Maritime Record.

New Zealander, Volume XV, Issue 1359, 27 April 1859, Page 2

Maritime Record.

The arrival of the Prince Alfred, from Sydney, has for * om ? days been anxiously looked for, notwithstanding the genera, belief that she will'not be the bearer of the Febrjaryte She was advertised to sail on the 11th inst., and therefore, it punctual to her time, has been fifteen days out. A. repori received on Monday, that she had been sighted a long way outside the Manukau Heads which, under the strong gale men and since blowing, it was impossible for her to *PP roacn - " she actually were in the situation reported it would have Men well, perhaps, that the Master had a discretionary power to bear up and save time by doubling the North Cape, ana coming direct into Auckland Harbour. The steamer White Swan, took her departure for Napier and the South yesterday shortly after noon. After clear '"B the Wharf, his Excellency the Governor, embarked from the Wynyard Pier, in one of the boats of H.M.S. Ins. which ship, as well as lI.M. sloop Elk. manned yards in honour of her Majesty's representative who has proceeded by the steamer on a tour to the Southern settlements. KAIPAKA HARBOUR Wc are indebted to Mr. Lewis, Master of the barque Signet, for the following interesting particulars relative to this harbour. Mr. Lewis, it ii well known, is a bold, skilful, and intelligent seaman, familiar with the West coast of New Zealand, his Information, consequently, is of the utmost importance. At the date at which Mr. Lewis wrote, the Hornet a ship of 115.J tons register, (same owner as the Signet) was daily expected at Kaipara. To the Editor of the New-Zkamn'okii. Kaipara, on hoard Signet, April Iftth, 1H59. Sin,— 1 left Melbourne on Wednesday the 3(>th March ; towed part of the way down Hobson't Bay, and that afternoon sailed through the Heads, and discharged the Pilot; put him on board of the Eagle ship belonging to Messrs Bright, Brothers, & Co. of Liverpool,—having made the run out in 9S days. On Thursday, 31st March, when about twenty miles west of Kent's Group, the splendid clipper ship Suffolk coossed my stern steering about two points more southerly, she had on board a great many passengers bound for London, having left Hobson's Bay in tow the day previous to my sailing. April 9th at 8 a.m. I saw Kaipara Heads bearing N.N.E. about 20 miles, the wind at the tin.e being light from the southward it took me until 3 p.m. to draw up close to the breakers; Iran round from the South Head towaids the North Head in order to find a channel to sail in through, but eould not see anything of one, on account of the South Bank, which is called roaring Tom overlapping the North Hanks ; until I brought the North Head to bear nearly N.E., and then I saw a large and rlear channel before me, which I did not take that day on account of the flood tide being far expended and the winds very light. 1 wore the ship's head to the S.W. ; the wind being very light for several days, and variable fmra East to N.E., I could not fetch near soundings until Tuesday the I2th instant, At 11 a.m. I got bottom at twenty-one fathoms; from there to the outer banks, which were breaking on either side, is about two or two and a half miles, and gradually decreases in depth to five and a half and six fathoms, and that at lower water, neap tides. When near the outer bank I was surprised to see such a large straight and direct channel to the N.E. and 1 was determined to see the extent of it. 1 reached from side to side, the wind at the time from the N.E,, and I found it to be nearly two miles in breadth, until within the Tory Shoal and North Headland and North Head, which decreases to about one and one and a quarter miles. My soundings varied from six to twenty-five fathoms, until within the North Head, where 1 had from 10 to2o fathoms for two miles inside where I anchored for the night. Having heard so much of the dreadful casualties which have taken place at Kaipara, I think it my duty to lay this before the public. I believe if careful inquiries were mide into the casualties which have occurred at the entrance of this it port would be shown that in nearly every case they have taken place in consequence of the vessel either attempting to enter the intricate channels to the north and south, where they have the influence of various tides, or attempting it at an improper time of tide, with a light wind. I passed an examination before Captain Drury and