THE LADY RANFURLY DREDGE.
(FROM OUR CROMWELL CORRESPONDENT.)
The other day I had the pleasure of visiting the Kawarau Gorge where the Lady Ranfurly (Electric No. 3) dredge is undergoing the finishing touches preparatory to commencing work. On reaching the bank of the river, I was surprised to see the number of men at work, and it was indeed a sight of more than ordinary interest to one accustomed to life for a considerable time so far removed from a large centre, as which Cromwell is, to find such a large number of men so busily engaged, as what my visit afforded me the sight of. About a dozen men were hard at work fixing parts of machinery, etc., and conveying them on board of the dredge, while the interior presented the scene of a vast workshop — every man with plenty to do and with the requisite knowledge of how to do it — under the able supervision of Mr A. McGeorge, who most courteously left his work for a time to point out the various parts of construction, etc., to me. The following is a discription of the dredge which I am given to understand is the most complete and largest in New Zealand; — The length of pontoons is 110ft. and with the staging or platforms fore and aft 120ft; width of each pontoon, 13ft; depth of pontoons, 7ft with a 5ft 6in well. The length of the ladder is 75ft swung in the centre with tie rods, which give great strength and durability, and has 7in diameter rollers. The buckets each weigh 7cwt. and have a carrying capacity of over 5 cubic feet. The boiler is by Sparrow and Co., of Dunedin, and is 25h.p. externally fired, and is enclosed in a special fire-proof casing. The engine is by Marshall, and is a splendid specimen of workmanship. It is 16h.p., and works a 11in centrifugal pump. There are also two winches, a main and auxiliary one. The latter will be a source of much convenience and can be used for dredging on, and will prevent any such occurrences as the sitting up of the ladder. This is a decided benefit, seeing that there is such a heavy drift turning in the river. There is also an auxiliary steam winch engine which can be used for dredging [on, and which drives all power machines including a very large lathe — the finest up country. The lathe is a 9in centre gap one, with a 14ft bed, and was manufactured by Mr T. McPherson, of Melbourne. There are also two or three large vertical drilling machines driven by the same power. The tables are 18ft by 19ft. giving an area of 342 sq. ft., and are divided into six portions with a separate water supply to each division. These tables are fitted with an improved mat fastener invented by Mr Crowe, of Dunedin, and is a great and decided improvement as the tearing up of lathes and railings down of the same at every washing up is thus obviated. The screen is 18ft long and has 18ft of perforations ; St weighs tons, and is driven by friction, and it is wonderful to find how easily the whole of this large portion of the machinery is driven, as without the exertion of very much power I caused this ponderous affair to revolve. The spur wheel is of two tons weight and 8ft in diameter. There is a very large travelling crank which travels from the tumbler framing to the gantry, a distance of 72ft. It is capable of lifting and carrying weights of over three tons, and is to be used principally for large boulders, etc. The elevator is 85ft long, and will stack the tailings to the height of 35ft. The dredge will be completely housed in, the height of which to the top of ridge will be fully 20ft. A spacious gold office with a cabin aloft, together with a storeroom, is also included in the dredge. The blacksmith shop is situated aft, and is to be replete with everything up to date, and all necessary repairs to the dredge can be effected on board, so complete and thorough have the appointments been made. The pontoons were constructed by Messrs Sutherland and Nelson, whose work on many of the dredges has, after considerable testing and experience, proved to be A 1 at Lloyds. The whole construction of the dredge has been done under the experienced supervision of the company's able manager, Mr Alexander McGeorge, and this dredge is a credit to everyone connected with it. The electric lighting apparatus is a most complete plant from Melbourne. The finishing which is to be throughout inside is to be of light blue distemper, and the total cost of the whole concern before a bucket of dirt is deposited will be fully £8500.
The Electric Company have done a great deal to further the interests of dredging in this district, and may be justly termed the pioneers of really bona fide, dredging. The company’s first craft is a mere toy compared with the Lady Ranfurly, and although a great amount of gold has been won by the company, still the success is exceedingly well deserved. The company, in the first place, not only went in for pegging out the ground which lay for many years in the sight of some of our would-be-styled dredging speculators, but put their hard cash into both dredges and wages, and as a practical proof of the reward of legitimate energy and enterprise our district can proudly boast of the finest dredge engineering triumph in New Zealand. How different is this state of affairs to those who peg out the river and invest, say, a £5 note or so in the spec in the expectation of possibly getting these so-called bona fide claims worked on tribute, or else by company floating with a thousand or so of paid-up shares. That the ‘Lady Ranfnrly’ will scoop up the golden grains is an established fact, as the claim is prospected, and that the returns from this dredge may excel any of the company’s previous returns is the wish of more than ‘our own correspondent.’ -Dunstan Times, 9/9/1898.
