THE HARBOR.

South Canterbury Times, Issue 3532, 1 August 1884, Page 2

THE HARBOR.

Messrs Jones and Philp, contractors for placing two screw moorings in the harbor, have made a start. Last night their employes were engaged on the wharf in constructing a frame on which to operate on the moorings. This frame consists offour large Oregon beams, well braced together and supporting a platform about twenty feet square. This was floated over to the spot where the mooring is to be placed, and placed upright and anchored, being sustained in position by its own weight, and by the bracings. To-morrow, most probably, the Using of the screw will be begnn* The process is a special one, and an explanation may be of interest. At two corners windlasses will be placed and in the centre a frame-work contain, ing nine strong stringybark capstan bars, Bound this will be rove ropes leading to the respective windlasses each of which will act upon the capstan and keep it moving round, the head of the screw being thus turned. The portion of the screw which enters the bottom, consists of a worm with a good-sized flange, and by the above process it can be easily fixed in position. The diffi. onlty of executing the same work in the old way by the aid of surf boats, was very great. It being almost impossible to get a steady purchase, the capstan bars were subjected to strong jerks which very often broke them. On the last occasion seven ash-bars were broken.