others in 1855, for the Pilot and Harbour Mastership, Manukau, and had charge of that station for twenty-two months ; during that time I did sail and row in the Manukau water all over, both inside and out and through all the different channels. I find the Manukau a very inferior port to enter in bad weather to Kaipara, on account of its bar running down sj very steep to seaward ind causing the sea to rise so suddenly, which makes it to heavily in a moderate gale. It is not so at Kaipara, for it gradually decreases from the outer banks to seaward for miles. I am, Sir, Your very obedient servant, M. S. Lkwis, Master of the Signet, and late Pilot and Harbour .Master of the Manukau. THE ADDITIONAL SUBSIDY FOR STEAM. To the Editor of the Nku-Zkala.vdbr. Sir,— Jon Bull is proverbially a drowsy animal, and will quietly submit to a great deal of humbugging; but he may be roused from his repose by a direct attack on his breeches' pocket. His progeny in this "Albion of the South" bear some resemblance to their venerable ancestor, but, unlike him, not even an attack on their purse strings will start them from their lethargy. This is illustrated by the official correspondence published in your issue of the Kith inst., wherein the Government coolly inform the public that they intend to present £6llOO of the public funds to a Steam Company; and that they intend to give an indefinite sum (in addition to the £6tXJOI to the same body of proprietary. The conduct of the Government in this affair would be clear, if, as is alleged, a leading member of the Ministry is also deeply interested in the Steam fleet, either as a principal and proprietor, or as a salaried agent. The case appears to be this: the Steam Company entered into an arrangement with our rulers, through Mr. Sewell, and with the consent of the Home Government, to do a certain service for the Colony for the sum of £24,G > a year; of this the Home Government liberally undertake to pay one half. The duty requires three steamers to perform it, and a fourth to be in reserve; the Home Government insisted on the nuaber of ships being sent out; but after they have arrived here, their Agent informs us that he only intends to run two out of the four, and intends to/ay up the largest ship of the fleet; that if we want our mails, we must pay an additional 23 per cent, to the turn originally agreed on. The impossibility of the present route ever paying is obvious; that one steamer could not do the passage between Sydney and Auckland (or Manukau) Did Nelson, monthly, is certain; unless indeed she was to coal but at one place, and only once a month, an 1 never stop to discharge or receive cargo at any place but one, the bottom of Blind bay; and further that she was able to steam out of the Manukau and off the whole West coast in the teeth of a Westerly gale. Seeing the prospect of paying traffic on this route is nil a simple colonist would imagine that the contractors would jump at the chance of an alteration which would would promise a larger paying trade; not so our steam agents. It does not appear that our great statesmen have made any provision for penalties in case rjf non-fulfilment; so the contractors' agent says (in effect, if not in woids): •< The route does not suit, but, if you wish it altered, pay me my own price, or put up with the inconvenience''; and our clever rulers quietly promise, first, an addition of 25 per cent., or £(1000 a year; next, another and indefinite sum for wear and tear, coals, &c-; third, another additional 25 per cent, or £GI M) a year (in case they choose to make another alteration); and, finally, that the rival steamer shall be discharged. I need scarcely add that this rival steamer, the White Swan, is the first we have yet subsidised, that is fit to perform the duties for which she is paid. Is this, Sir, a fair specimen of the diplomatic talent of our rulers ? Yours, <Sic, A Colonist. April 22nd, ll«!». [As we read the new contrnct, there is to be onlv one f6(KV) additional, beyond the indefinite and elastic clauses as to wear and tear.