MINING NEWS.
OTAGO DREDGING RETURNS.
[BY ELECTRIC TELEGRAPH.— COPYRIGHT.]
Dunedin, 23rd May. During the week ended to-day returns were reported from seventeen dredges. The total yield for the week has been 818oz, or an average of 48oz per dredge. Of course the sensational yield of 400oa from the Magnetic claim at Cromwell unduly raises the average per dredge. Next to the Magnetic comes the Matau dredge, Alexandra, with 57oz; the Success, Waipori, follows with 39oz; then come Alpine, Cromwell, 34oz; Upper Waipori dredge, 33oz 12dwt; Manorburn, 28oz; Chatto Creek, 27oz; Golden Gate, 22oz 18dwt; Dunedin, 22oz 7dwt. Others range from 20oz to 9oz 14dwt. Reports were current to-day that the return from the Lady Ranfurly dredge, one of the Electric Dredging Company's claims, was 1000oz for the week's work, but the directors refuse to disclose their returns. They say that, while the return was a good one, it was nothing like so large as currently reported. -Evening Post, 24/5/1899.
GOLD DREDGING.
THE ELECTRIC SYNDICATE
(By Telegraph — Press Association.)
DUNEDIN, this day.
What a bonanza the Electric Syndicate have in the Kawarau River is told by Mr L. McGeorge, one of the party, to a special reporter of the "Star" now visiting the various dredges. The company was formed in January, 1895, with a capital of £2,400 and a dredge was built by September, when a start was made. The river was in flood, and bad luck stuck to the operations for some time. Mr McGeorge says: — "There were calls to meet and expenses to arrange for, and nothing in sight. Some of our folk were more than once on the point of giving up. It would not have taken much to have made me throw it up, but I wouldn't let it be seen that I was getting disappointed. At last we decided to shut down for awhile, and wait till the river fell. When the water went down we had another go, and the first week we got 9oz. This put us all in high spirits, and from that point our prospects improved rapidly. In about seven months we had returned to us the extra capital that had been called up. Our best return was found just ahead of where we are now working. With the Lady Ranfurly dredge we got the big haul two years ago last March, viz., 658 1/2oz of gold for five days' work. Two hundred ounces of that we lifted in ten hours, and we are going to that spot again. Immediately we began to get gold, we put on another dredge, for which No. 1 paid the cost, being £5,000. Seven weeks after No. 2 started she had paid for herself. In the first three days she got 112oz. This time two years ago we started No. 3, the Lady Ranfurly. No. 1 and No. 2 paid for her before her machinery was set going. She was paid for, and we had a dividend as well. We declare a dividend as soon as the returns give us £100 a share. One was declared last week." -Auckland Star, 26/6/1899.
During the year the old company acquired an area adjoining the Top Claim in what is known, as Happy Valley renowned for its riches, and abreast of which the Lady Ranfurly dredge got handsome returns. We wish the new companies every success and many years of prosperity, which we believe is their destiny. Otago Daily Times, 12/9/1899.
It is currently reported that the Lady Ranfurly dredge got between 800 and 900oz last week. -Dunstan Times, 22/9/1899.
On Saturday evening the crew of the Lady Ranfurly dredge met at the Victoria Hotel and presented Mr Joseph McGeorge, who has left the dredge, of which he has been master since her launch, with a gold Maltese Cross, inscribed on one side, 'To Joseph McGeorge,’ and on the other, ‘Presented by the crew of the Ranfurly Dredge; 30/11/99.’ Mr John Ray, in making the presentation, said that all the crew were sorry at Mr McGeorge's departure, as he had been a good boss, and took great interest in the dredge, and the best of feelings had always subsisted between him and the crew. In thanking the crew for the presentation Mr McGeorge said that he never knew what a wrench it would be to part from the dredge till he left her for good that day. He was sure that whoever was appointed dredgemaster to succeed him would find a capital crew. He announced that Mr Bevan had been appointed engineer. His future movements were not quite settled yet, but he was going to take a trip round Australia, after which he would again visit Cromwell. As they wanted to get away to Mr Ward’s meeting he would cut his remarks short. Those present then drank the toast of Mr and Mrs McGeorge and the pleasant little function came to a close. -Cromwell Argus, 5/12/1899.
(PRESS ASSOCIATION TELEGRAM) DUNEDIN, July 8.
