SHIPPING.

Globe, Volume VIII, Issue 1077, 10 December 1877, Page 2

SHIPPING.

POET OP LYTTELTON. Weather Eeport— December 10. 9 a.m.—Wind, N.W., light; weather, overcast. Barometer, 29.84 ; thermometer, 67.00. High Water —To-morrow. Morning, 5.43; night, 8.06. Arrived — December 8. Eeward, schooner, 41 tons, Westlake, from Picton. Cuff and Graham, agents. Helena, brigantine, 126 tons, Campbell, from the Thames. Eoyse, Stead and Co., agents. Pet, barque, 268 tons, Mann, from Newcastle. W. H. Hargreaves, agent. Akaroa, s.s., 43 tons, McLean, fromj Stony hurst. Master, agent, Eotoma, s.s., 576 tons, Macfarlane, from Sydney, via Wellington. Miles, Hassal and Co., agents. Passengers—Saloon: Mesdames Gamble, McAlpine, Montgomery and 3 servants. Miss McNamara, Messrs J. E. Hill, G. Cntts, Hewlings, Studholme, Tonng, Eolleston, Palmer, Peters, Hall, Buckley, Fitzroy, Stephens, Eichmond,]Montgomery, Teschemaker, Brett, Wrigley, Master Wrigley, and Mr Acland; 13 in the storage; and 25 for South. December 9. Amateur, ketch, 25 tons. Nelson, from Akaroa. Master, agent. . Jannet, ketch, 41 tons, McDonald, from Okam s Bay. Master, agent. Lucy James, ketch, 28 tons, Clarkson, from Pis 'eon Bay. F. Jenkins, agent. Emperor, brig, 284 tons. Cleary, from Newcastle. Master, agent. December 10. Fawn, brig, 216 tons, Veel, from Newcastle, Master, agent. Spray, schooner, 50 tons, Euxton, from Peloms Sound. Cuff and Graham, agents. Cleared —December 10. Lucy James, ketch, 28 tons, Clarkson, for Pigeon Bay. F. Jenkins, agent. Sailed— December 8. Taranaki, s.s., 327 tons, Malcolm, for Northern Ports. Miles, Hassal and Co., agents. Passengers —Saloon : for Wellington—Messrs H. Kato, G. Plant; for Manukau —Mr and Mrs Eussell, Mrs Overton, Miss Snales, and Mr Absolom. Steerage —Messrs J. Healey, Boyd, and W. George, Blackwall, ketch, 26 tons. Green, for Okain’sßay. Master, agent, Botorua, s.s., 576 tons, Macfarlane, for Port Chalmers. Miles, Hassal and Co., agents. Passengers—Steerage : Mr and Mrs John and 25 original. December 10. Margaret, ketch, 21 tons, Butter, for Le Bon’s Bay. Master, agent. Courier, ketch, 31 tons, Sinclair, for Pigeon Bay. Master, agent. Spec, schooner, 32 tons, Dempsey, for Wellington. G. Mackay, agent. Eichard and Mary, schooner, 44 tons, Britt, for Napier. Cuff and Graham, agents. Lady Don, schooner, 68 tons. Gill, for Hokitika. C. W. Turner, agent. Lizzie Guy, brigantine, 93 tons, Priest, for Kaipara. Master, agent. The Lizzie Guy, for Kaipara; Lady Don, for Hokitika; Spec, for AYellington ; and Eichard and Mary, for Napier, all sailed this morning. The Fawn, brig, arrived from Newcastle this morning, and the Spray, schooner, fiom Pelorns Sound. The Emperor, brig, arrived from Newcastle last evening. SHIP AND BABQUE SIGNALLED FEOM THE SOUTHWAED. Early this morning a ship was signalled from the southward, but, as she stood away north, the flag was hauled down. Later, however, she tacked, and stood in for the Heads. There is little or no doubt that the vessel will prove to be the N.Z.S. Co.’s ship Eakaia, now due from London. About noon a barque's distinguishing flag was hoisted, and there is a rumor that it was the Glenora. THE SAILING OP THE MEEOPE AND WAITANGI. Friday night was fine, and when the dawn broke on Saturday it was a dead calm, and the water of the harbour was smooth as glass. As before chronicled both ships, the Merope and Waitangi, were in the stream ready for sea, and at 3.30 a.m. the Merope tripped her anchor, and in tow of the s.s. Akaroa started on her way home. Ten minutes later the Waitangi's anchor was also clear of the Lyttelton mud, and under charge of the p.s. Titan she also proceeded towards open water. About 4.15 a.m. both ships were clear of the Heads. As if seeking to favour the ships a light W.S.W. breeze then sprang up, but the tugs kept at their work till the vessels were good six miles clear of the land. Both then rounded-to to let the pilots leave, and after a hearty farewell and exchanging good wishes, both ships filled and with a fair breeze stood away for the old country. It was a fine sight to see these two grand ships thus start together on their long pathway home. Both were a perfect cloud of canvas, the three skysails being set on the tall spars of the Merope, while royal-staysails added their tiny propelling power to that of the larger sheets of canvas which spread out broad and white below them in the morning sunlight. Nor was the Waitangi behindhand, for above the great square masses of her canvas, topsails, and topgallant sails, the royals, mainstaysails, and royal staysails swelled out before the light and favouring breeze. It was about 6 a.m. when the tugs left them, and when the Heads were reached by the returning party the ships seemed to have melted away in the sunlight, two dark specks against the clear blue sky being all that was visible. When the Helena, brigantine, arrived on Saturday afternoon she reported having sighted the two ships at noon well to the southward of the Peninsula. The wind was light when she was in company with them, and the Merope seemed to have her own way. Three times, whilst the brigantine was in sight, did she back her main yard, to let the other ship come up with her, and as many times did she again shoot ahead. At last, as if tired of the delay, she shook out her feathers and stood away on her course, and, when the Helena lost sight of them, was five miles ahead. As previously stated, both vessels are in grand trim for their race home. The Waitangi has an advantage through not being so deep as the Merope, but the clean copper bottom of the other more than compensates for this. Although the Merope is undoubtedly faster in light winds, in heavy weather the Waitangi is her equal, if not her superior, so that it is difficult to guess which ship will reach home first. Of one thing we may be sure, this time there can be no dispute as to which ship makes the fastest passage. It is impossible to imagine a fairer start, and the first which arrives at Gravesend will undoubtedly have won. That both ships may speedily and safely arrive at their destination ia, no doubt, the wish of every resident in Canterbury. Much regret Is expressed that Captain Sutherland will not be here on New Year’s Day. For eeveral years the Merope has been one of the most beautifully decorated ships on New Year’s Eve, and at the dawn of 1878 many will miss her sightly hull and stately spars, the boom of her gnus, and her gorgeous display of fireworks. Last year the Merope sailed on New Year’s Day, but thanks to her master and officers she was a magnificent sight on the previous evening. All who know Captain Sutherland will join in wishing him a happy and speedy voyage home.