WILLIAM C DALDY - The Tug Boat That Saved The Harbour Bridge
In December 1958, the WILLIAM C DALDY was called to the rescue of the Auckland Harbour Bridge which was in the process of being built.
As engineers were floating the main centre section of the bridge into place it was caught by gale force winds exceeding 40 knots. The construction barge supporting the huge section became unstable and the manoeuvering boats could not maintain control. The WILLIAM C DALDY arrived and took up station. Her powerful steam engines provided a sustained pull on the structure for 36 hours non stop, holding the 1200 ton, 580 ft long steel structure in place until the winds subsided. A potential major calamity was thankfully avoided.
The effort required round the clock hand stoking of the boiler fires, consuming over 40 tons of coal.
|