SHIPPING.

Evening Star, Issue 11676, 7 February 1902, Page 6

SHIPPING.

HIGH WATER. TO-MORROW. Taiaroa Hoad: 2.40 a.m., 2.58 p.m. Port Chalmers: 3.20 a.m., 3.38 p.m. Dunedin : 4.5 ajn., 4.23 pjn. TELEGRAPHIC WEATHER REPORTS. The following waathar report! from Now Zealand rtatkrm were received this morning : Cape Maria Van Diemen. —Wind, E., fresh breeze; tber., 69; tide moderate, sea heavy. Auckland.—Wind, S.E., light; bar., 50.04; ther., 68; overcaat; tide moderate. Gisborne.—Wind, K, fresh breeze; bar., 30.25; ther., 64; overcast; tide poor, sea smooth. Wanganui—Calm; bar., 30.18; ther., 70; blue sky; tide moderate, bar smooth. Wellington.—Calm; bar., 30.13; ther., 72; bine sky. Nelson.—Cahn; bar., 30.12; tber., 66; gloomy; tide good. Farewell Spit.—Wind, E., light; bar., 30.21; ther., 62; overcast; tide moderate, sea moderate. Westport.—Cahn; bar., 30.06; then, 65; overcast; tide moderate, bar smooth. Hokitika.—Wind, E., light; bar., 30.02; ther., 60; clouds; tide poor, bar moderate. Bealey.—Wind, N.W., light; bar., 30.11; ther., 66; blue sky, clouds; river low. Lyttelton.—Wind, N.E., fresh breeze; bar., 30.13; ther., 70: clouds; tide moderate. Timaru.—Wind, N.E., breeze; bar., 30.04; ther., 66; blue sky; tide moderate, sea light easterly. Oamaru.—Wind, N.E., light; bar., 30.02; ther., 60; clouds; tide moderate, sea smooth. Port Chalmers.—Wind, N.E., breeze; bar., 29.95; ther., 63; overcast; tide moderate, sea smooth. Dunedin.—Wind, N.E., breeze; ban, 29.95; then, 65; overcast, gloomy; tide good. Clyde.—Calm; bar., 29.75; ther., 68; overcast; river falling. Queenstown. —Calm; ban, 29.93; ther., 59; overcast. Nuggets.—Wind, N.E., freah breeze; ban, 29.92; tber., 61; clouds; ride moderate, sea smooth. Invercargill—Wind, N.E., light; bar., 29.86; then, 62; blue sky, clouds. Bluff. —Wind, N., breeze; bar., 29.88; ther., 59; blue sky, clouds; tide ordinary, sea smooth. ARRlVED.—February 7. Silverstream, barque, 1,242 tons, Dagwell, from Cape Town. SAlLED.—February 7. Moura, s.s, 1,027 tons, Beaumont, for Auckland via East Coast ports. Passengers : For Lyttelton—Misses Oliver, Roberts. Mesdames Guy, Clarke and boy, Usherwood and infant, Messrs Scott, Burgess, Dimand, Fleming, Ascher. For Wellington—Misses M‘NeiH (2), Warren, Ross, Cowic, Fenwick, Mesdames Cavanagh and child, Finlayson, Wing and maid, Brown, Thomson, Messrs M'Neill, Bull, Guy, Tilev, Toomey (2), Ahlfeld, Petrie, Brown, Itoss (2), Watt (2), Rev. Sidey. For Napier—Misses Griffon, Northey, M’Leod, Mrs Bailey, Mr Errington. For Gisborne—Mr Kalmar. For Auckland—Misses Tibbs (3), Wrigley [2), M‘Queen, Mrs Tibbs, Messrs Tibbs (3); and six steerage for all porta. EXPECTED ARRIVALS. Invercargill, from Invercargill, February K Talune, from Sydney via Cook Strait, February 8. Upolu, from Northern porta, February 9. Elingamite, from Sydney via East Coast, February 9. Monowai, from Melbourne via Hobart and the Bluff, February 12. Whan gape, from Calcutta, Singapore, and Northern ports, February 12. Corinna, from West Coast and Northern ports, February 12. Te Anan, from Auckland via East Coast, February 13. Rakaia, from the North, February 14. Waikare, from Sydney via Cook Strait, February 15. Mararoa, from Sydney via East Coast, February 16. Mokoia, from Melbourne via Hobart and the Bluff, February 19. Moura, from Auckland via East Coart, February 20. Zealandia, from Sydney via East Coart ports, February 23. Canterbury, ship, from Glasgow via Wellington, left Glasgow October 15. Wellington, ship, from Liverpool via Wellington, left Liverpool November 9. City of Pembroke, barque, from Glasgow, left December 4. Pakeha, from London, left January 4 Reigate, s.s., from New York via Australian and Northern ports, left New York January 3. Gennanicns, as., from New York via Australian and Northern ports, left New York December 6. Ruthwcll, barque, from Glasgow via Wellington, left Glasgow December 7. Santa Chiara. Italian barque, from Marseilles, left January 17 Pass of Bahama, ship, from Glasgow via Wellington, left Glasgow January 19. PROJECTED DEPARTURES. Talune, for Melbourne via the Bluff and Milford Sound, February 9. Upoln, for Northern porta, February 10. Elingamite, for Sydney via East Coast, February 11. Monowai, for Sydney via Cook Strait, February 13. Corinna, for Northern ports and West Coast, February 13. Waikare, for Melbourne via Bluff and Hobart, February 16. Mararoa, for Sydney via East Coast, February 18. Mokoia, for Sydney via Cook Strait, February 20. Moura, for Auckland via East Coast, February 2L Zealandia, for Sydney via East Coast ports, February 25.

