SHIPPING NEWS.

Otago Witness, Issue 2239, 28 January 1897, Page 42

SHIPPING NEWS.

COLONIAL AND FOREIGN. Arrivals. January 19.'— Obau, s.s., 410 tonf, Rolls, from Wesf.port.-~— Omapere, s.s., 352 tons, C. Fleming, from Greynioinh, via Oamaru and intermediate reports. January 20.— Herald, 5.5., 352 tons, Coulson, from Greymouth, via Milforrl Sound. Napier, s.j., 48 tons, Mathieson, from Fortrose. Mararoa, s.s., 1381 tons, Ohatrield, from Melbourne, via Hobart and Bluff Harbour. .Sunbeam, steam yacht, 620 tons, Lord Brassey commander, from the Wes% Coast Sounds. January 21. — Anglian, a. 8., 1354 ton*, Hood, from Syduey, via the East Coa»t. Te Anau, s.a., . 1028 tons, Newton, from Auckland, via the East Coast. Fazilka, s.s., 4152 tons, Wilson, from Calcutta (Decembsr-4), via Singapore and northern ports. January 23. — Manapouri, s.s., 1020 tons, Anderson f minSydney, via Wellington and Lyttelton. January 24.— Rotomahana, s.s., 865 tons. Gibl.e, from Sydney, via the north. lonic, R.M.S., 4753 tons, Kempson, R.N.R., rom London, via the north. .vapier, s.s., 48 tons, llathieson, from the south. Marian, schooner, 96 tons, Woodp, from New Caledonia. Invercargill, s.s., 136 tons, Sundstrom, from the south. ' !? January 25.— Alexa, barquentine, 4J5 tons, M'Gregor, from Mauritius. ' l Departures. January 19. — Invercargill, 5.8., 136 tonf, SundBtrom, for Invercargill. ' " January 20. — Napier, s.s., 48 ton?, Mathieson, for Invercargill. Mary A. Troop^barque, 1118 tons, Baker, for Lyttelton v • January 21. — Anglian, 5.5.,1354 tons, Hood, for Sydney, via the. Bast Coast. Mararoa, s.s., 1381 tons, Chatfield, for Sydney, via Cook Strait. Omapere, s-.5., 352 tons. .Fleming, for the West Coast. Herald, s.s., 356 tons, Coulson, for the West Coast, vift Oamaru. Margaret Galbraith, barque, 841 tops,. Collingwood, for'Fimaru. January 22.— Sunbeam, yacht, 530 ton*, Captain Lord Brassey, for the north. Te Anau, s.s., 1028 tons, Newton, for northern port?. January 23.— Westland, ship, 1126 tons, Kelly, for London. ' January 25.— Manapouri, s.s., 1020 tons, Anderson, for Melbourne, via the Bluff and Hobart. Tarawera, s s., 1269 tow, Richardson, for the West Coast Invercargill, 5.»., 136 tons, Sundqtrom, for Invercargill. THE DIRECT STEAMERS. The Matatua, from Port Chalmers (December 25), left ilonte Video on the evening of the 18th, her meat being in good condition. The Maori, from London (Decembar 23),.1aft Capetown for New Zealand, via Hobart, on the afternoon of the 19th inst. In all probability Captain Jaggard, of the New Zealand Shipping Company's new steamer Waimate, will take the Ruapehu to England. The Kuapehu will not carry any paa*engers on her coming homeward voyage. Auckland, January 21.— Sailed: Silver-stream, barque, for London with a cargo, principally wool and grain, valued at £35,000 ; Taupo, for Westport. Hobart, January 25. — The Knilroura, from London, via the Cape, arrived at 8 o'clock to-night. SHIPPING TELEGRAMS. Ltttklton, January 23 — Sailed : Ship Wellingloivior London, with 5058 bales of wool, 788 casks tallow, and 500 carcases meats. Arrived : Te Anau And Sunbeam; from Port' Chalmers. . . ARRIVAL OF.TKB FAZILKA. . ■Xhe Britith. India Steam Navigation. Company 1 a steamer Fazilka (under charter, to the Union Steam Ship Company), with' cargo from Calcutta and Singapore, via northern ports, arrived at Port Chalmers on the 21st inst. and steamed up to Ltunedin, tendered by the tug Plucky. She was -moored at the Victoria wharf to diicharge cargo The- Fazilka is a fine-looking screw steamer of 4152 tons register, built of steel in 1890 by Messrs Doxford and Sons, of Supderjand. She is schooner-rigged, and is fitted