Maritime Record.

New Zealander, Volume XV, Issue 1422, 3 December 1859, Page 3

Maritime Record.

th * Sll(>< "itig Star. Captain E. J. VMeii, the third ship of I ' . VVt,i,e s '»r Line of Liverpool I'ackeif, came into port, in ""•'P'ed condition.—mainmast fi.hed. and main to* gallant mH d ° W " ■—" f, * r ■ passage of a hundred and eleven day», on *" n e«<lay afternoon. She was towed to sea onthellth u KUst, a „ f j , ()e fuicn light having been reached on the 13th •71°" * aS MSt ' ;n " am< ,he passage commenced against a head tttd C ""^ ht ,ne North-easi trade, a very light one. in lalith on' 0 NoMh longitude 19= West. Crossed the Equator on Wauh September in longitude 23 c S7' West; experienced a

long detention in the variable*, and had a very poor South-east trade, which she carried no further than 16 ° 20* South latitude 32 = 40' West longitude. Sighted Gough's Island on the 11th October; and, on the 12th, in latitude 41 c South, longitude 5 3 West, it then blowing a harj gale from the South-south-west, the mainmast was discovered to be badly sprung under the head of the rigging; the royal and top gallant gear were at once tent down, and the mast secured by three spars which were lashed abaft and on either side, as well as by stout preventer back-stays which were set up well aft. Passed the meridian of the Cape of Hood Hope, on the 14th. in latitude 41 ° South ; and on the 20th, in latitude 39° 40' South, longitude 13° 10* East, fell in and exchanged colours with the Greyhound, a ship chartered by the White Star Company and which had sailed from Liverpool for Melbourne; the Greyhound apparently had her bows stove in, and was heading to the Eastward; it was then blowing hard, and the Shooting Star was labouring greatly. On the 27th. in latitude 42 c 30' South, longitude 36° 41 East, it then blowing a very heavy gale at Northwest, carried away the fore yard. Ran down her Eastijg between the parallels of 44 ° and 45° South, experiencing moderate weather. On the 19th November passed to the Southward, but in sight of Tasmania.making the Three Kings at midnight of the 28th: and sighted the steamer Airedale about 8 a.m., on the 29th. There were two births, and two deaths (both adults) during the passage. One was a passenger of consumption, the other was that of a seaman who dropped dead whilst at the wheel from disease of the heart. Otherwise the ship was remarkably healthy. She was under the medical superintendence of Dr. Jones, who visited Auckland, in a like capacity, in the Cresswell, about four years since. The casualties which the Shooting Star encountered sufficiently explain the cause of her protracted passage. She comes into port in clean and creditable condition, and from the glowing character of the testimonials presented to Captain Allen and his Officers, it is clear that Ship and Captain have maintained the high repu tation which they have hitherto enjoyed in the Australian passenger trade.

Like the bulk of the immigrants that have been arriving during the past twelve months, the passengers by the Shooting Star are of a similar stalwart class and orderly and respectable bearing. According to the Official List, they uumber 173 souls, all told, being equal, b) computation, to 15[ statute adults. Of these »05 are English,3!) Scotch, and 29 Irish,among whom there are reported to be 88 farmers, 14 spinsters- 4 joiners, 1 carpenter, I engineer, 1 gardener, I governess, 1 labourer, with their wives and families.

