BALLAST BOATS AND THEIR OWNERS.

Lyttelton Times, Volume XVIII, Issue 1056, 24 December 1862, Page 5

BALLAST BOATS AND THEIR OWNERS.

TO THE EDITOR OF THE LYTTELTOW TIMES. Sir,—We have been accused in your last issue of not giving jtist weight to the brig Susan. We are confident that our vessel never left the shore without being down to the Harbor-Master's marks, which was weighed out by Messrs. Peacock's vessel; and we feel confident that the captain of the Heather Bell did justice to himself and us. Capt. Anderson states that we did not put him down to his marks;, but his and the mate's statements varied considerably, as before he bad the last load the mate stated that the vessel was down to her marks foward, and only required four inches aft. We wished him to have the ballast weighed out of us, but he said it was too much trouble. He also states that we never came alongside but that we had a foot.of water in her: now, sir, we never left the shore without pumping her dry, and the water that was in her was. made from the shore to the vessel. The brig Hebe was the last vessel we ballasted, and we had always the same quantity of water in her when the ballast was weighed out; it was always the»weight that was Htated. It is hardly fair for Captain Anderson to accuse us of short weight before he had it weighed out, as the vessels we> have ballasted have been perfectly satisfied with Our weight. Our punt has the Harbor-master's mark on her bow and stern, according to the regulations, cut by the coxswain of the pilot boat. We are, sir, yours, &c., WATERWORTH & COOKE.