with, tripleexpansion engines, the diameter of the cylinders ' being respectively 28in, 46in, and 74in, with a length of stroke of slin. Shi* is under the command of Captain J. Wiltot. ICE IN THE SOUTHERN OCEAN. The " Pilot Chart of the North Atlantic Ocean " for November, 1596, contains an account of the icebergs in the Southern and Antarctic Oceans, and maps are given showing the chronological and geographical distribution of the ice. Judging by -what lias been written on tha subject, there appear to be years of few or no icebergs followed by years of a great accession of berga. Such a period of a remarkable frequency of bergs is that of 1891 to 1895, and it is in this period, or rather the period from ISSB to 1895. that the report deals. The icebergs are borne away from their region of formation in Antarctic currents, and after drifting into lower latitudes melt in warmer waters. The icebergs which leavethe Antarctic continentin 63 or 65 S. experience little change by the melting process until the sixtieth parallel is reached. It is said to be difficult to arrive at the avenge size of these bergs, as they are reported of all sizes up to 800 ft or 1000 ft high, and up to aeveral miles in length. The shape of the bergs are reported aa being of every concaivable form, but in the, Southern Ocean the bergs as a rale do nothave so frequently the towering spires that are characteristic of those seen in the Northern Ocean. With reference to the yearß of great ice frequency it is pointed out that in the year 1832 the Southern Ocean was so covered with icebergs that a number«f whalers bound round Cape Horn encountered 'them and put back to Valparaiso- to await a more favourable season, because it appeared too dangerous to undertake the voyage. Again, in 1854 there was a great accumulation of icebergs, and now during the past few years— notably 1892 and 1893— there has been another remarkable output froni the great berg factories of the Antarctic xegions. During the intervals between these periods very few bergs have been reported. What causes this occasional great- accession of bergs? Some authorities offer as a probable explanation the breaking off of the ice maigin by volcanic eruptions ; other*, that earthquakes cause numerous pieces of glacier to become detached and set adrift a« iceberg* :. and others, that an unusually hea^y annual snowfall is favourable to the increase of bergs. For the years 1892, 1893, 2894, and 1895 a large number of bergs were reported, especially in 1893 and 1895, while in the other years, notably in 18S8, only one or two reports of icebergs sighted are found. The conclusion from this is that during the years 18S8, 18S9, and 1890 there were comparatively few icebergs in. the Southern Ocean.- Dealinjr wi"->» t-he bergs sighted in the months of January, and February during the " ,i 31891 to 1895, it has bean found thatt.. >.-st •number wa3 reported in 1593 and 18y&, .md the smallest number in 1891. For the southern Winter months, June, July, and August, the greatest number of icebergs occur in 1892. This season is remarkable for the east and west; limits of ice. Bergs were very frequent to the east and north of the Falkland Islands. They were also reported as far north as 180 \V., 42 N., near which 78 bergs were reported. The "Pilot Ch»rt" expresses the hope that tho renewed interest in Antarctic explorations now manifest in Europe •will bear good results, and that the bold explorers sent out will solve the question of the origin and nature of these gigantic ice masses THE TARAWERA'S EXCURSION. The s.s. Tarawera returned at 7 a.m. on Sunday from her first excursion trip of the season to the Weit C'.aßt bounds, and