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Radar
Radar equipment has been fitted to the Port Health launches "Humphry Morris" and "Victor
Allcard" to facilitate navigation in conditions of bad visibility.
NEW TILBURY GRAIN TERMINAL
This installation constructed for the Port of London Authority commenced operating early in
1969.
The first 1,000 ton barge on the Thames, the "MERIDIAN", called at the 900 feet long jetty
on the 8th January to be followed by the Coaster "CLARITY" with 825 tons of grain from
Amsterdam a week later.
The first ocean going ship "M/V TREVAYLOR" arrived on the 18th March with a cargo of
South African maize and from that time the new terminal became fully operational.
Up to the end of the year 37 vessels had arrived with imported grains, their cargoes amounting
to some 868,000 tons.
Grain cargoes from the following producing areas have been discharged: Canada, U.S.A.,
Australia, Eastern Europe and South Africa, these falling into three main types: wheat, soya
beans and maize.
Imported grains received into the Storage Silos (Capacity 105,000 tons) are redelivered to
the various receivers by one of the following methods of distribution:—
1. Coasters To other U.K. Ports
2. Lighters To various Thameside Premises and Wharves
3. Road Throughout the Country
4. Rail " "
5. Flour Mills at Tilbury via Direct Overhead Feed Elevator.
During the year under review, the grain terminal jetty became a very busy area. Apart from
the ocean bulk carriers (ships of up to 65,000 tons can be handled) numerous coasters, motorised
barges and lighters were constantly being loaded or discharged, or waiting their turn to commence
operations.
As was to be expected with this type of trade, trouble with rodents soon became a problem.
Staff involved with the terminal had to devote a great deal of time in keeping the various infestations
to a minimum. Treatments, inspections and calls to the terminal became a daily routine
and eventually a detailed survey was undertaken and recommendations made as to additional
rat-proofing measures to be carried out in certain parts of the structure.
The various rodenticides at present available leave a lot to be desired when dealing with
this type of premises. The laying of poison baits to complete a full treatment may take several
days, and many hours are spent on each minor infestation sometimes with very little result,
especially when adequate alternative food material is available.
Whilst every endeavour will continue to be made to contain the various infestations that will
become established, earnest consideration will have to be given to the use of other poisons,
preferably liquids, which would work admirably in the dry atmosphere associated with grain
handling establishments.
By the end of the year the terminal was handling 60,000 tons of grain per week. It is anticipated
that this figure will be exceeded during 1970 with a further increase in the number of
vessels involved in the trade.
DISEASES OF ANIMALS ACT 1950 & ASSOCIATED ACTS
Mr. G.S. Wiggins M.R.C.V.S. Veterinary Officer for the City of London, has submitted the
following report:—
The administration of the Diseases of Animals Act 1950 in regard to the importation of
animals is the responsibility of the Corporation for the whole of Greater London under the terms
of the London Government Act 1963.
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