—Ed, N.Z.] MURDER OF CAPTAIN PROUT AND THE CREW OF THE "MAID O? AUSTRALIA." The ** Phantom" b'ingsus the melancholy intelligence of the massacre of Captain Prout and nine of the crew of the schooner «« Maid of Australia,'' at Kanicola, better known as La Perouse's Island. The schooner had gone there in search of beche-le-mer. and on her arrival on the 24ih January commenced operations. The natives were very friendly, and with their assistance a beche-)e-mer curing house was in the course of construction. Things went on in an amicable manner, and no suspicion of hostility was excited till the 3rd February. On the morning of that day the mate, Mr. llovell, had gone in the boat to survey the reel's for fish; while the captain and four Yangen natives had gone on shore to complete their houses and to trade, leaving one white man, named Charles Rack, and boatswain, a native of New Caledonia, on board. This opportunity was seized for the purpose of carrying into execution the murderous designs which had been formed previously. It appears, from tne subsequent testimony of the two natives saved, that several canoes, each containing three or four men, had pulled out to the schooner, and were allowed to board, while, on shore, each of the crew was followed by others of the islanders. At a given signal a simultaneous attack was made, Captain Prout was despatched on stooping to issue out from the curing house, and the others were tomahawked as they were at their occupations. On board the vessel two men were at once killed, but fortunately two natives escaped, one of whom was dangerously wounded, and subsequently died. These swam to the reef, fell in with the mate's boat, and warned him. He proceeded to the vessel and found it despoiled of the trade, firearms, tools, clothing, the greater part of provisions, and in fact almost everything portable. The dead body of the native boatswain was lying where it had fallen, near the main hatch. The white man's body had been thrown overboard. None of the islanders could be seen, as they had gone off with their spoil in canoes, intending to return for the remainder, which they had piled up on deck. Mr. Hovell courageously determined to go on shore, and there fouud, lying on the beach, Captain Prout's body, much mutilated, and transfixed by an arrow. In sorrow the last rites were paid. Under a large tree a grave was dug. the remains of the captain interred, and all marks tending to guide the natives to the spot carefully obliterated. One of the Yangen men had been killed near the curing house, and his body was also found. The rest had been thrown into the sea. <)n the mate's return to the vessel, the sails were immediately bent; and as the native canoes were seen making a second trip the anchor was weighed, and the sweeps having been put out. the schooner was pulled through the passage pursuod by the islyijders. who, however, did not venture into the open sea. A hurricane was experienced on the subsequent day, and thq weather generally was very stormy during the voyage to Erromanjia, which D ttVß}s J*verttef& days/ ; Gu«st {raise ii dut tc

Mr. Hovell for his exertions in cafe] a port through the difficulties he had i white man being onboard, and the nati< i* tfrv-Pllw exhausted on their arrival at Errorni The French government, on hearin»7 f that hnd the"" Styx" been in working ord have been sent to the scene ; but, in the " *** "ow?*' l *! vessel at their disposal. Uesides, theschc^^tll'S vessel, it is considered by the commander tf*J*W** it is more particularly the province of th,, ''ThA the matter up. fC « Q?^?% Captain Prout's death will baajucj, tg \ a native of New South Wales. a?d weti^' 1 * 1 Nn n. as master of the " Blue Jacket," and subseu u" 0 "* Iti* 11 Subjoined is an extract from the log- nt 'yofy^^°*B^ Extract from the log of ketch •■ Maidof "Thursday, February 3—a.m.: Hea- Au!tT %» with heavy rain. While returning to the sh "■' tb (belonging 10 the vessel) walking on the pu lied to him and took him into the boat *" J natives were fighting, and that he hadescaiied 1 eii in the shoulder with a poisoned arrow D" Sk? the reef for about a mile, picked upaiioth, Srof pulli »|!iJ who informed us that the natives had ri&jn eil *«ii ' Prout. Charles Rock, boatswain (a nativei 2?*"?*'(W and four V'angen natives. Pulled to t | lß °^4 ll |iiiJ board; found nobody there except bnats»»' ""'•ft'' dead by the main hatch. Went on shore ad Prout's body washing about the beach; 0 . 