As the Invercargill was not to leave Invercargill before to-day she cannot reach Dunedin until to-morrow. If possible, she will be despatched back to Invercargill to-morrow evening. The Pukaki is due at Wellington to-night from Westport. According to advices, the Mararoa left Sydney at 1 p.m. on Wednesday for Dunedin via Auckland and East Coast porta. She is due at Auckland on Sunday next and Dunedin on the following Sunday. Cable advices from Hobart intimate that the Mokoia sailed at ten last night for Melbourne. The Hawea left Timani today for tee North. The Te Anau leaves Auckland at noon to-morrow for Dunedin via East Coast ports. During her recent passage across the Tasman Sea the Elmganrite was delayed by bad weather. Shortly after leaving Port Jackson on Wednesday evening of last week a moderate breeze from the south-east, with a strong swell, was met with. The wind and sea gradually increased, until it was blowing a moderate gale, with heavy head sea, on the following Friday. The gale continued until Sunday, when it moderated. The Elingamite is due in Dunedin on Sunday. The barque Dag, which left Levuka on July 12 for Liverpool, was reported passing Waterford on the 16th ult., with oare poles, and with the crew bending sails. She declined assistance that was offered, and asked to be reported. It is probable that the steamers Hawea, Janet > Nicoll, Upolu, and Rakaia will be in Timaru at the same time to-dav, and if so the wharfage accommodation will be very heavily taxed. Captain Fletcher, late of the scow Warrior, will take charge of the new vessel Eunice, to be launched in tee course of a fews weeks at Omaha for Mr A. B. Donald, of Auckland. Prior to leaving the s.a. Wainui on Monday last. Captain Brown was presented by his officers and crew with a shaving outfit and a silver inkstand, and his wife with

