SHIPPING.

Lyttelton Times, Volume XXIV, Issue 1451, 5 August 1865, Page 2

SHIPPING.

LYTTELTON. ABBIVED. Aug. 4—Flying Cloud, schooner, 48 tona/Jlans Anderson, from Waitangi, Chatham Islands. Passengers —Cabin: Mr. Hunt, Miss Hunt, Dr., Watson, Mr. Amery; 17 in steerage. Aug. 4—Charlotte, cuttor, 24 tons, S. Graham, from Patea, in ballast.

CLBARKD, Aug. 4—Connaught Rauger, schooner, 42 tons, Maule, for Gore's Bay. IMPOSTS. In the Flying Cloud, Hall, Kitcliie, and Co., ~*gents t 50 tons potatoes, half-ton onions, _ 1 cwt butter, 1 half-ton Muntz metal, Hall, Ritchie, and Co. EXFOBIB. In the Connaught ltanger, master, agent: 8 pis, 1 case iron vrork, 1 case boots, 1 sack barley, " half-do beans, 137 pkgs, 1 case brandy, 24 pkgs, 2 cases, 1 pkg wire netting, 4 sacks peas, 10 do bone dust, 2 ploughs, 2 casks beer, 1 case brandy, 1 box, 1 qase, 2 tons roofing, o sacks tobacco, 1 parcel, 10 cases plants, 42 partridges, 17 pheasant, 14 small birds, 7 swans, 7 bags bird seed, 3 casks bird cages, 1 case garden engine, Miles and Co.

Expected Arrivals. Auir. 6—Otago, from Northern Ports. A * 6_Wellington, from Otago. Auff. 10—Lord Ashley, from Northern Ports. Au.r. 11— Lady Bird, from Dunedin. Aug. 16—Auckland, from Northern Ports. . Gazelle, s.s,, f-om South, in a few days. Maid of the l&ira, from Wellington, in ft few Peojicxed Departures. Auff. 6—Otago, for Dunedin. , Au |, 7 —Wellington, for Wellington and Northern Ports. Aug. 11—Lord Ashley, for Dunedin. Aug. 12—lady Bird, for Northorn ports Aug. 16—Auckland, for Southern Ports. The steamer Betsy Douglas leaves the Government Wharf every Tuesday and Thursday morning, for Pigeon Bay, at 9 a.m., and on Saturdays at 11 a.m., returning the same day.

YxSSSIS 15 Habboub. SHIPS. Canterbury, Fentie, from London. Tndi'an Empire, Black, from London. BASQUES. Otago, Lunt, from Boston, U.S. Metans, Cummins, from Newcastle, iS.a. w. Oregon, from Newcastle, N.S.W. BBIGS AHD SCHOONERS. Eiflemon, from Wellington. Jupiter, from Hokitika. Meteor, from Auckland. Connaught Banger, from Nelson. Hying Cloud, from Chatham Islands.

