SHIPPINGS INTELLIGENCE.

New Zealand Herald, Volume V, Issue 1364, 31 March 1868, Page 2

SHIPPINGS INTELLIGENCE.

MARCH 30. Vteathzb.—Strong N.E. Wind; Bain ARRIVAL. Julia, schooner, Ooupland, from Waiheke, with 10,800 ft. junk timber. COLLISION BETWEEN THE SHAMROCK AND WATERLILY. On Sunday afternoon a oolliaion occurred between two of our coasting cutters, the Shamrock, belonging to Captain Casey, and the Waterlily. Both vessels appear to have left tho harbour at about the same time, and to have remained in company until the time of the mishap. The Shamrock, in charge of J. Stephens, waß bound for Mercury Bay, and the Waterlily, Allen, master, for Wangapoa. Nothing particular happened until the two vessels neared Katgitoto, when tho Waterlily ran into tho Shamrock, cutting her down to the water's edge. The bowsprit of the former vessel went right through the mainsail of the Shamrock, and also cut down the covering boardß and a portion of her bulwarks. Tho Waterlily has also received some little damage. The two vossels being in a crippled condition returned to port, and anchored in Mechanics' Bay. Fortunately the wind was blowing strong from the East, otherwise it would have been imposnible for the Shamrook to havo reached the harbour safely. As an inquiry is to be held before H. S. McKel'ar, Esq., Collector of Customs, to-day, at 11 o'clock it is unnecessary to give any further particulars. WRECK OF THE COMET. The Auckland cutter Comet, Clark, master, was wreckod near tho Puhoi on Friday morning last. It appears that blio loft the Puhoi with a cargo of shingles, palings, &c, on Friday morning for Auckland. During the time the anohors, boat, and deck cargo wore being secured, the vessel was gradually forging ahead, and before the master scarcely knew where he was, the vessel bumped heavily on a reef, which is situated in the mouth of the harbour between tho Hot Springs and Puhoi Heads. Seeing the danger he was in, the maßter of the vessel immediately backed her off, and at once shaped a course for tho nearest point where he could safely beach her, but it was soon apparent that she was taking in a considerable quantity of . water, and before tho beach could be reached the ! vessel filled, and turned over in about 12 fathoms of water. Fortunately, Clark had jußt time to let go the dingy, which waß being towed astern, and after being pitched out of the vessel, succeeded in saving himself by the dingy. Another man on board was also savoit by tho same means. Several of the settlers on shore witnessed the accident, and Mr. Geo. Ryan came off at once with his dingy, and took the unfortunate men ashoro from the boat on which they were holding, tho paddles having floated away. Clark and his male came up to town on Saturday. The Comet was the property of Mr. Antonio Martin, of Victoria-streot, and was not insured.

LAUNCH OF A NEW BTEAMER. Another of those fino steamers which our Auckland ship-builders rre capable of turning out was launched from ihe yards of Messrs. Duthie and Ross, Custom-house-street, at 10 o'clock on Saturday morning'. She has been constructed for the purpose of running in conjunction with the other steamers between Auckland and the Thames, and her unusually light draught of water will make her eminently suited for that trade. The launch took place amidst the cheprs of the largo number of persons who had assembled to witness tho launch, and was a great succeas. As the vessel slowly glided into the waters of the Waitemata she waß named by Miss Isabella Duthie, daughter of one of the builders, the " Duke of Edinburgh." The Duke of Edinburgh is ringed as a fore-and-aft schooner, —and of the following dimensions: —Length overall, 113 feet; depth of hold, 7 ft. 1 inch ; breadth of beam, 17 ft., and tonnage according to builders' measurement, 135 tons. She will be fitted with a handsome cabin equal to any other vessel on the coast. She is fitted with marine low pressure engines, of 35 horse-power nominal, with paddles, patent feathering floats, &c, which have been fixed by Mossrs. Vickery and Mosefield. When launched the Duke of Edinburgh drew only 20 inches of water forward and 3 ft. 3 inches aft, and it is presumed that when her trial trip comes off, on whioh occa ion Bhe will be suppliod with water, coals, and .everything requisite for sea-going purposes, her draught ot water will not oxceed 4 ft. 10 incheß, which will enable her to go up the Croek at Shortland. The launch being over, the owners and their friends adjourned to the stores recently occupied by Messrs. Harris and Laurie, in Custom House-street, where an excellent luncheon was provided. H.M.S.S. BEISK. By the Suez mail orders have been received for H.M, s.s. Brisk, which has recently returned to Sydney from Western Australia, to proceed home direct. The Blanche, one of the most recent corvettes, ia to leave England immediately for Australia, to relieve the Brisk.