a travelling bag. Several of his staff refeared in eulogistic terms to Ms ability as master, and also to his kindly feeling to all under turn. Captain Brown is to take up the position of assistant pilot at Lyttelton. Captain Spruitt is still in charge of the barquentine Rio, which was recently sold to a Sydney shipping firm. At a meeting of the Standing Committee of the Timaru Harbor Board <m Wednesday last it was decided to purchase Mr P. Sinclair’s blacksmith’s shop and !)lant at £326, and appoint Mr Sinclair oreman blacksmith. The property is to be taken over on the 17th inst. It is a Tasmanian firm who have purchased the barquentine Pelotas. Captain J. Davis, of Hobart, who is part owner, is to have command of the vessel, which will be engaged in the Australasian trade. Certain of the fruit steamers calling at Hobart in February, March, and April will ship about 1,200 tons of copper. The first portion of the shipment was brought recently by the Mahinapua, comprising 500 bars. BRITISH TRANSPORTS. The enormous amount of tonnage which has been utilised by the War Office in the conveyance of troops, stores, etc., on British Government charter to South Africa is shown in a parliamentary return published in December. The return only dates from Ist July, 1899, to 31st March, 1901. In that period 149 transports, of 892,525 tons gross, were engaged to take troops, etc., from Great Britain; but as many of these vessels made more than one journey, the total is really equal to 327 vessels, of 2,037,643 tons gross. In the conveyance of mules 53 steamers, of 226,795 tons gross, were chartered, of which 21 vessels, of 91,656 tons gross, were taken up more than once. In the transport of troops, horses, etc., from India to the Cape 59 steamers, aggregating 137,156 tons gross, were employed, eight of which made two journeys, and one three, equal to a total of 49 steamers. In carrying the colonial contingents to Cape Town 31 vessels, totalling 172,902 tons gross, were chartered, two, of 9,807 tons, being taken up twice. In carrying horses and cobs to South Africa 64 steamers, of 333,894 tons gross, were engaged, 29 of which made more than one voyage. Since the 51st March last further vessels have been taken up, while many vessels since the Ist July, 1899, have taken troops, stores, etc., but not having been wholly taken up are not included in the above figures.

A MYSTERIOUS EXPLOSION. A short time ago our cable messages announced that a mysterious explosion had taken place aboard the steamer Yambacooaa whilst lying in the dry dock at Launceston. Yesterday’s mail brings the following news of the affair:—Shortly after three o’clock in the morning, when the watchman was on the wharf, about twenty yards away, a terrific explosion took place in the after-part of the vessel, and immediately an outburst of flames followed. The tirebell at once sounded the alarm, and between it and the report of the explosion half the residents of the city were aroused. The tire had a good hold of the vessel when the brigade arrived, but with a plentiful supply of water they soon got the flames under, and saved the vessel and tie dock from destruction. When the fire was extinguished it was seen that considerable damage had been done to the steamer. The deckhouse had been blown completely away by the force of the explosion, and parts of it were found on the other side of the river, quit© 100 yards away. The main deck beams and mainmart were burned, the saloon badly damaged by fire and water, and the iron railings and stanchions blown off and twisted. The damage done is estimated at between £4OO and £SOO. The cause of the explosion and consequent fire is a mystery. There were no explosives aboard, except the usual ship’s rockets, and it is hardly possible for them to have caused such an explosion as that which took place. Again, the parts of the deckhouse blown away were, when picked up, quite clean, showing there had been no lire prior to the explosion. What, then, was the cause? The watchman states ho was never any distance away from the vessel during the night, and that he saw no one in the vicinity. Taking everything into consideration, the circumstances surrounding the whole affair are suspicious, and will be fully investigated by the police. The s.s. Yambacoona is owned by Messrs Stephenson and Gunn, and the explosion is particularly hard on the owners, for the repairs rendered necessary by the recent fire in her bunkers were being completed.

The damage done by the explosion and fire was covered by insurance.

THE CABLE STEAMER ANGLIA.

