SIGNALS FOR THE PORT OF NELSON, NEW ZEALAND.

Nelson Examiner and New Zealand Chronicle, Volume III, Issue 139, 2 November 1844, Page 1

SIGNALS FOR THE PORT OF NELSON, NEW ZEALAND.

When one or more vessels appear id the bay, a pendant will be hoisted at the mast head, of tbe signal staff on Britannia' Heights ;' and as soon as the vessel or vessels can be properly made out, the following signabj will be hoisted. at the yar£ arm : —

1, ship; 2, barque; 3, brig; 4, brigantine; 5, schooner; 6, cutter or sloop ; 12, lugger; 13, Br.i-, tish man-of-war; 14, foreign man-of-war; 15, foreign merchant ship or whaler ; 16, Government colonial vessel; 21, steamer.

When the numerals are hoisted unaccompanied by any pendant they are 1 to be understood as single numbers, as 1, 2, 3, 4, &c. ; hut when they are to be taken double, as 12, 13, 14, &c, a pendant will be hoisted over each of the two numerals intended to be shown, to distinguish them from single numbers.

12 is represented by a pendant and No. 1 over 2; 21 by a pendant and No. 2 over 1: No. 3at the mast head, vessel ashore or in distress, reqipres. assistance. The numerals are as follow: —

Stephen Cabkeek, ' ■ < - Harbour Office, Nelson, Harbour Master. October 21,1844.

Loss of the American Whaler. Thttle. — The Moreton Bay correspondent of the Sydney Herald, on the 3d of October, writes as follows : — " The following particulars of the loss of the American whaling ship Thule, from Nantucket, Coffin, master, out twenty-seven months, with 1,050 bar* rels of sperm oil on board, have been communicated to me by Captain Coffin, who arrived at this 'port, in company with his second and third mates and thirteen hands, on the 20th. ultimo, in two of, the boats belonging to the ship : — The Thule left Rptamah near two oumths since, with the intention of fishing on this coast, and putting into Sydney about Christmas for refreshments. They made the Mineroo Reefs or Booby Shoals on. the 10th ultimo, and stood off during the night. At two, p.m., they tacked, and again stood towards the reef, supposing- they would again sight them at daylight and run through ; but, unfortunately, at thirty minutes past four, turn., she struck, the current having in two hours set them, with astonishing rapidity, off their course. No time was lost in getting the boats lowered down, but the bow boat was knocked to pieces before she could be cast off from the davits. A few minutes after she struck, the second mate, Mr. Neale, cut away her masts ; but, from the heavy manner she was striking against the side of the shoal, all hopes were abandoned of getting anything out of her. In fact, so rapidly did the vessel breakup, it was found impossible to save .even a cask of water. In less than en hour after she struck the bottom was out of her, and the oil forced its way up to the surface of the water. The captain got into the boat almost in a state of nudity, saving only his chronometer, a chart, and a few other small articles. The whole of the crew were also obliged to abandon everything, on their finding it useless to remain by the wreck any longer. Three boats, containing twenty-four souls, shoved off, intending to keep company until they made Moreton Bay; but unfortunately the mute, Mr. Nicholson, parted company with his boat during the following night, and has not, up to this time, reached the bay. The captain, with the thirst mate, got first into the bay, after being six days at sea. The second mate and his crew were also as fortunate. They suffered dreadfully for want of water, but had all their wants supplied on making a station belonging to the German mission, near the entrance pf the Brisbane River. The master and a portion of the crew take their passage per steamer to Sydney. The inhabitants of Brisbane have contributed their mite towards relieving the wants of the destitute seamen, eaqh being furnished with a new shirt, trousers, shoes, blankets, and one pound of tobacco. lam soriy to say we have ha 4no intelligence pf the missing boat, containing the chief officer and seven hands. It U feared they have landed on the main to the northward of this, and been surprised by the blacks, who are a cruel and revengeful race, ever ready to commit mischief. > Captain Coffin, I believe, is part owner of the Thuje, «nd has insured for the hull, but not for cargo, consequently will be a severe loser. '

Smuggling is now so completely organized in Spun, th*t .there wm lately a regular pitched fc»ttle between 300 smugglers and a party of mounted custom-house officer*; "the officers- ware defeated, leaving twenty killed and ten wowufed.