✨ Correspondence on Jetty Construction
NEW ZEALAND GOVERNMENT GAZETTE
(Province of Taranaki).
Published by Authority.
Vol. X] NEW PLYMOUTH, WEDNESDAY, JULY 2, 1862. [No. 15.
Superintendent’s Office,
2nd July, 1862.
THE following correspondence relating to the erection of the Jetty at Portland Bay, is published for general information.
CHARLES BROWN,
Superintendent.
Portland, 1st April, 1862.
Sir,—We received your letter of the 14th February, (asking for information respecting the cost, &c., of our new pier,) only last mail.
The cost of the work without extras for approach, &c., we are told was about £4,000, but the exact sum and full particulars relating to the jetty will be supplied by the Firm (Messrs. C. & D. Baillie of Melbourne) to whom the work was entrusted; we address them by this mail requesting them to furnish the fullest information. The Harbor Master of this Port has consented to report to you in reply to the latter portion of your communication.
We have, &c.,
HENRY LEARMOUTH & CO.,
Per E. DACOMB.
To his Honor the Superintendent,
New Plymouth, New Zealand.
Harbor Office,
Portland, 5th June, 1862.
Sir,—I have the honor to acknowledge the receipt of your letter dated 14th February, requesting information as to the erection, expense, and availability of the Jetties at this Port; and in reply beg to state that we have two Jetties of the relative lengths of eight hundred and five hundred feet, the latter is now 15 years, and the former 4 years old; and I have to remark that during the whole period since their erection, they have not shown the smallest sign of being unable to resist the force of the sea from the heaviest gales.
The depth of water at the outer end of the new Jetty is 19 feet, at high water springs; rise, and fall, being 4 feet; and the platform is elevated 8 feet above high water mark, and at times, the sea breaks over the outer end; but, in moderate weather, steamers, and vessels, under 200 tons, can come alongside and are secured to the Jetty by Coir springs, on account of the range of the swell. Guard piles are erected at each of the Jetties, a length of 300 feet; on each Jetty, we have 2 cranes, and 2 trucks, which run on tramways.
The timber used for piles is of Stringy bark, and answers admirably; for, although we have here, the “Teredo Navalis,” I have found on a careful examination, that it never penetrates beyond the outer sap.
A life boat shed has been erected near the outer end of the new Jetty; and the boat is hung by crane davits, ready for lowering in any sea, and the plan answers admirably.
The lighters here are from 4 to 20 tons; and we can work them at the Jetty five-sixths of the year; they are when unemployed, moored in 4 fathoms, where they remain all the year.
The expense of erection here may be estimated at about £8 per running foot; or, 3 shillings per cubic foot; the piles were iron shod, and driven ten feet; the nature of the bottom, here, being decayed lime stone rock, and trap, with a few boulders intermixed.
Enclosed I forward a plan of our new Jetty; which I trust may be found of use to you provided you adopt it. I may mention that a very excellent plan has lately been adopted here for the preservation of the piles from the ravages of
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Taranaki Provincial Gazette 1862, No 15
✨ LLM interpretation of page content
🏗️ Correspondence regarding the construction of the Jetty at Portland Bay
🏗️ Infrastructure & Public Works2 July 1862
Jetty, Construction, Portland Bay, Cost, Design
- Henry Learmouth, Provided information on jetty construction
- E. Dacomb, Signed the letter on behalf of Henry Learmouth & Co.
- Charles Brown, Superintendent
🏗️ Report from the Harbor Master of Portland on jetty details
🏗️ Infrastructure & Public Works5 June 1862
Jetty, Specifications, Portland, Harbor Master
- Harbor Master, Portland