PORT BOWEN NOW DISMANTLED

Timaru Herald, Volume CLIII, Issue 22474, 8 January 1943, Page 4

PORT BOWEN NOW DISMANTLED

Valuable Salvage Gained

The 8267-ton steamer Port Bowen, which went ashore at Castlecliff Beach. Wanganui, over three years ago. has been gradually taken to pieces and now presents a dilapidated appearance. Dismantling work is still being carried out, and the painted sides have been replaced with rust. So far plating and ribbing have been removed to the level of the lowest of the three original decks.

The main work at present being undertaken is in the bow area, which in firmly embedded in the sand. This part of the steamer has been used as an anchor for the larger half when it broke apart 18 months ago. There are only a few men employed now, but when dismantling operations began over 100 men were engaged. The only machinery left in the Port Bowen are small pumps used to keep water out of the main hold, but so far it has not been possible to remove the propeller shafts from their tubes.

These are twin shafts of solid copper. 30iin in diameter, and it is more than likely that they will have to be cut out on account of being bent. The last machinery’ taken out of the steamer is now being reconditioned, having been under water for almost three years. Machinery from the Port Bowen has been put to many uses. Some has gone to freezing works, some to meat dehydration work, some to hospitals, and some to minesweepers. One generator removed from the vessel was large enough to supply the full electric power needs of the Wanganui Public Hospital. , It if had not been for the war it is doubtful whether any steps would have been taken to recover the material in the vessel, on account of the expense involved. Because of the shortage of ships and the material that makes ships, and the fact that many fittings removed are almost unprocurable elsewhere, the vessel has become almost “worth her weight in gold.” Even the nuts and bolts have been carefully put aside for further use.