"SAVE ANTWERP."

Waikato Times, Volume 97, Issue 1600, 31 May 1924, Page 10

"SAVE ANTWERP."

—-—. — oPORT IN PERIL. SANDS MAKE SCHELDT IMPASSABLE. Is Antwerp, Belgium's principal port and her only direct access to the sea from inland, in danger? Will Antwerp become as have Sandwich and King's Lynn in this country, deserted by all save small craft and but a relic of the great commercial port which she now is? It seems that there is a grave danger of this threat to Belgium's commerce being realised. In spite of reassuring statements and of efforts to clear the river of obstructions, the channel of the Scheldt up to Antwerp is becoming dangerous to navigation. Several big vessels have been totally lost on the dangerous sandbanks in the river, and now only vessels of moderate draft can go into the port of Antwerp with safety. The liner Belgcnland will no longer call there, and her passengers will be landed at Cherbourg or Southampton in future. The first intimation that all was not well with the Belgian port was the constant recurrence of casualties to shipping in the river. According to Lloyd's List, the number of collisions, sfrandings, and other accidents between October 1, 1922, and March 7, 1923, was 178, while from October 192(5 to last month 280 casualties were reported. 2 Feet in 5 Days. In the Belgian Chamber recently M. Pechcr, Liberal deputy for Antwerp, referred to statements that ships of heavy tonnage could no longer proceed to Antwerp. In reply, Baron Ruzette, the Minister of Public Works, admitted that navigation in the. Scheldt was becoming more difficult, but stated that dredging operations had been carried out and that the situation was "normal once more." This was towards the end of last month, and since then several casualties have been reported. There has been much comment on the matter in the Belgian Press. One recent article which pointed out the danger that threatens the port was significantly headed "Save Antwerp."

It is stated that the channel is shoaling to the extent of 2ft in five days, that the dredgers engaged cannot cope with the task before them, and that additional dredgers must be obtained if the channel is to be kept clear. Once the shifting sands in a channel like the Scheldt get the upper hand the task of removing the shoals is colossal.