AN ENGLISH STEAMER IN THE HANDS OF AN ENGLISH SEAMAN.

Nelson Examiner and New Zealand Chronicle, Volume IV, Issue 179, 9 August 1845, Page 92

AN ENGLISH STEAMER IN THE HANDS OF AN ENGLISH SEAMAN.

Boulogne, November 13. — As the wind yesterday blew south and by west (the worst wind in the Channel, as all sailors know), the Western Jetty was exposed to the whole rage of the sea— such a sea as few have ever seen, and was, for the most part, hidden by the waves that rolled over it. It served, however, as a protection to the East Jetty. Within a few moments after " a vessel in sight " was announced by the raising of a flag, the Eastern Jetty was, as I have said, covered with, at the very least, 1,500 persons. The vessel that had an attraction so powerful appeared to be just outside of the dangerous bar, not more than 100 yards from the end of the Western Jetty. She was struggling hard, but struggling gallantly, against the tide, the tempest, and the current of an awful sea, to gain an offing to the westward, before making the attempt to enter the harbour. Though so near, the vessel could not be distinguished with any approach to certainty through the thick rain. However, the opinion of the crowd decided at once upon the vessel and the commander. "No other vessel but the Princess Maude, no other captain but Captain Monger, would dare to face Boulogne Bay to-day.'* The conjecture was correct; it was the Princess Maude and the gallant commander named. Whatever opinion, however, had been formed of either ship or captain, the most painful feelings of apprehension were excited by her situation for some time. It was long doubted whether the great steam power of the vessel could win the offing necessary to give her a free sweep in between the light-house and the bar. " She will do it " — " It is impossible," ran from mouth to mouth in anxious whispers ; the prevailing feeling was, however, desponding. At length the first great point was gamed — the noble little vessel won her way considerably westward of the lighthouse. Next came a severer trial, to round into the harbour without overshooting it, from the combined force of the storm, tide, and sea; for to overshoot the harbour would be to go directly ashore. Having secured his offing, Captain Monger brought his vessel about ; and, to the amazement of the timid and unskilful, spread a broad extent of canvas, under the tremendous gale, bearing down upon the mouth of the harbour with a rapidity perfectly terrific. As the vessel passed the lighthouse, almost every heart sunk under the impression that nothing could check or divert her direct progress to the sands. -A stifled moan was heard through the crowd, when, as if by magic, the sails dropped instantly, the vessel changed her course full 90 deg., and then shot up the harbour at the rate of at least fifteen miles an hour. The enthusiasm of the spectators found expression in a loud cheer, which was again and again repeated. The most striking circumstance in the whole of this truly magnificent scene was the total absence of everything that could be called accident, either favourable or unfavourable. All was obviously the necessary result of means coolly and accurately calculated, and applied with the characteristic skill and courage of a British seaman. Captain Monger knew what his vessel could do, and he did not scruple to risk the proof. Some naval officers of high rank and of great experience, who witnessed the scene, do not scruple to acknowledge that they for a time anticipated a very different result, and to confess that no vessel of the old construction, whether sailing or steam vessel, could have accomplished what the Princess Maude accomplished yesterday. No sailing- vessel or old-fashioned steam- vessel could have gained her offing against such difficulties, as no vessel less sharp than the new iron steamers could have been made to obey the helm with such miraculous promptitude. This seemed to solve the problem as to the best quality of steam-vessels, at least of the smaller size. The sharp iron steamers are manifestly the best. In the hands of such a man as Captain Monger, a sharp iron steamer is, in the very worst weather, perfectly safe — far safer than a London wherry is in the best weather. — Correspondent of Morning Herald.

Isthmus op Panama. — We read in the Havre journal: — "The long- projected idea of carrying on the correspondence between Europe and Peru, across the Isthmus of Panama, is, it is said, about to be realized. M. Marcescheau, the French Charge d' Affaires at Bolivia, was charged by his Government to find the means of establishing this service, but has hitherto met with insurmountable local obstacles. But Captain Boulanger, who is well known and highly esteemed at Havre, and has resided in Peru for several years, has come forward and undertaken to realize the plans of M. Marcescheau. It is proposed that three fast-sailing vessels, ably commanded, shall be appointed to convey the letters, passengers, and merchandise, between Callao and Panama, touching every voyage at Pay ta. By sending the despatches from Europe to Chagres, and therice across the Isthmus, to be again embarked from the point at which the new, packets arrive, it is expected that they will reach the city of Lima in sixty or seventy days from the time of their departure, whereas it requires double the time for them to arrive at their destination by the passage round Cape Horn. It is probable that, through the active exertions of Captain Houlanger, who is the director of this new line, the project is already carried into execution, and that this way of communication will be announced to the public, and must be received by all interested in it with the approbation and pleasure it is so well calculated to excite." Rise in the Prick of Timber. — We are informed that the advance in the price of American timber, within the last twelve months, has been nearly 50 per cent. — Olasqow Courier.