THE NEW SLIPWAY.

Poverty Bay Herald, Volume LI, Issue 16806, 12 August 1925, Page 5

THE NEW SLIPWAY.

VERY SATISFACTORY WORK

PILE-DRIVING COMMENCED

One of the most successful sections ol the new harbor work, and one that attracts least attention, is the construction of tho hew slipway which is situated abreast the inner wall of the diversion cut. ITp to the present practically all that has been heard of this undertaking iis in reference to the cofferdam, a word which, is more or less meaningless to a large section of the public. The cofferdam is merely incidental to the actual construction work, being a structure that is erected for the purpose of excluding the Water from that portion of the work which has to be carried out below water level.

The lower portion of the slipway is approximately 18 feet below low water, and much excavation, in heavy papa, had to Tie carried out to this depth. So successful was the cofferdam that even when the excavation was practically complete so little water was percolating through it was seldom necessary to utilise the pumps, notwithstanding the fact that on the shore there was a large quantity of water lying some feet above sea level. The main excavation has been completed, and a.t present the staff is engaged in cutting the trenches which will carry the slipway rails. The operations have been greatly facilitated by the use of two pneumatic spades, which have been found very successful in the papa, and the progress has been even better than bad l been anticipated.

On the shore end it lias been necessary for the slipway to be built up on the same gradient, and this, too, has been nearly completed, and the piles to carry the new powei 1 station will be driven. Wheh 'this is completed, additional piles will be driven right down to the exCaVuted area to carry the rails. For some time tile operations on the slipway were the cause of no small amount of anxiety, and tho present progress is a matter for gratification.