was berthed alongside theßowep. Pier., The- Tarawera left the George street pier. Port Chalmers, at 5 p.m. on the 14th Inst., amidst great cheering, skyrockets, and the firing of gmiß. hbe. arrived, at the Bluff at 5 o'clock next morning, and after embarking excursionists left again for Preservation Inlet, arriving there at 3 p in. same day. She then proceeded' to the head of Long Sound and returned to Cuttle Cove, remaining there until the following day, experiencing most beautiful weather. Picnicking and fishing were indulged in by the passengers. Weighed anchor at daylight on the 17th and phaped for Dusky Sound, arriving at 7.25 a.m. Proceeded to the head of the sound, and turned

round at Supper Cove. Passed through Acheron I Ptksiage and anchored at the bead of Wet Jacket Arm at noon, fine weather continuing. At 4 a.m. on the 18th steamed for Breaksea Sound, arriving at 8 a.m. Proceeded up Hall's Arm, turning at Deep Cove ; thence visited Thompson Sound, arriving at 10.30 a.m. At this point a heavy gale, with blinding rain and thick weather, was encountered, and it was then decided to make for Kradehaw Sound for shelter, anchoring there at noon in a picturesque spat, which was christened Kdith Cove, and the stream running into it Wilson's Creek. At 4 a.m. on the 19th proceeded through Thompson Sound, intending to go to sea, but owing to the heavy gale still continuing, witb fozgy weather, it was decided to return to an anchorage, this time proceeding up Gaer Sound and anchoring there at 7 30 a m., the passengers being loud in their praises of this beautiful sound. In this sound the regatta wait held, the several events being well contested, with the following results :—: — Sailors y. Firemen. Distance two miles.— ' Won by Firemen J. Bonner, John Bonner, C. . Anderson, J. Bunt, T. Shaw (cox). i Passengers' Race One mile-— R. C. Rox- ' burgh, M. Reeves, C. G. Freeman, G. Ileeves, Purser A. Mm-W-y (cox), 1. Cooks v. Stewards.— Won by Stewards J. \ Hutchison, A. Hoard, IT Bass, T. Martin, J. Kummell (cox). Ladies' Race.— Miss Russell, Miss" M. Cotter^, Miss G. Russell, Miss W.. Cotter,- Officer A. H., Fiah (cox), 1 ; Mrs C. Edmonds, Miss P. Tredwin, Miss J. Stupart, Miss Cotter, Purser A. Murley (cox), 2. i Officers v. Passengers.— Won by Officers ! H. J. William*, S. James, S. Holt, A. Murley, A. j H. Fish (cox). Consolation Race— Won by Sailors J. H. Tonkin, G. Rowan, J. L. David, J. Burns, D. Kay (cox). - •' Tie Ladies' Race furnished an exciting finish, and "was won by a crewr of Auckland ladies. The regatta ball and supper was a pronounced success, the promenade deck, which was curtained in anil lit with electric light, being beautifully decorated with. &*z<t, ferns, &c. The saloon was also artistically decorated. On the 21st, cleared Thompson Sound at 6.30 a.m. arriving at the j anchorage in Geoige Sound at 10 a.m., wiiere the night was spent, and the usual display of fireworks were seen to great advantage. At 4 a.m. ou the 22nd, hove up anchor and mad© for Milford Sound, arriving there at 8 a.m. This sound was viewed under most favourable conditions. During the day the passengers paid visits to Art&ur River, L*ke Ada. and Bowen Falls. ! '1 he steamer left Milford Sound at 5.30 p.m. on the 22nd, and reached the Bluff at 11.30 p.m. on the I 23rd,. leaving again at 6.20 p.m. A party of gentlemen, consisting of Messrs H. R. Walker, H. I Harper, W. Fairbanks, Dr Frielanders, and J valet proceeded overland to Lake Te Anau. At ' the various sounds picnic, fishing, sketching, and ' other parties were organised. Concerts and dances were held alternately each evening. Mr JeEse Timson directed the musical entertainments with