THE SHLP IRON3IDES. The ship Ironsides, Captain A. Hedley, which left this port on the 20th Septomber, arrived at the Downs on the 14th January, after a fine weather passage of 117 days. Wo have received the following account of her passage from a gentleman who returned to England by this vessel: — 17th September, Tuesday.—Ship moved from off the Queen-street wharf to an anchorage under the North Head, (strong breeze from E.N.E.) to wait a change. 18th and 19th September.—Blowing in fierce gusts from East to S.E. wijh heavy storms of rain, the equinoxes being close at hand, just as well to be snug in harbour. 20th September —Daylight beautifully bright and clear; light air from S.E.; weighed and proceeded round the North Head, in charge of Mr. Burgess, Pilot; at noon fell calm. 21st to 23rd September.—Ship working slowly down the Gulf; calms and light airs; standing off and on between tho Barrier and Cape Colville. 24th September.—Clear of the Gulf on this and two following days ; ship stood away to the N.W., contending against a strong N. Easter; thick weather with ruin. 27th September.—Tacked ship, stood to the Southward, hoping to weather the East Cape. Bad beginning of a long voyage this! From the 28th -eptemborto 11th October had nothing but light winde, varying from N.E. to N. W., succeeded by Southward and S.S.E. winds with frequent snow storms, until wogotto long. 140 ° West, aud lat. 55.54, S., when wo sighted our first iceberg. 12th October. —Ship nearly ran down on immense iceberg, which was mistaken for a snow squall in the distance, until close aboard ; holm was put up ; Bhip just cleared in time —touch-and-go—good pilot. 13th October. —When daylight made found, ship surrounded by ice in all directions ; obliged to Bteer in and out to avoid bergs, which presented a most beautiful sight; weather fine and clear; cold and bracing; frequent snow squalls j wind still heavy in tho S.E., and seems to have prevailed for some time, as the beginning of October iB very early in the season for the ice to break up and be ao far North. During the next three days ship sailed straight Enst, tho ico extending as far as the eye could reach ; bergs of all sizos and of every shape, and vast quantities of field ice about, when it came on to blow hard from the S.B.W. tniok blinding snow squalls ; nights as dark as Erebus, making the navigation highly dangerous; the prudence of the captain on these occasions compelling him to heave-to for a few hours, until the light of the moon made a cleat road. The ship was amidst ice for sixteen days, from long. 140° W. to long 97° W., sailing in lat. 55 ° to 58 ° South, during which we passed no less than 4000 bergs ; fortunately for the most part we had fine clear weather, and were favoured with long dayß and a high moon. On the 28th October ship passed a number of whales, with a whaler in sight. Next day saw tho Island of Diego Hamirez, distance 8 miles ; Capo Home N.E. 38 days out. On the 24th November entered tho tropics, having for the last fortnisrht had nothing but light northerly winde, making from 50 to 100 miles a day. On the Bth Docerabor crossed the line in long. 27 ° 16' W., the trade wind having been steady at E. and N. 79 days out. 13th December. - — N.E. trade, came down in :i •heavy squall, with lightning and rain, and carried us to 28° 33 N., lat., on the 24th December, being in long. 42 ° West Frrnn Christmas Day to within 1000 miles of the Lizird had fine pleasant weather, with light variable winds. On the 11th January a

fresh breeze from. B.W. carried us up Channel; on the evening of the 12th, sighted the Eddystone—distant 10 miles ; midnight on 13th hove-to off Dungpness for Pilot. On the following morning passed through the Downß in a S.W. gale, and at noon, 14th January, anchored in Margate Roadß ; 117 days Brnce the Pilot left ub off Rangitoto. The voyage throughout was a fine weather voyage, little or no wind; quiet and good order reigned Bupreme on board the good Bhip Ironside?. The comfort and well-being of paßßengers and crew were well attended to by an able and Bkilfnl commander, and officers well up to their work. The ship w«'l always be a favorite wherever she goes. The Weatheb.—During yesterday strcng 12. and N.E. winds prevailed, accompanied with heavy rain. The Bteamers Tauranga and Enterprise for the Thames, and several coasting veßselß were detained from sailing.