Page 264 - Bahrain Gov Annual Reports (IV)_Neat

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Shipping-Bills.—The total number of Shipping Bills dealt with during the year amounted to
33,162, an increase of 5,803 over 1368.
Particulars arc :
Export Shipping Bills ..
Transhipment Bills 1,640
Over-carried Bills 106
Total .. 33.162

Accidents Within Port Limits :
(1) On the 15th January, 1950, a local launch was caught in a heavy shumal, and sunk. The
crew were saved.
(2) On the 7th February, 1950, a local sailing craft bound for alKhobar, Saudi Arabia, with a
cargo of 400 bags cement, encountered a strong shumal, and was wrecked at sea. The craft and
cargo was lost. The crew were saved.
(3) On the 8th February, 1950, a local sailing craft bound for al Khobar, Saudi Arabia, laden
with a cargo of 500 bags cement, capsized and sunk owing to rough weather. The craft and cargo
was lost. The crew were saved.
(4) On the 4th September, 1950, a local' boom ' which was being fitted with an engine, while
on trial, caught fire in Manamah harbour. The engine was totally destroyed by fire, and the hull
was partly destroyed. The hull was later repaired, fitted with a new engine and returned to service.

The Light Tender " Nearchus ” paid her usual visits of inspection to the lights and buoys.

STATE ENGINEER'S DEPARTMENT
(Report by Mr. D. Brammer, State Engineer.)
Electricity Undertaking :
The Power Station.—Throughout the year a great amount of work has been carried out
in the Power Station. The building extension was completed and two new 350 kW generating sets
and a io-ton crane were installed and put into commission. A complete new switch-board of modern
type has been installed and a further very large generating set of 850 kW was almost completed by
the year-end. The total installed capacity of the station is 1,800 kW.
On the 7th Muharram a serious accident occurred to No. 5 generating set. This machine was
running on load when a cast iron counterweight, weighing 150 lbs., became loose on the crankshaft
and was thrown off. Piercing the steel crankcase door, it eventually came to rest by striking No. 4
engine, adjacent. Fortunately none of the attendants were injured and the damage was confined
to No. 5 set. The engine makers sent out an engineer to rebuild this engine on 24th Rabi-al-Awal,
but, owing to the late arrival of the essential spare parts from the United Kingdom, he left before
completing the job. Another engineer from the makers is, however, continuing this work and
satisfactory completion of the set is expected shortly.
The water-cooling tower continues to operate most successfully and has contributed largely
to the efficient operation of the station during the hot season.
Units generated during the year amounted to 2,820,440 an increase of 30 per cent on the previous
year. The supply of electricity was maintained without any major interruption. Transmission
and distribution losses increased largely due to faulty overhead lines and inefficient metering. It is
expected however that when the old lines have been replaced and all meters recalibrated these losses
will be reduced considerably.