war coming into the dock the extra number of shores and the smaller distance *-part of

the chocks required by her structure would be previously made known to this official by the naval authorities; 13) that one or two gatekeepers or police should be provided by the. Harbour Board. In conclusion, I would like to express my thanks to the Harbour Board for its courtesy in giving me every facility under its by-laws, and to the harbourmaster for the assistance which he so readily gave at all times.

DOCKMASTER/S BEPORT.

The dockmaster (Captain A. Duder) eubuiitted the following report in regard to Captain Bridson'e letter: — "Most of the matter contained in Captain Bridson's letter being a criticism of the board* docking by-laws I have no opinion to offer thereon. H.M.CSI. Iris was given permission to berth at the dock pier, as stated, on a perfectly fine day to examine and fill watertanks, and without, in my opinion, and ' presumably Captain Sharpe's also, any risk whatever of damage to either vessel or the dock, the steamer being in charge of Pilot Sainty, and a most handy and well-equipped vessel to berth. The commanding officer of the Challenger was advised that he could place sentries at the gates if he wished to. The dock-gate outside, being under water, has not been examined, as stated, nor oan it reasonably be until there are some means of handling it, which will be provided by the large sheerlegs now under erection. I demur from the statement that ships are docked by officers who are amateurs, or that some, at anyrate, of our local master shipwrights are not professionals. Harbour officers are always available to take ships into dock if required, and to taJie in and out all the foreign merchant vessels. H.M.C.S. Iris frequently goes to and from the dock pier, and has never done any dama#e."

Captain Bridson's letter and the dockmaster's report were both referred to the board in committee.