A Look At Our Port

A port is a complex business. And Port Nelson is no exception. Administered by the Nelson Harbour Board, Port Nelson is rapidly expanding and is a vital outlet for the province's products. Last year 170, 213 tons of cargo was offloaded here and 437,000 tons loaded. More than a million and a half cases of fruit were loaded direct into overseas vessels and 336, 790 tons of timber, including logs and wood chips, were handled. Amid this constant traffic, development of facilities continues and in this feature on the port we endeavoured to picture the variety of activities associated with shipping. There are hundreds of people involved with the smooth flow of port business and while it is impossible to mention them all, some of the personalities are included. We would like to thank the Nelson Harbour Board for its assistance, without which this illustrated article would not have been possible.

On her way to load cargo for the United Kingdom is the Icenic, her stern riding well above the water

Sunset, and the dredge, Tasman Bay, offer a sharp silhouette against the brilliance of the last rays of the sun

Like a mighty washing machine the propeller of the Icenic churns water as she berths

An unladen cargo net swings aloft after being emptied in the bowels of the United Kingdom-bound Icenic

Organised efficiency as cargo is handled from wharf to ship

Lamb carcases being stacked in a refrigerated hold of the Icenic

Who said wharfies don't work hard? Or was this effort just for show? Against union principles?

Hold it right there, says hatchman Danti Ercolano

Like a gigantic claw a lumberjack reaches for logs before stockpiling them en route Japan

Sheet piling in progress near Nelson Fisheries. The piles are raised high by the crane before being set in position and driven home with a steam powered hammer. That arm signalling to crane driver Ross Heath belongs to harbour board assistant engineer Richard Wells

The amount of foundation work involved in berth construction is indicated here. When completed this extension of McGlashen Quay, for a tug berth, will carry little evidence of the pre-stressed braces and beams which add enormous strength to the construction

Large machinery is dwarfed by the pile of chips ready for loading for Japan

Nelson Harbourmaster Gilbert Inkster agilely ascends a ladder to board the Icenic prior to bringing her into port. The sea was fairly calm on this occasion but on a rough day this would be a tricky undertaking

Harbourmaster Gilbert Inkster, right, and skipper of the pilot launch, Bryan Stewart, trying to contact the ship they are to assist into port

The tug Wakatu assisting the Holmdale to the slip

Tug skipper Captain Laurie Carr

Even after activities cease on the waterfront, work continues. Part of that work is security. Night-watchman Paddy Smith shines his torch into a dark corner, checking all is secure

Regular radio checks are among the night-watchman's chores and Paddy obliges

General manager of the harbour board, Mr W. H. Parr

Harbour board engineer Mr D. Calwell

Popular men on pay day are Harold Smith and Frank Johnson (nearest camera)

Fitter and turner Noel Turner operating a lathe

Mick Webby has been a fitter and turner with the board for 18 years

Carpenter Ken Sellers at work in the board's workshop

Great gollups of mud are dumped aboard the dredge, Tasman Bay, as sections of the port are deepened

The Nelson Harbour Board was the first in this country to open its committee meetings to the public. This is one of those meetings and this is probably the first photograph published of a harbour board committee at work. From left, Messrs H. Hawkins (Richmond), I. Rankin (Motueka), G. P. Dixon (Wakapuaka), P. S. Boyes (Nelson City), J. W. Baigent (Nelson City), D. S. Max (Waimea). The chairman is Mr J. H. Brunt and with him is Mr Parr

Chairman of the Harbour Board, Mr Bunt, left, discusses fruit export with Messrs K. Kiddle, deputy chairman of the N.Z. Apple and Pear Marketing Board and P. M. Turner, export manager of the board

The Holmdale emerges from the water as steel ropes stretch taut

Another view of the sheet piling project. The piles are transported to the site on the pontoons at right. Also at right is the hammer used to pound the piles in

Ron Scoles keeps a careful eye on progress of the Holmdale

Deputy harbourmaster, Dick King, aboard the Holmdale as she heads for the slip

Slip winch driver, Norm Logan, is all concentration

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The Nelson Photo News

No 124 : March 6, 1971

A Look At Our Port