The Bishop of New Zealand's schooner yacht, Southern Cross, arrived at her moorings, off the Tamaki Heads, at about 9 a.m. on Thursday. We have received no report from the vessel, but we learn that she has returned from a missionary voyage to the South Sea Islands. We regret to learn that the cutter Agnes, 15 tons, native owners, Hoani Taua, Master, was wrecked on Saturday the 19th November, at Parengerenga, North Cape. In resequence of the tiller having got broken the anchor was let go; but, there being a heavy sea on, the chain snapped short off and the cutter was driven upon the rocks and became a total wreck; cargo saved. She sailed from Auckland on the 7th with a general cargo and three passengers for Mongonui where she arrived on the 13th. Sailed from Mongonui for the North on the 15th, and was proceeding to load with kauri gum, for Capt, Butler, when the misfortune occurred. The Agnes, which was built at Wahapu by Mr. Brown, was the property of the natives of Awanui who purchased her in Auckland about two years since. The Fairy, schooner, which belonged to the same parties, was lost in the Awanui river, a short time previous to the purchase of the Agnes. During Thursday and yesterday, it blew a fierce gale commencing at about N.N'.K. In the first instance, the weather was hard and dry, clouds of dust blowing in every direction, On Thursday, between 3 and 4 p.m., the wind came away in angry squalls, with torrents of rain. These continued with undiminished force throughout the whole of Thursday night and the early part of Friday morning; but, about 11 a.m., the wind suddenly hauled round to N.W., and thence Westerly. There was a great deal of broken water in the river, and the sea tumbled home into Commercial, and Official Bays, and the Southern shore with great fury, A portion of th« sea wall near Smale's point was washed down by the back draught, and one or two of the small craft and cargo boats sustained some damage; the general injuries, however, were exceedingly trifling; and it is a noticeable fact that the good ship Harwood, lying at the extremity of the Wharf, was actively at work the whole time, discharging yesterday, five and twenty tons of cargo. Shooting Star, Auckland Harbour, December 1, 1859. CAPTAt.V E. J. AI.I.KS, Dkar Sir,—Having safely arrived at the end of our voyage, we are desirous of expressing our sincere thanks for the gentlemanly and kind manner in which you have uniformly treated us, and further to express our admiration of the skilful manner in which you have navigated the ship, and brought us in safety to our destined port; after a voyage which, on account of the distance, must necessarily be a long one, despite the past deeds of the Shooting Star, Allow us to offer our most sincere thanks to yourself and Mrs. Allen, for the many kindnesses shewn us by both of you. Long may you be spared to each other, and imy you dispense to future passengers the same happiness that you have diffused throughout the ship in which we have had the good fortune to make the voyage, which could not have been passed in a more agreeable manner under existing circumstances. In conclusion, should you ever emigrate to New Zealand, which we hope you may, we only wish that the commander of the ship in which you take your passage, may be a man who. like yourself, deservedly holds the reputation of being the most popular man in the passenger trade, and may he do to you, as you have ever acted to others. We remain, Hear sir. With regard and esteem, Very sincerely yours, [Here follow all the passengers' names ] Shooting Star, Auckland Harbmr, December 1, 11359. T. C. Jones, Esq., Surgeon, Dkar Sir, —As we are now about to separate, allow us before parting to express the high esteem we feel for you as Medical officer of the Shooting Star. When we consider the length ot the voyage and the number of medical cases which must necessarily occur among a large community, we cannot withhold our admiration of your professional skill, (of which the good health of all is a voucher), nor our regard for the affability and gentlemanly manner with which you have ever treated us. Wishing you every happiness and success in your profession, We remain, Dear sir, Yours sincerely, [Here follow the names of all the passengers.] Shooting Star, Auckland Harbour, December I, 1859.

Mr. Cri'lCKSHank. Chief Officer,

Dkar Sir,—Now that the Shooting Star has arrived at Auckland, we the undersigned passengers feel that it would be a dereliction of duty on our part were we to separate without acknowledging the kindness, civility, and attention we have received at your hands during- this passage, protracted beyond the length expected, on account of the light baffling and contrary wind* we have experienced. Your admirable skill in the management of the ship under trying circumstances, also calls forth our admiration. Should you be spared to have the command of a passenger vessel, we shall be glad to learn that any of our friends who may leave their native country may place themselves under your protection, feeling assured that those good qualities which you have displayed as first mate, will appear to greater advantage as Captain. Wishing you a long and happy life, and the success in your noble profession that your anilities so well deserve, We remain, Dear sir. With regard and esteem, Yours very truly, [Here follow all the passengers' names.] Shooting Star, Auckland Harbour, December 1, 18.59. Mn. Biker, Second Officer, Dkar Sir, —We cannot take leave of the Shooting Star without expressing the admiration called forth by your unremitting attention and kindness to all classes of passengers. Your zeal to contribute towards the instruction and amusement of all is well worthy the imitation of those occupying similar positions in your noble calling. We sincerely trust that you may be spared to attain a preeminence in your distinguished profession as the just desert of your admirable and sailor-like conduct as second mate. Hoping that we shall meet again, and wishing you all happiness in this life, We remain, Dear sir. Yours sincerely, [Here follow the names of all the passengers.]