Dear Stephen, There is a similar photos of the KOMATA and WAIOTAPU with derricks rigged in similar fashion in the book "Union Fleet" by Ian Farqhar. There is a small note saying "In this illustration she is shown with her derricks rigged to transfer coal" However there is no explanation of how this system worked. This book also confirms a 1927 sale. Regarding signal letters, I think the more likely explanation is that it took some time to update shipping registers and info in them was not always current. Communications were not as good in those days! regards Ted On 20/10/2013 03:44, Stephen Davies wrote: > Dear Mick, Ian and Ted, > I have been overwhelmed by the instant, helpful and friendly response > to my enquiries. > > The collegiality of those interested in ships always stands out - as > if the deep secret of a 'happy ship' has become part of our lives. > > Mick - you have completely answered my query. Obviously the change in > letters was an outcome of the 1932 changeover to nationality linked > radio call signs. What is interesting and seems a weak implication of > what you write, is that the older, ship-specific code/signal letters > somehow hung in there, presumably until one way or another almost > every ship had also become a ship radio station. > > Thanks too for the additional nugget about the change in registration > date. That argues in favour of a 1927 sale - something that from the > records retrieved so far seemed equivocal between 1927 and 1929. > > I don't know whether any of you could help further, or know of anyone > who might, but the /Koromiko/ poses an additional puzzle that a 'grey > funnel line' and small boat sailor like me has no real handle on. > > In all the images of the ship save she has her main derricks pivoted, > as usual, close to the foot of the masts but also has, stowed > vertically down the masts themselves, four further small derricks to > each mast pivoted at the cross-trees. These were supported by lifts > that went to sheaves on the topmast. When deployed they stuck out of > the top of the mast like a four-petalled daisy (!) and I cannot work > out what was going on(nor have I found anyone I know who worked cargo > in the old break bulk days who knows). > > I am attaching an image of the Koromiko working cargo with these > beasties from an obscure Kiwi collection in the University of Otago > that I have stumbled on. It shows these additional derricks deployed, > though how exactly they are being used is another matter. > > Any ideas? > > Thanks again. > Stephen D > > > > Dr Stephen Davies > HK Institute for the Humanities and Social Sciences, > G08 May Hall > University of Hong Kong > > Office: (852) 39175034 > Mobile: (852) 66833754 > > [email protected] <mailto:[email protected]> > [email protected] <mailto:[email protected]> > > > On 19 Oct, 2013, at 6:36 PM, "[email protected]" <[email protected] > <mailto:[email protected]>> wrote: > >> Morning Ted, Ian and Stephen >> >> The only LR I have for that period is 1918, when I looked it up, half the >> page was missing (the half with the code on). >> But then I remembered the signal code is included on the Mercantile Navy >> List. >> She had the code T.V.S.P from 1907 up to 1929, her reg changed to >> Hong Kong >> in 1928. >> MNL 1930-33 shows her with two codes T.V.S.P and V.P.B.D. >> By MNL 1934 T.V.S.P is dropped she continues with V.P.B.D. >> She is listed in MNL up to 1936 but not after. >> >> I wonder what is a "modest price each" for LRs, might be worth >> looking in >> to. >> Ian maybe you could put me in touch with whom ever deals with LRs for >> WSS, >> Christmas is coming and I really have too many jumpers. >> >> J Lowe website don't know it or do I ? . >> >> >> Mick O'Rourke >> >> www.irishshipwrecks.ie <http://www.irishshipwrecks.ie> >> >> >> >> >> >> >> >>> ----- Original Message ----- From: "Ted Finch" >>> <[email protected]> >>> To: "Mick" <[email protected]> >>> Sent: Saturday, October 19, 2013 8:28 AM >>> Subject: Fwd: RE: Koromiko >>> >>> >>>> Hi Mick, >>>> >>>> I have received the following and Ian Buxton cannot help, so was >>>> wondering whether you had access to LRs for these dates? >>>> >>>> regards >>>> Ted >>>> >>>> >>>> >>>> -------- Original Message -------- >>>> Subject: RE: Koromiko >>>> Date: Fri, 18 Oct 2013 20:45:36 +0000 >>>> From: Ian Buxton <[email protected]> >>>> To: Stephen Davies <[email protected]>, >>>> "[email protected]" <[email protected]> >>>> >>>> >>>> >>>> I am not into code letters so cannot really help there. >>>> >>>> Re LRs- World Ship Society has a good number of duplicate copies/years. >>>> If someone/organisation in HK was prepared to pay for shipment (heavy!) >>>> plus a modest price each, that could be explored. >>>> >>>> Ian Buxton >>>>> >> >