- - The New Zbai and, steamer, Captain Anderson, ttwj be expected every day, en route for Dunedin from West Coast. ABKIVAI OP IKB SOKOOKM FITIITO CtOUD. —-This vessel arrived yesterday morning; at halfpast eight o'clock, Jtom the Chatham Islands, bringing several pa-iengers, and fourteen seamen, part of the erew of/the whaling barque Alabama, wrecked on the 14th of June, during one of the heavy gales off this coast about that date. Capt. ' Anderson sailed for this port on the 2oth of July, I arriving as above, The cargo of the Flying Cloud comprises potatoes, onions, &c., and is consigned to Messrs. Hall, Ritchie, sind Co. Wbeck of tub Alabama.—The following ; letters to the United States Consul at Lyttelton, 'were written by Capt. Coffin,at Port Hutt, Chatham Islands, dated July 16th and 23rd, 1865, referring to the above wreck Sir,—l regret to acquaint joa with the loss of the whaling barque Alabama, oi Nantucket, Mass., under the following circumtjmw and which I shall thank you to publish through the medium of the press. Upon May 17th last we entered Petro Bay, bound to Port Hutt; but in consequence of head winds and night fuming on, I was under the necessity of anchoring at Weitangi. On or about Saturday, May 20th, it blew a furious gale from the S.W., ana a heavy sea setting in from the bay, our port *Tiafn parted, and we lost our lightest anchor and ten fathoms of chain. The ship rode out the . remainder of the gale with one anchor and 90 'fathoms of chain. On Tuesday. 23rd May, the gale abated. On or about May 27th, I left Wai- • fangi and sailed across to Port Hutt. This port ■j" • considered the only port of safety in the • fihatham Islands. I arrived at Port Hutt the v —day„at 11.30. On June 9th I had completed ..getting stores, water, and provisions, and was "readyfor sea., The wind was about due south, • I could not beat out. There was no swell at • the time. The wind continued in the same point for four days. On the night of the 13th it ' gradually increased, and at 3 a.m. it blew a strong - gale from the south; a heavy swell was setting . mto the hay at the same time—l mean iato the ; Wbour. I did not consider that there was any • danger, as the holding ground is considered good. II had my heaviest anchor down, with 75 fathoms .of chain. At 3.30 a.m., on June 14th, the ship 'began to drag. The wind was blow- ■ ing at that time almost a hurricane. At 4 a.m. we were close to the rocks. I cannot say whether the chain parted or the fluke of the anchor broke, as I have not yet recovered it. The ■ ship's head fell off rapidly before the wind, and in • few minutes we struck on the rocks, among the breakers. The ship then commenced to thump tremendously. A consultation of the officers was • called, and it was considered best to cut away some of the masts to relieve the ship. I ordered them to cut away the mainmast, which was accordingly done. It fell, carrying away the mizen top- • mast with it. The foremast threatened to fall, and -1 ordered that also to be cut away. The cutting away of the masts relieved the ship, although she < still continued to thump heavily on the rocks. At 4.30 ajn. the lower hold was full of water. At about 10 a.m. part of the crew managed to get 'ashore, and, although we could land • nothing from the ship, some provisions •were thrown overboard and washed ashore, and were taken up by the men on the beach. Seeing that the ship was totally wrecked, we next proceeded to make some arrangements for our comfort; there being no houses near, nor any settlers, we commenced throwing overboard boards, taking down the bulk-heads, which the crew on ' Hie beach gathered up—we commenced building it house. The gale lasted until the latter part of the 17th, so that we could land nothing from the ship. After the gale abated we commenced land- - ing what we could get from the ship, and have continued to do so up to this present time. We' have < about 150 or 160 barrels of sperm oil on board, but I have not been able to save it yet. I got a . little ashore a few days ago—about five barrels of mixed oil. This was from between decks. I have every reason to believe that a quantity of this oil is stove,and that the ship's bottom is badly stovein,as' the tide ebbs and flows inside of the side, the same as on the outside. The crew have used every to save the ship and the cargo belonging 'to it. I have received very kind treatment and consideration from the visitors, both native and European. I am, &c., Alfred M. Coffin, late master of the Alabama, barque. July 28, 1865. Sir, —By the schooner Flying Cloud, I forward part of the crew of the late whaling barque, Alabama, wrecked at this port, 'who wul probably call upon you for assistance. The officers and stewards remain with me upon this island until the schooner's return, as we have not Vet got all we can from the wreck. I have paid ■Captain Anderson, master of the Flying Cloud, £4 each for the passage of the men, which is wages ■due to them.. About all we shall save from the wreck is enough to pay wages due and expenses. Yours, &c., Alfred M. Coffin.

HEATHCOTE. , BAILED. Aug. 4—Lucy James, ketch, for Pigeon Bay., Aug. 4 —Rambler, cutter, for Port. Aug. 4—Prince Consort, schooner, for Weir ] ; ngton. The Wild Wave, schoonner, and the Cordelia, ketch, are lying discharged at the Railway Wharf; and the Sea Bird, schooner, at the Upper Wharf. AKAROA. ARBIVED. Aug. 2—Antelope, cutter, from Lyttelton, with general cargo. sailed. .. Aug. 2 Emu, ketch, from Timaru, with 17,000 feet timber, E. C. Latter. The Margaret, ketch, from Akaroa, for Timaru, had again fo put back to the former port, on the 2nd inst., through stress of weather. WRECK OF THE S.S. TITANIA. (West Coast Times, July 2Q.) The inquiry into I he causes that led to the wreck of the s.s. Titunin, on the Hokitika bar, was held before G. S. Sale, Esq., R.M., and Captain Robertson, late of the p.s. Favourite, on Monday. The riquiry was held at the instigation of E. Patten, Esq., Collector of Customs, who called— Joseph Hughes, sworn, deposed that he was late master of the s.s. Titania,and held a certificate ol competency from the Marine Board of New