The following are the dredging returns for the week: — Electric, 1234oz; Vincent, 179oz 4dwt; Perseverance, 87oz; Cromwell, 84oz l0dwt; Junction Electric, 520z 13dwt; Empire 590z 6dwt 12gr; Matau, 49oz; Golden Beach, 47oz 7dwt ogr; Magnetic, 43oz; Golden Treasure, 31oz; Hartley and Riley, 25oz; Manorburn, 21oz; New Alexandra, 18oz 9dwt; Enterprise, 18oz 2dwt; Waimumu, 17oz; Inch Valley, 16oz 18dwt; Clyde, 14oz; Nil Desperandum, 12oz 14dwt; Molyneux Hydraulic, 12oz; Otago, 11oz; Chicago, 8oz 9dwt; Tuapeka, 7oz 13dwt; Maori, 7oz l0dwt; Shotover, 6oz 12dwt.
The return from the Electric Gold Dredging Company's dredge, the announcement of which caused considerable sensation in local mining circles on Saturday, of 1234 ounces for one week's work, eclipses the record put up by the Hartley and Riley dredge for the week ending March 24th last, when she obtained 1187 ounces 14 dwts, by 46 ounces 6 dwts. The highest return published in 1899 was from the Hartley and Riley dredge, and was obtained during the week ending August 19th, when her return was 760 ounces 10 dwts. Prior to this the largest return was from the Magnetic dredge, when she obtained 400 ounces. The present Electric Gold Dredging Company was formed in September of last year, and purchased the old Electric Company's dredge. The Lady Ranfurly, which is one of the most up to date dredges in Otago, was built by Messrs Johnston and Sons, of Melbourne. She was ready for launching in November, 1898, and his Excellency the Governor and Lady Ranfurly being at the time on a visit to Central Otago, his Excellency performed the launching ceremony, and the dredge was named the Lady Ranfurly. The claim is situated between the Kawarau Gorge and the junction of the Kawarau and the Clutha rivers, and the Magnetic Company's claim adjoins its upper boundary, the Cromwell Company's claim adjoining it at the lower boundary. The old Electric Company, a private concern, had a prosperous career, and until the three claims it possessed were floated into public companies there were three dredges working them. The whole of the company's plant and premises cost £19,000, and the total value of gold won to July, 1899, was, in round figures, £82,000. Of this amount it is estimated that from November, 1898, to July, 1899, the Lady Ranfurly dredge obtained £12,000 worth. The value of the return just published, estimating the gold at £3 15s per ounce, is £4627 10s, and, after deducting sufficient for working expenses, represents a dividend of 3s on 26,000 shares. The company has already paid 5s per share in dividends. -Press, 9/7/1900.
The Cromwell correspondent of the Daily Times says: — The gold won by the Lady Ranfurly dredge last week was on exhibition on Saturday afternoon. It is a splendid sample, containing nuggets up to 6dwt. The dredgemaster expects 1500oz this week and anticipates breaking 2000oz before long. -Oamaru Mail, 10/7/1900.
There was great excitement on Saturday over the record return from the Ranfurly of 12340z. The dredgemaster and crew of the Lady Ranfurly dredge drove in a four-in-hand to the Hartley and Riley dredge in order to obtain possession of the golden cock presented to Captain McLay for holding the record, but he was absent, and the men on board declined to give up the trophy. -Western Star, 10/7/1900.
A number of the dredges are paying handsomely, and have now established themselves as regular dividend-paying concerns. The famous Hartley and Riley is still upon rich ground, although there has been an absence of the frequent phenomenal returns which caused so great excitement a few months ago. The past year's operations have been eminently satisfactory to the lucky shareholders, who have had distributed amongst them no less a sum than £44,637 10s, equal to a return of £6 17s 6d per £1 share, or 687 1/2 per cent. Over and above that £1439 was spent in wages, £1169 in repairs, etc., and £1098 in bonuses to the employees. But while the Hartley and Riley dredge has been scooping up the gold and winning easy fortunes for her shareholders, other dredges have not been idle. The other week the record of the Hartley and Riley, which stood at 1187oz, was broken by the Electric Company's Lady Ranfurly dredge, which took 1234oz out of the claim in one week. It is a notable fact that while the Hartley and Riley shares rose to over £24 after the record week's winning of gold was announced, the Electric Company's shares actually dropped a few shillings at first. The capital of the company is £26,000, fully paid up, so that the dredge would require to keep up to at least three figures to pay as well as the Hartley and Riley at two figures.