0,11| 4 (vj also the body of one of the Yangen native,"''? S killed in the water, and sunk. Went on had killed Rock on the port side of hatch. «'* K the quantity of blood that was on the deck;. bi l*** and thrown the body overboard. Went do ' found thejthau* plundered the ship of all tnjd? "* "Sis clothes, and nearly all the provisions! sunk o.' away the dingy, and three Cannola women. i t " they meant to return, by the remainde" of **'"'** li piled on deck. Unmoored and commenced to 1 *"° f ''* ll i, fc up aloft, crossing the topsail yard, noticed rh,"'• ft out again; got under way immediately; put C,IWe, pulled for the passage, there being no n\ n i '""""T"? mil fhrmi»h rh» n ailM g e , t he wind came 01 ' " —« c " uld n«t come « )ut af . count of the swell. " Midnight calm with heavy rain, without ;,,, " (Signed, A. R. Hov E ,r«^ " Experienced a hurricane on the Gin and 7th i- " On the Kith February. Danmer, the m*J££fc% from lockjaw." WoUß *«*!n l ThbGrksham Rkc-orc Buov.-The Ofo»L W|V nal g.ves an account of a drawing and 4em, f u<m2l K buoy. Our contemporary say*-- The dieidfui *• which the public have b»en kept in such instance.' U,,>ai ** 'dent, the Pacific, the City of Glasgow, and rhich, after sailing from a port, have never tie has inspired a humane gentleman, John G England, to invent what he calls a " Record Buoi a present of hs invention to the world, and to ledge of it we copy the illustration of it fro Engineer. Every sea-going ship, of whateverde* carry one or more, with the ship's name, port,' B registration number primed distinctly on them,' I found it would be known to what ship it had belonprf if there was uo record within. They would be pro.!/ a chamber and small spring valve in the upper pjn, outwards, and capable of resisting any ordinary rffiP in this hollow M >ace or chamber it is proponed to insert 5 of paper or caid, or any other document, aad tmilL made large enough, when all hope of safety nrrei and at the final jinking or breaking up of the I would float off with the probability of being picked » time. The record buoy is intended to be made of« per, of sufficient size to be applicable to the p U i as indicated in the illustration, in bright red am and fitted with a small bell and flag on the upper pan" are several advantages to be derived from th e use of thii and amongst others three of impoitance, vu,- nnl i. mournful satisfaction to surviving friends and reUtioni of' informed of what has befallen the ship and crew; J satisfaction to insurance companies and the insured ih. ship and cargo are really and for ever Inst; and tbirdir, Z light which may be thrown on science, ci such recardim probably explain the cause of accidents, and the circunutw, attending them—for instance, whether owing to thebuiWaj wan of strength in the ship, failure in machinery (htactf. steain-vessel), or having struck an iceberg, or ttrudaia rock. In case also of imminent danger to a chip, thex similar buoys might be set afloat, with the chitmof faefa picked up, containing a description of their RitßitirWajfe ger, thereby giv ng a chance of relief. They wouUah glass bottle., so often used in case of accidents chance of being picked up. and be less liable tp injury, hj induce ships to pick them up when seen, a renfri !,-..•■. given for any one brought into any port." ,i/ The Missing Bricjof War Sappho.—On / t 4thofJa«n afparagraph appeared in out shipping columns, makiugm* that H. B. M. brig Sappho was fpoken by Captain McDootilrf the brig Varrow, off Cape Nelson. Again, onthe&ijtf January, a statement made by the late chief officer of | Varrow, likewise appeared in our columns; the one, Uuto! the chief officer, was from memory, whereas that of Capo, MclJoua'd, who was a: that time and still is in camsmii the Varrow, was taken from the log-book; we must theit&s presume that the latter gautleinau's version must be the w correct, and as the Varrow, arrived in Hobton's Bay on Sanaday, we have through the courtesy of Captain McDm", teen enabled to see the log-book relative to thelimeai position of the Sappho being spoken by the Varrow,nd■ there is some slight difference between the statement madetf the late chief orlirer and that taken from the log-bnoi, n give the following account from the latter. On thelflthFii> ruary, 1858, at about 8 a in., spoke H.B.M. brig Sappha.nw Table Bay, bound to Sydney, Cape N'eison at that time baling bv compass X. by W., distance about seventeen mil*. Both vessels were going in the same direction, the Sippto much the fastest of the two. At noon the same <t»ythcp.v sit ion of the Varrow was. latitude 3!" 42' S., longitrtde, Hl' 30/ E. Shortly alter the two vessels parting company,the Sappho took in her fore topmast stud sail, and hauled data a virid which was at the time about east, but afiernnli hauled further to the southward.— Ai-cvs, March 21.