KAIAPOI.

Lyttelton Times, Volume XVI, Issue 912, 7 August 1861, Page 4

KAIAPOI.

The Margaret sailed with 18 tons of potatoes, for Otago. The Ebenezer, laden with wool and potatoes, for Lyttelton, on the Ist instant.

The Marco Polo, Australia to England, put into Valparaiso, April 2, iv a very damaged state. The following are the particulars of the event:—Up to lliursday, March 7th, the voyage of the Marco Polo lial been favorable. A few days before, icebergs had been seen at a distance of several miles, but no apprehension existed that any immediate danger was to be apprehended from their vicinity. About halt-past three o'clock on the morning of Thursday the ship, under full sail, was going from eight to nine knots an hour; there was very little sea. and a slight haziness rendered objects at any distance rather indistinct. So quietly and without signs of life did she glide through the water, that it seemed difficult to believe that 250 human beings were between her decks. All, with the exception of the *watch on duty, were in bed. The muttered words of some unquiet sleeper told that he was dreaming of the home he was soon to see, in his native land or perhaps of the friends and home he was leaving' in the land of his adoption. Suddenly the stillness was broken by the wild shouts of a seaman, " Icebergs a-head!" Before an order could be carried into effect the ship struck with such force as to rouse every one on hoard. A second succeeded about a minute later, followed by the grinding sound of the ship's bows on the ice, and the crash of falling

masts and spars. The scene that followed baffles description. No doubt existed but that all would go to the bottom in a few minutes. The more bold aud courngeous threw on a few articles of clothing, and pushed on deck, prepared to second the efforts of the crew, and do battle with their last enemy while their strength lasted. Others were in a state of complete stupefaction, their minds incapable of comprehending their true position. Many wept and groaned aloud, mingling their expressions of despair with the cries of the women and children. Tlie scene on deck might well make all tremble. The iceberg which was the shape of an irregular triangle, about 300 by 500 feet, with an elevation like a cathedral, at the narrow side towering to the height of at least 150 feet, lay close to the ship, a large projection of the summit appearing about to fall on deck, while yards and fragments of wreck falling in all directions added horror to the scene, already sufficient to appal the stoutest heart. The momentary panic over, the necessary orders were promptly caried out, and the ship slowly withdrew from her dangerous neighbourhood. The pumps were manned, and, while they were vigorously plied, an awful period of suspense ensued—" c'en the boldest held their breath." At length a hearty cheer told that the pumps were dry, and brought immediate relief to all, proving as it did, that the hull of the ship was comparatively uninjured. It was now seen that the first shock had carried away the jiboom and shattered the bowsprit, the second had completely carried away the bowsprit from its place, and thrown it across the forecastle, at the same time causing the fall of the foretopmast, with all its yards and rigging, together with its mainroyalyard; and all that was left standing in the fore part of the ship was the lower part of the foremast, and that was badly sprung. The course of the ship was changed to the northward, and the repairing of the damage rapidly proceeded with.