WORKS AT PORT OF BLUFF

Southland Times, Issue 23540, 21 June 1938, Page 2

WORKS AT PORT OF BLUFF

ENGINEER’S REPORT TO BOARD PROPOSED BEACONS ON DAVEY BANK Works carried out at the port of Bluff during May were discussed by the Bluff Harbour Board’s engineer (Mr D. E. S. Mason) in a report to a meeting of the board last evening. The report stated: “In the period ended June 3 the dredge Murihiku lifted 14 loads or 3715 cubic yards of material from the bank off the eastern end of the ferry wharf. During the month the dredge steamed 60 miles and consumed 60 tons of coal. It is pleasing to report that much easier material consisting of blue clay and mud, has been encountered during the last week. Maintenance repairs were carried out as required and a new canvas screen fitted at the after winch. “The rebolting of the understructure on the main wharf was carried out as opportunity occurred. A cast iron bollard in No. 1 berth was fractured because of the mooring of the s<s. Tekoa being left unattended on a rising tide. A heavy steel strap was fitted to the new bollard before replacing it, to strengthen it against such stresses in future.

“Four piles were driven, and caps, decking and two lower walings fitted for the new No. 1 dolphin. The light was shifted to the new dolphin on May 23. As the old dolphin was in a dangerous condition it was decided to remove it at the first opportunity., Because the job was going to prove troublesome in the tideway, I accepted the offer of the harbourmaster to do the work with the tug. I wish to express my appreciation of the excellent work performed by the harbourmaster and his staff .in removing the beacon. The job was difficult and great care had to be taken in handling this heavy, cumbersome structure, particularly when coming up the channel with the beacon slung overside on the derrick and in places dragging on the bottom. This work and the manner in which my staff tackleo the dismantling alongside the wharf are worthy of recording to the board. “To test the nature of the bottom to ascertain the length of piles required for the proposed new beacons to be erected on the Davey Bank, the tu& was anchored in position and the diver sent down. Equipped with a three-quarter-inch diameter galvanized pipe fitted with a nozzle and coupled to the tug’s firehose, the diver was able to probe to 15 feet from the surface o f the sand, without finding rock. This depth of penetration is sufficient for our purpose.” HARBOURMASTER’S REPORT The following summary of shipping arrivals at and departures from (exclusive of fishing and oyster craft) the port of Bluff during May was submitted by the harbourmaster (Captain N. Haszard):— Inwards.—Five overseas vessels of 26,116 net tons; six inter-colonial vessels of 10,259 net tons; 36 coastal vessels of 10,885 net tons; making a total of 47 vessels of 47,260 net tons. Outwards.—Four overseas vessels of 20,290 net tons; six inter-colonial vessels of 10,259 net tons; 38 coastal vessels of 10.944 net tons; making a total of 48 vessels of 41,493 net tons. “These figures in comparison with the figures of May 1937, show, inwards, a decrease of seven in the number of ships, but 11,024 greater net tonnage; and, outwards, an increase of four in the number of vessels of 10,635 greater net tonnage.”