EXTENSIONS PLANNED

Poverty Bay Herald, Volume LXIII, Issue 18920, 23 January 1936, Page 4

EXTENSIONS PLANNED

THE CALLIOPE DOCK NAVAL DEFENCE SCHEME (Per Press Association.) AUCKLAND; this day. An extension of the Calliope dock to accommodate two large new cruisers, the Leander and Achilles, which are to replace the Dunedin and the Diomede on the New Zealand Station, will be commenced shortly. Tenders for the work are now being called by the Auckland Harbor Board on behalf of the Naval Department, and will close on February 4. The plans provide for the lengthening of the dock floor by an additional 13ft., involving the excavation of about 1800 cubic yards of sandstone and concrete. The work, which is to be completed within four months of the date of its commencement, is part of a major scheme for improving the naval defences of New Zealand.

Calliope dock was constructed at a cost of £135,000, and. was opened on February 16, 1883. Shortly after, an additional expenditure of £20,000 was made to complete certain portions 1 hitherto left, The length of the floor of the dock was 500 ft., but with; the extra 16ft. width of the sill or sliding gate abutment, it was possible to accommodate vessels of 516 ft.