PILOTAGE AT DUNEDIN.

South Canterbury Times, Issue 3129, 13 April 1883, Page 2

PILOTAGE AT DUNEDIN.

At the Dunedin Harbor Board meeting the Harbormaster reported that the barque Edwin Fox passed in safely on the 9th ult, drawing 21ft Sin ; on the 31st, the barque Monarch, drawing 20ft, in passing out at high water touched the ground three times, but did not lose her way. Pilot Kelly, who was on board, reported that he remained by the vessel outside the Heads for two hours, and during that time she did not appear to make any water. In the case of the Edwin Fox the sea was smooth, in the case of the Monarch, there was a little swell on. Pilot Kelly’s action in taking the Monarch to sea at the time is supported by Captain White, of the s.s. Waitaki, and by Pilot Patton and the signalmaster, who were at the Heads that morning, and whose advice be had touching the state of the bar. In the absence of the danger signal he (the Harbormaster) certainly would not have ordered the detention of the vessel, therefore in his opinion no blame should attach to Pilot Kelly in the matter. He would mention that vessels such os the Monarch, of- a short deep model, are not suitable for this port, and merchants would do well to avoid bringing them here. It is well known to shipbuilders that a short vessel will “send” fully one-half the pitch of the wave below her actual draught, while a long vessel such as the Wellington or Waitangi will only “ send ’’ one-fourth. Also, instead of 1200 tons of wheat—the cargo of the Monarch—they would carry about 2000 tons on a draught not exceeding 20ft. A report was also received from the pilot.