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New Zealand Herald, Volume I, Issue 255, 6 September 1864, Page 4

Thk ' Siotia.'—The floating oil'of this fine steamer, notwithstanding the melancholy casualties which have occurred since the commencement of the undertaking, is spoken oil'hopefully by the Deity i\«i. In its issue of the 2l'nd ult.. that journal says : —" A large number of persons left town on Saturday for Bluii'Harbour, in order to witness the operation of floating oil' the s.s. ' Scotia.' Cobb and Co.'s coach was full of passengers, and numerous vehicles and horsemen were also to be seen proceeding down tho Blull'-Road. The steamer ' William Miskiu' left at three o'clock oil Saturday afternoon, with a largo number of passengers on board. The * William Miskiu' had been engaged to tow oil' the Scotia, should the floating of her be successfully accomplished. Bv a letter which we received last uighr, from our Til it IV correspondent, we learn that although evcrvthing is in readiness, yet owing to a strong east wind, with a very heavy sea, whieli prevailed both on Saturday and yesterday, the floating oil" was not attempted. Our correspondent speaks most hopefully, and seems to entertain no doubt of the ultimate sue--1 eessful issue of the enterprise. Mr. J. It. Havies | returned to town last night, and that gentleman is ! equally hopeful with our correspondent. Mr. Davies | states that a p jrtion of the floating power, consisting I of casks and tanks, has been placed on board the ; ' Scotia,' and has imparted such a degree of buoyancy to the vessel, that when the sea beats heavily upon her, instead of lurching suddenly, she rolls with a comparatively easy notion. As soon as the weather moderates sutliciently, operations will be at once commenced. 'J he steamer * William Miskin' is at the lJlutr in waiting." The Daily (Invercargill) contains the following not very encouraging remarks :—" The letter of our Blui'F correspondent contains two melancholy items of intelligence. The lirst is the failure of the steamer ' Kuby' to find any truces of the punt which left the river to assist in the experiment of raising the ' Scotia,' or of her occupants —consisting, as we stated on Saturday, of a party of three men. The worst fears may now be entertained as to the fears of these unfortunates. The ' Kubv' also brings information of the loss by drowning of a boat's crew of four men. all young, and two of them leaving widows and children, in Patterson's Inie', near the Isuggetr. The boat in which this ill-fated party put to sea was discovered in the kelp, having evidently capsized.' Longfellow beautifully says, that "Sunday is the golden clasp which binds together the volume t'f the