The ice-bound character of the alluvial claims and smaller streams over the greater portion of the Otago goldfields during the winter has hampered mining in all its branches very materially, but another month's time will see that difficulty overcome, and in spring time there should be a general move all along the line. The indications are, at any rate, that a good many new dredges will get to work during the coming summer, and the value of the various dredging fields be put to the test. -Otago Daily Times, 1/8/1900.
The Lady Ranfurly dredge is shifting lower down to her summer ground. She will then probably work all summer and get fair returns, much better than waiting till the river falls. -Otago Witness, 23/10/1901.
June 30. The weather is fine, with heavy frosts at night, and the river is falling fast. The Lady Ranfurly dredge is on very rich ground, I believe, and working up to where she got the record return of over 1200oz. It is rumoured something better is expected this week. The Junction Electric No. 2 dredge has evidently picked up the rich gold again, and should soon got sufficient to pay for another dredge. -Otago Witness, 2/7/1902.
The Lady Ranfurly dredge had some trouble trying to get into some ground last week. I think the dredge will soon be getting good returns again. -Otago Daily Times, 17/2/1903.
The Lady Ranfurly dredge is on very rough ground, I believe, on the Bannockburn side, where the rich ground is. There is a coal bottom on the Cromwell side. -Otago Witness, 25/2/1903.
The return of the Lady Ranfurly dredge was for three days' dredging, and shows that the ground must be very rich. -Otago Daily Times, 5/5/1903.
A Record Return. — The yield of 1265ozs 16dwt of gold, obtained last week by the Electric No. 2 dredge, is the biggest yet obtained in a week by any dredge in New Zealand, or, for the matter of that, out of New Zealand as well. The Electric Company themselves previously held the record with 1234oz. reported for the week ended July 7th, 1900. That return was not won by the same dredge as broke the record last week, but by the Lady Ranfurly machine, now known as the Electric No. 1 dredge, while No. 2, which is just now on such phenomenally rich ground, is the former Magnetic dredge, the Electric Company acquiring her and starting work with her in August, 1902. Four-figure returns have also been won by the Hartley and Riley dredge, which for the week ended March 23rd, 1900, obtained 1187oz, and again for the week ended Oct. 16th last year, obtained 1158oz. The Junction Electric Company has also obtained over 1000oz in the week. -Ashburton Guardian, 18/2/1904.
The Cromwell No. 1 dredge has about 80yds to work to the top boundary. The Lady Ranfurly dredge got over 200oz on the boundary. No. 2 dredge is on a piece which the No. 1 could not work. It is only a small bit of ground. -Otago Witness, 25/5/1904.
The Electric Gold Dredging Co. Ltd, In Liquidation.
J GOODGER & Co. have received instructions from the liquidator to sell by auction at their rooms, Cromwell, on Saturday 28th Sept., at 12 o’clock noon, in one lot
The whole of the company’s assets, including Lady Ranfurly dredge and claim, all duplicates, spare parts, etc, enumerated on lists to be had on application to
— The Auctioneers, Cromwell. -Dunstan Times, 9/9/1918.
DREDGING ON THE KAWARAU.
Lady Ranfurly Dredge Destroyed By Fire.
There was an unfortunate ending of the dredging industry on Thursday in the complete destruction by fire of the last of the fleet — the Lady Ranfurly on the Kawarau River. Just how the fire started in the little upstairs cabin is somewhat of a mystery, (says the Daily Times). The caretaker was on board at the time, and was engaged at work in one pontoon, and coming on deck after finishing this was surprised to find smoke coming from the small cabin to which the only access was by steps. He carried water up in a strenuous effort to beat the flames, but they spread rapidly, and total destruction was soon certain As the fire completed its work the remnants of the dredge settled on the bottom of the river.
The dredge, which was formerly the property of the Electric Company, was purchased by Mr James Goodger when the company went into liquidation five years ago, and the loss to him is a serious one. He had worked the dredge up to the present with varying success, and was making preparations for the season’s work. His enterprise in mining deserves a better fate.
During the boom time the dredge was famous in gold production, and several times obtained over 1000 ounces weekly. She was launched within three days of 20 years ago, and was christened by the then Governor, Lord Ranfurly. Coming so soon after the loss of the Shine dredge by sinking, it was a dramatic ending to the once great dredging industry. In his efforts to beat the fire the Caretaker, Mr William Mitchell, sustained severe injuries from burns, and had to receive medical attention. -Lake County Press, 3/4/1924.
The bones of the "Lady Ranfurly still lie where they settled in 1924 and are now covered by the waters (and, presumably, the build-up of silt) of Lake Dunstan. The dredge's golden cock is mentioned as being held at Dunedin's Early Settlers' Museum, now Toitu, in the 1940s.
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