H.M.S. PHILOMEL.

Poverty Bay Herald, Volume XLI, Issue 13304, 13 February 1914, Page 2

H.M.S. PHILOMEL.

TO VISIT GISBORNE.

BERTHING AT THE WHARF

Gisborne is to have a visit from H.M.S. Philomel next week. The warship's visit* .will be marked Avith special interest, as the vessel is to be berthed at tho town wharf, thus marking the first occasion upon Avhich a unit of the Royal Xavy- has entered the Turanganui liver. The Philomel will arrive on Friday afternoon* next, and remain until Sunday evening.-,- " On the 7th instf, Air J. A. AfcDonald, ertgineer-secretary of the Gisborne Harbor Board, A^rote to Commander Ballard at Auckland, stating that he noticed the Philomel was visiting Gisborne ort the 20th inst., and, instructed by the chairman of the Harbor Board, he Submitted information in regafd to the depth of water at the pbrt/*with a view to the -commander faA r orably considering the advisability of berthing the Philomel at the wharf, and adding that both tho Board and the public, would be pleased if* He could see his- way to berth at the wharf in the river.

Captain G. N. Ballard, commander of H.AI.S. Philomel, replied: "I beg td acknowledge the receipt of your communication of the 7th inst. I should be very glad indeed to berths the fPhilomel alongside the wharf if possible, but would like to let you know the following"'.points, which I am afraid make the proposition doubtful. The length of the iliip is Q6Sft, be&tt>/41ft.- Could we tu*n round, inside the harbor? I would not be able to take the sliip out of the 90ft channel stern first. "Our draught of water (minimum) is 15ft fonvard apd 17ft: aft. I believe high .water at Gisborne. on th© 20th woute be at about 2.25 p.m., and on the 23rd at 5.15 p.m., Avhich times Avould suit ns very Avell for arriving and leaving. Please give me probable depths of water at these times. Could Jyou let me know what Avill be the probable least depth ,of water at the wharf . between the 20th and 23rd, for, as you see, it would be a pretty close thing, and I understand the bottom is not soft mud, but hard rock, and as this snip is getting .a bit ancient, it is not advisable to risk, tduchunr. Again thanking you for your letter.' t To this Air McDonald telegraphed as follows : "You can turn round' inside the harbor. . Vessels ' up to 350ft long can- swing easily. -/H%a water' on the 20th 2 p.m., bn 23rd '4.45 p.m. Probable depth of water at these times 20ft 6in entering, and 21ft leaving. At wharf 18ft at loav water, silt bottom. Entrance channel rock, overlaid Avith 2ft of sand. Inner basin clay and silt only."

This morning Commander Ballard telegraphed Air AlcDonald : "Will come alongside ; arrive off Gisborne 1.30 p.m. oh Friday, February 20." 'Further detailed information is being posted to-dav to Commander Ballard, suggesting t'nat he should endeavor to arrive in the bay at 12.30 on Friday aijternoon, in order to enter the rirer before high water, and ttius facilitate swinging inside. *On the Alayor's return from Napier tomorrow arrangements will doubtless be 'p<t in hand to accord a fitting reception to the commander and his creAv. The occasion will also afford an excellent' opportunity to the school children of the district, to inspect the warship, which is to play a part in the Dominion's naval policy, arrangements, havings been made Avith/the Admiralty for the Philomel to remain in New Zealand waters as the training ship,