Zealand. Left Dunedin on tlio 12th inst., and arrived off the Hokitika bar on the 18th. Signal* led to the station, " Can you pilot mo in P " The answer was " What ships that?" I answered, " Titania." The signals at the station then showed " The bar is dangerous," so I stopped the engines and went under canvas for tho night. On the 10th, a little before 6 a/m., I came down to tho bar attain and signalled >' Can you pilot mo in r but received no reply. I kept on my courso towards the shore, then took a turn out to sea and back again., On my return to the bar I saw the signal " Ebb tide," and then steered outforsoft. When I had got out noavy fnr enough I saw tho signal "High water" Hying. Tlio signal denoting high water was not the usual tidal signal, but the signal for high water according to Marryatt's code, which had piously been used denoting "ebb tide." Tho tidal signals according to Captain Gibson's regulations for the port ot Hokitika were not used while I was witlun view ot the signal staff. I am acquainted with tho tidal signals according to Captain Gibson's regulations for this port. When I saw tho signai tor high water flying, I came in towards tho harbour. Just as I got into the breakers the high-water signal was hauled down and number 8 hoisted. By this time the vessel was aground. I have been to this port before; I was hero about two months and a half ago. Tho bar at that time was just, about where the Titania struck. I had not a copy of the tidal signals for tho port of Hokitika on board tho Titania when I came to the bar. I did not see a blue flag hoisted at the signal mast. 1 did not sec used, on the 19th in9t., the signal for high water in use here—viz., a black ball and red flag. At the time when I came up to the bar tho signal man was speaking with another vessel—mo Montezuma. He was using Marryatt's code. Ihe reason why I had not the published tidal signals for tbis port was because I could not find them, i did not seo any spit ahead of me when I was coming towards shore. I saw the Tiger lying stranded, and intended to pass by her stern, supposing her to be on the north spit. I was wrecked on a point north of where the Tiger is lying. I came in to lookforthe channel, intending, at the time, to have the arms at the signal-staff e ,* orm y direction. I did not see any signal to the effect that the harbour master would come tp me in the ,

William Miskin. ' Bv Captain Robertson: I should not nave attempted the bar if I had not seen the signal denoting high water, according to Marryatt s code. By the Court: I do not know how such a message as " high water is 8 feet" would be conveyed according to Marryatt's code: I suppose it would require two signals. I was surprised to see " high water" flying after the signal denoting ebb tide. I thought the signalman had made a mistake, and had altered his mind afterwards. William Bendall, sworn, said: I am mate of the Titania steamer. I remember standing m towards the bar on the morning of July 19. I saw the signal "Ebb tide running," according to Marryatt's code. At the time we were coming we had the signal, " What water on the bar r I believe high water was about seven o'clock that morning. It was between seven and half-past seven wiien wo stood in for the bar. When "Ebb tide" signalised we steered out to sea again. I was standing ready to let go the anchor when the Captain saw another signal flying. We went aft and discovered it to mean " High water, according to Marryatt's code. He then steered in towards the bar. I was in the Titania in this port about the Ist May. At that time the channel ! was about.where we struck on the 19th inst., or a little to the northward. I did not know that the channel had altered since May 'Ist. I am not acquainted with the local signals in use at Hokitika. There was no copy on board that lam aware of. The signal " High water" was hauled down, first, when we were on the edge of its breakers. After "High water" was hauled down, " Number eight," according to Marryatt's code, was hoisted. "Ifumber eight" is a blue flag with yellow centre. I remember noticing a black ball and white flag hoisted at the signal mast. I do not know whether this was done before the signal denoting '• High water " was hoisted. I was at the .wheel a* we came towards shore. I could not seo any spit. I saw the Tiger lying ashore. She seemed to be inside the spit on the north of the entrance into the river. We had no idea how the channel lay. We depended on the arms being used at the mast. As soon as we saw the spit signal in front of us, the engines were reversed, but the breakers kept bearing us in towards shore. I do' not remember seeing any tidal signal, except a ball and white flag. I do not know what that meant. No tidal signals were used when the Titania entered this port at the end of April or the beginning of May. There was a signal staff. After the vessel struck, everything was done that could be done to get the vessel off; nothing could do any good. Ido not know whether the vessel is j insured. The ordinary way of signalling " high water is ten feet(or any other number of feet)," would be to hoist " highwater " first, and afterwards a number. I was waiting the captain's orders to let go the anchor, when the signal " highwater " was hoisted: It was in consequence of that signal being hoisted that we stood in for shore again. James Kerley, sworn, said: I am harbour-master and pilot. On the morning "of the 19th instant I went down to the flagstaff at about half-past six. 2he Titania then was about four miles away from

