THE S.S. 'WELLINGTON.'

Daily Southern Cross, Volume XXII, Issue 2808, 26 July 1866, Page 4

THE S.S. ' WELLINGTON.'

To tlio Editor of the Daily Southern Cross. Sir, — This morning my attention was called to a letter, which appeared in your issue of the 7th inst.j from a special correspondent in Wellington, who, in referring to the arrival of the Auckland members at Wellington onthe3othinst.,bythes.s. 'Wellington,' comments, amongst other matters relative to that event, upon the manner in which the ve"ssel was taken to the wharf for the pui'pose of landing passengers, in terms which, in my opinion, call in question my professional skill. I therefore beg you will allow me, through the medium of your journal, to state a few facts and make some remarks, in order to *efute the aspersion made by your "special correspondent, " who in his letter states as follows : — "The s.s. Wellington arrived at- half -past nine. There was a gale of wind blowing at the time. Owing to the clumsy harbour regulations and the manner in which the ship was handled, it was two hours afterwards before they were landed." Now, sir, I am prepared to prove by the ship's logbook and other evidence, if needful, that the vessel was moored stern on to the end of the wharf (the only available berth owing to the crowded state of shipping) with a proper gangway on to it, by ten o'clock, thus taking only half-an-hour to perform that service, a not unreasonable length of time under the circumstances and difficulties I had to contend with: As to the manner in which the vessel was handled, I very much question whether " A Special Correspondent," or any other amateur sailor, is a sufficient judge to pronounce upon the matter clumsy or otherwise, but leave it to the more experienced judgment of nautical men, who saw the vessel brought to the wharf, to criticise, if they choose, the manner in which the vessel was handled. — I am, &c, Fbed. Renner, Master, s.s. 'Wellington.' Auckland, July 24, 1866.