Early in March next the cable steamer Anglia, which, under the command of Captain Leach, will lay the first section of the Pacific cable, and which started from London with the cable on board on January 8, is due at Brisbane. The Anglia is a twinscrew cable vessel, owned by the Telegraph Construction and Maintenance Company, and built in 1898. Her trial trip took place between Barrow and the Liverpool North-west lightship. The distance oa the two journeys, going and returning, was sixty knots, resulting in an average speed of 13.5 knots per hour. After the trial tnp, which was most satisfactory in every respect, the Anglia was handed over to the command of Captain VV. R. Cato, and was subsequently fitted with four cable tanks, her payingout and picking-up machinery, etc. The machinery is of the latest construction and design. The tanks and machinery were built at Greenwich by the Telegraph Construction Company, and included many improvements, dictated by the experience of the company’s engineer and staff. Her first voyage was for the purpose of laying a cable for the Eastern Telegraph Company from Gibraltar to Malta and Alexandria, with a total length of 2,181 miles of cable, weighing some 4,650 tons. The principal dimensions of the vessel are as follow: —Length, 467 ft over-all; breadth, moulded, 54ft; depth, moulded from top of keel to spar deck, 56ft. She has a double bottom 4ft 3in high, and water-ballast capacity of 1,400 tons. Fully loaded to Suez Caual draught, she could carry 8,620 tons dead-weight. There are four steel pole-masts, fitted with derricks. The anchor gear is of the moat modern kind, and" the anchors of the stockless pattern. The steam steering engine is carried on the tiller (thus doing away with all chains), and is controlled by a telemotor from the bridge. The electric lighting of the ship is duplicate. The dynamos are coupled direct to the engines, and the light leads are protected in steel insulated tubes. Amidships, under the bridge-deck, are the dining saloon and sleeping rooms for the staff and officers of the ship, together with kitchen, pantry, bathrooms, and other offices. The spar deck, bridge deck, and navigating bridge are laid with East India teak planking. The main engines are two sets of the tripleexpansion, inverted, direct-acting type, having cylinders 22in, 35iin, and olin diameter respectively, with a stroke of 48in. There are tour single-ended steel boilers, 16ft 4in diameter, 10ft lOln long, with four furnaces each. The working pressure is 1951b per square inch- The indicated horse-power on the trial trip was 4,000. The propellers are four-bladed, of bronze.

TO-MORROW’S STEAMERS. The Talune, from Sydney via Welling, ton and Lyttelton, was to leave the latter port at four this afternoon, in which case she may be looked for at the Port between eight and nine o’clock to-morrow morning. She should come up to the cross wharf about 2 p-m. SHIPPING TELEGRAMS. ONEHUNGA, February 6.—Ngapuhi, for New Plymouth. WELLINGTON, February 6.—Tarawera, for Lyttelton. Passengers: Misses Panter, Owles, Williams, Thomas, Lambie, Manifold, Davenport, Brighting (2),

Horton. Cosset, Stanton (3), Mezdamea Ournow, Lloyd, Manifold and maid, Panter, Charters, Wiseman, Novis, Foster, Gammack, Stanton, Mulcock, Stnrmer and child( Duffy, Sir J. G. Ward and son and two secretaries, Hon. W. C. Walker and secretary, Sergeant-major Kean, Messrs Novis, Thompson, Dignan, S almond, Neave, Fisher, Reece, Fraser, Manifold, Cunningham, Dunn, Cohen, Mulcock, Stunner, Stanton, Foster, Duffy, Edgar, Wilson, Wood, Paterson, Aitken, Edwards, Horton (2); and fourteen in the steerage. —Talune, for Melbourne via the South and Hobart. Passengers for Dunedin; Misses Dow, Cameron, Bohan, M’Gregor, Anderson, Ayson, Keats, Taylor, Gibson, Mesdames Cameron, Bagley and child, Lambert, Messrs Tyrrell, Fraser, Miller, Faulkner, Pyrke, Cameron, M’Kanzie, Budd, Gaw, Lamb, Wilson.—Warrimoo, for East Coast ports and Sydney.—Papanui, for London. GREYMOUTH, February 6.—Rosamond, from Port Chalmers. OAMARU, February 6.—Janet NicoU, from Port Chalmers. SYDNEY, February 6,—Troopship Surrey, from Auckland.—Mararoa and Tyser steamer Mimiro, for Auckland. (For continuation see Late Shipping. 1 *