the bar. I ran the ball up to the masthead, with no red flag. The meaning of that signal is, "No vessel is to attempt the bar." As. soon as the Titania had got within two miles or a mile and a half I lowered the ball on the cap, and: hoisted the white flag under it. The meaning of that signal is, "Ebb tide; bar dangerous." This signal remained flying all the time until the Titania was wrecked. I hoisted the Titania's number at the flagstaff. I then hoisted, according to Marryatt's signals. "Ebb tide." I then signalled "What water do you draw ? " I got for answer " Seven feet," and then hoisted " High water at," intending to tell him at what hour it would be high water. I then saw the Titania apparently going off from the bar. I was going to breakfast; I bad gone a few yards away from the signalman, when I saw the Titania .making for the shore. I immediately ordered the signalman to haul down the signal "High water at." lam not sure whether the signal was "high water" or

" high water at" I then ran up the blue flag with yellow centre. This is the nearest flag wp have to the blue peter, meaning " Keep to sea." The meaning of the blue flag with yellow centre, according to Marryatt's code, is number "eight/' The Titania still kept in towards shore. All the people who were on the beach did their best—by waving their hats and shouting—to make the Titania keep away to the northward, but it was of no avail. High water on the 18th instant was about seven o'clock. It was from an hour to an hour and a-half after high water when the Titania struck. The red flag was never hoisted on the morning of the 19th. The signal " Ebb tide; bar dangerous " was kept flying from the time when I hoisted until the afternoon. The signal was hoisted an hour before the Titania struck. Ido ,not know whether the arms were used by the signalman. The danger signal, viz., the black ball and white flag on the cap, was perfectly visible to any vessel while Marryatt's code was being used. The signals were quite clear of one another. The top mast at the signal station is about twenty-five feet long. There is plenty of room to keep a signal on the cap and at the same time to signal by Marryatt's code at the mast head. There are three signal eyes and three pairs of halyards at the signal staff.

George Lowrie sworn, said: lam signalman at the Signal Station, Hokitika, and was at the station on the morning of the 19th instant, at ten minutes paat seven. The signal, when I came over to the Station,was the black ball at the masthead, meaning " high water." Tho Titania was from two and a half to three miles from shore at the time. At twenty-five minutes past seven tbo ball was lowered on to the cap, and the white flag hoisted under the ball, meaning " ebb tide, bar dangerous." After this, the Titania'B number was hoisted, I don't think any answer was made from the Titania. We then signalled " What water do you draw ?" answered " Seven feet." We then sigriulled ""Sfeb tide is running," by Marryatt's code. The balra/id white Hag still remained MP. Capt.KerJey then"lold me to give hiralhotimo of high water, In order-to do so I first signalled "high water," by Marryatt's code, intending to follow with •' to-morrow morning," and af'ler that " seven o'clock." As soon as I had hoisted " high Water," the Titania stood in. In order to keep hep#way wo"ran up the blue flag and yellow centre, which is (he nearest /lag we have to the blue peter. The black ball and white flag were still remuining on the cap., Tho blue (lug with yollow centre meant* number "8," according to Marryatt's code. At the time when ye,/an up the blue flag with yellow centre, the Titartiu was about three quarters of a mile away from She still continued on her course. 1 then hoisted tho north arm ijjffht up. When I did nb, the Titania wag from naif a mile to three quarters from tho breakers. I did not seo any alteration in her courso. There was plenty of time for her to have kept clear if she had altered her course in accordance with tho directions given by the arm.

By Captain Robertson: The ball denotes the tide; tho ling denotes the statu of tho bar. Captain Kerley was going to the boat at the time, when the iiignal " high water " according to Marryatt was hauled down. "-'-I called to ask him whether i nlio(|ld liaut it down, lie said—" Yes ; down with it and up with the blue peter."

