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64
NEW MOTOR LAUNCH.
An order was placed for a new 42 ft. petrol paraffin launch, in November.
LAUNCHES AND HULKS.
" David Burnett."—This launch was sold to the Boston Dock and Harbour
Commissioners at the price of £400.
Hulk " Hygeia."—The new hulk " Hygeia " came into use by the Medical
Officers at Gravesend on the 27th January.
Mr. Howlett, of Gravesend, agreed to take over the old hulk " Hygeia " at a
premium of £35.
The replacement of the former hulk has been a successful venture hitherto.
No sign of serious leakage has occurred and the thorough survey of the skin of the
vessel, possible as she lay on the stocks, gives promise of a prolonged utility without
serious outlay on this craft.
The question of " ship worm " was raised in connection with the former craft.
Your Medical Officer had previously worked out the upper limit of this seriously
destructive agent in the Thames and showed that the precaution of sheathing was
unnecessary.
The " worm " Teredo, a bi-valve boring mollusc, exists plentifully at the
Mucking, ekes out a precarious existence at the level of Denton Hospital and is not
found at the level of the New Bridge or " Hygeia " moorings. It is probable that
the embryo finds a lodgment as high up as Gravesend from time to time. The
factors in elimination of the worm are, first, the fresh water coming down at times of
spate when the specific gravity may fall as low as practically 1,000 at low water as
compared with a range of from 1,008 (low water) to 1,013 (high water), the variable
but customary extremes, the level of Gravesend being at the fringe of the fresh
water at lowest tides, and secondly the muddy churning which occasions the blocking
of the syphon tubes on which the animal depends for its respiratory processes. The
original data have at various times been of practical interest to the Port of London
Authority, and to the British Museum Authorities with whom my original specimens
of ship worm and borings are now deposited.
DAMAGES TO LAUNCHES AND HULKS.
On the 17th January, the ss. " Golfer " fouled the mooring chains of the
mooring barge " Ella Vicars," at East Greenwich, slightly damaging the bows.
After an inspection it was found that the damage was not serious ; no further steps
were taken in the matter.
On the 16th February, the barge " Olive " collided with the " Ella Vicars,"
doing damage to the starboard quarter saddle and sternpost. The owners of the
" Olive " carried out the repairs to my satisfaction.
On the 22nd February, the barge " David " broke adrift and went athwart
the hulk " Hygeia," necessitating an examination of the moorings. The owners
settled the account—£10.
On the 22nd February, while boarding the Ketch " Henrietta," the eyebolt
of the port quarter of the launch " Lady Truscott " caught the quarter plank of
the " Henrietta," causing slight damage to the ketch. I agreed with the owners
to a payment of £5 in compensation of the damage.
On the 16th March, the barge " Nellie Moore " went athwart the forward
moorings of the hulk " Hygeia " and remained there for about four hours during
the flood tide. The moorings were overhauled, and the cost of examination of
same, £10, was settled by the underwriters.
On the 10th June, the ss. " Fox " had occasion to tie up alongside the mooring
barge " Ella Vicars," owing to trouble with quadrant. On leaving, the " Fox "
damaged the chafing piece and iron band of the " Ella Vicars." Damages paid
—£5 15s. 0d.
On the 18th October, the ss. " Coaster " did damage to the hulk " Hygeia,"
forcing the hulk from her station. An examination and survey were held, and a
settlement agreed on a basis of compensation of £75.
On the 12th December, a fire occurred in the engine room of the " Lady Truscott,"
the cause of the fire being due to a washer in an oil burner blowing out,