THE NORTHUMBERLAND.

Otago Witness, Issue 3804, 8 February 1927, Page 38

THE NORTHUMBERLAND.

DEPARTURE FOR AUCKLAND. ACCOMPANIED BY TUG. GISBORNE, February 2. The clamaged Northumberland, in company with the tug Terawhiti, left for Auckland at 10.30 this evening. The vessel is expected to proceed at about five knots an hour. RETURN TO GISBORNE. VESSEL MAKING WATER. GISBORNE, February 3. The return of the Northumberland at 1.40 p.m. created some surprise. In response to a wireless message the harbourmaster went out and took the ship back to her former moorings; off Waikanae Beach. A diver want down, and found the mats inorder, but the skins were coming away from the sheepskin mat. The Fire Brigade’s trailer pump, which shifts 300 gallons a minute, was sent for, apd substantially reduced the water in No. 2 hold. It is understood the mats will have to be replaced, and, with other work necessary for the trip to Auckland, will mean that the Northumberland will stay here for about a week.

DOCKING AT AUCKLAND.

PREPARATIONS BEING MADE. AUCKLAND. February 4. The announceenint that the steamer Northumberland is coming to Auckland to dock for repairs prompted the Auckland Harbour Board to see whether the Calliope dock was long enough to accommodate the vessel. It was found that in its present state the dock was several feet too short, and work has now been commenced with the cutting away of a portion of the steps and shute in the recess at the top end so that the Northumberland’s bow will be able to fit into it.

The Northumberland is 550 ft overall, and the floor of the dock is approximately 520 ft in length. The fact that the vessel has a cruiser stern made the.position more difficult. Had the stern been curved the counter could have rested over the caisson and probably there would have been no need to make the enlargements. As it is some 34ft of bow will have to fit into the recess which is easily wide enough to accommodate it for that distance. The bow of the vessel slopes up from the bottom so that it will not be necessary to cut away the steps from the floor of the dock. The work of cutting away the concrete steps is not easy. Small charges of gelignite arc being used to loosen the concrete, thus making the work of the drills easier. Everything will be in readiness for the Northumberland when she is expected in about nine day’s time. Although the Northumberland is the longest vessel that will havg entered the dock she will not be the largest. The Niagara with a gross tonnage of 13.415 has been accommodated there, but her length is only 525 ft. Die Northumberland’s gross tonnage is 12.160. The enlargement to the dock will be a permanent one.