By Captain. Hughes: If I wished to express Number 8, J. should hoist a numeral pennant above the Hag denoting 8. The aims are not worked on the south flagstaff. My .instructions are to signal at the north flagstaff. I saw tho Titania make a circle when I signalled " Ebb tide running" by Marryatt's code. —

Hokitika Signals.—Tho following is tho now codo as it is given in tho W«st Coast Times of July 29

1. Ball and rod flag at tho mast-head: High i*ator; take the bar. 2. Ball and bluo flag, half-mast: Half flood j vait for tide. , "When tho bar may safoly bo attempted at half ;ide, whether flood or obb, tho rod flag will be at' ho mast-hoad over tho ball, denoting tho state of ids. 3. Ball on tho tower-mast cap, and white flag! Ebb tido; bar dangerous. 4. No signal: Do not attempt tho bar. 5. Red painted arm, pointed to tho right-hand, mtoring from seaward: Moro to tho south. G. Tho other arm, pointed to tho left-hand, mtering from seaward: More to tho north. 7. Tlioams. up and down with thq mastAs r° u K O, , . • 1 L When moro thim ono vessel is crossing the bar, ,ho foremost vessel will bo piloted in, tho others 'ollowing in her wake. . On a moveable pale, in front of the signal mast, ;he two in ono showing the fairway, will oo hoisted if necessary) to show tho set of tho current on ihe bar, thus: — , A red and white pennant —to the northward. A square yellow flag—to tho southward. On tho flagstaff not in use for the piloting siglals, at high-water, tho depth in feet on tho bar vill bo denoted by Marryatt's code. A red light is hoisted on tho signal-mast on the outh spit each night, visible at from three to four 0 There will be an anchor, and chain, and line ittached to the South Spit, and boat and boat s srew in readiness at high-water, every tido, to assist any vessel coming over tho bar. When the bar is only fit for steamers to take, a red flag will be hoisted on the north flagstaff. W hen tor sailing vessels, a red flag and ball. Masters of vessels are particularly requested to attend to the small tidal flag on the spit, as the small tidal flag and the large flag in one takes them over the bar.

Thb Bab at Hokxtika.—The news from Hokitika by the next mail will certainly not improve the reputation of our port, though we believe the casualties that have taken place are more to be attached to the carelessness, or want of judgment, of those in command of the stranded vessels than to our port. The Bchooner Lady Franklin, in attempting to enter, mistook the channel, and got on the worst part of the spit—a place scarcely covered even at high water. The

p.s. Lyttelton started an hour and a half before; high water, the captain in .his eagerness quite omitting to take tho mail to the Lady Darhng lying outside, which vessel the Lyttelton was! going out to lighter, In addition to going before the proper time of tide, the person in charge set at nought the signals made directing his course; and instead of taking the two flags in one, which would have got him safely to sea, went, as if intentionally, right by them, and of course straight on to tho spit, where, at high water yesterday, he lay with his paddles dangling a foot above the surface. Blame cannot by any possibility be attached to the signalman this time; but if masters of vessels will persist in paying no attention to the efforts of those on shore to direct them, it is their own fault if they come to grief. A warp was extended from the ship to the snore, and a hundred willing hands rendered their aasis- ' tance, but it soon parted; and though a second was substituted, it was evident that something more than manual labour was required to shift her. The harbour has become quite impassable for sailing vessels, through the sinking of the Titania' almost in mid-chanriQ, she having been forced off the bank on Wednesday night last by the; heavy sea then rolling tin. Her masts ana the i end of her bowsprit are idl that now are visible of her. When the vessels now outside will be able to enter is a matter for speculation, and the Lady Darling, there is little doubt, will proceed on to Nelson, and land her passengers there. The foolhardy practice of coming on shore in a small boat from the vessels outside is now becoming more prevalent, three or four having accomplished the feat within the past few days—in safe ty, certainly, though in more than one instance with a narrow escape of a capsize. We understand that the skippers of the schooners Montezuma and Jeannie Dove were in one of the boats tbat landed yesterday; the latter vessel is reported to be making eight or nine inches of water per hour, and it is expected 6he will have to be beached.—lbid, July 22.