entir« satisfaction. Mr M'Qaeen, hairdresser, attended the trips in his business capacity, and furnished wigs, &c, for the tableaux entertainments. -! The Union Steam Ship Company's s.s. Mararoa, Captain Chatfield, from Melbourne, via Hobart and Bluff Harbour, arrived at the tongue wharf at 5.30 a.m. on the 20th. She left rhe company's wharf at Melbourne at 0.15 p.m. of the 13th inst. The flags at the harbourmaster's office and of the ve«iels at the wharves were half-mas' ed on tha 20th as a mark of respect to the late Captain Richard Driver, the first pilot at Otago Heads. The Huddart-Parker Company's s.s. Anglian, from Sydney, via the East Coast ports.-arrived at the cross whirf at 6.30 a.Tn. on Thursday. She left Sydney at 3.15 p.m. of the 9th inst „ and encountered a succession of N."B. gales, with heavy seas and thick rainy weather until she rounded the North Cape ; thenCe it moderated, and she . reached Auckland at 8 40 p.m. on the 15th inst. ' Left again at 0.30 p.m. of the 16th" inst., called at Gisborno, Napier, Wellington, and Lyttalton ; left the latter port at 10 a.m. of the 20th inst., and arrived as above. She left again yesterday eveningrfor Sydney, via the East Coast. v The's.B. Mararoa left' the tongue wharf on Thursday evening for Sydney, via Cook strait. The barque Margaret G-lbraith was towed clear of the heads on Thursday morning and sailed ', for Timaru, at which port she loads for* London. Boat and fira drill was very smartly carried out on board the Te An an ou Friday morning. She left the tongue whaTf in the afternoon for Auckland, via the Eatt Coast ports. We understand that tne barque Kirkdale, now in Wellington, and which has also cargo for Du-n-o.lin, has been fixed to load here for a Home port. The barque Sharpshooter, which left Newcastle on September 19. arrived at San Francisco on December fi. She reported being boarded by a heavy sea duriug a severe gale, which swept her decks clean, smashed the gig, and carried away the figurehead. The Shaw, SaviU, and Albion Company's ship - Westland, which completed her loading on Thursday afternoon for London, has on board 6 Mil bale 3 wool, 12 do rabbi tskins, and 2 do sheepskins. The Shaw, Savill, and Albion Company's ship Westland left the export pier at 8 a.m. on Saturday, being towed clear of the heads by the tug Plucky, and sailed for London with the following cargo :—6364: — 6364 bales wool, 12 do rabbitskins, and 2 da sheepskins. The ship Canterbury has done remarkably well ™i h the riscbargo of her cargo at the Victoria > wharf, and has landed it in splendid order. j The shipments of sugar from Port Louis, Mauritius, for New Zealand during the year 189*5 was 2057 tons, itfhile during the years 1895 and 1894 not a single pound waa sent from Port Louis ] to this colony. We are glad to see a resumption i of trade between this and the little island in the Indian Ocean. j Thets.a. Man apouri, from Sydney, via Welling- I ton and Lyttelton, arrived alongside the- Bowen ! pier at 3.30 p.m. on Saturday. She left the company 1 ! wharf, Sydney, at 3 p ni- on the 16th. Thß,,«.s. Rotomahana, from Sydney, via northern ports, arrived^ alongside the wharf at 9 a.m. ou Sunday. She left Sydney at 6 p.m. on the 13fh inst. The Shaw, Savill, and Albion Company's R.M.S. lonic, from London, via the north, arrived on Sunday, and was berthed alongside the George street pier at to take in dairy produce and other cargo for London. The lonic is still under the command of Captain Ktmp'-on, R.N.R. Durintc her passage out one of her saloon passensengers, Mr A. Twentyman, died on December 16, and was buried the same day She also passed 24 icebergs, the largest about 150 ft high, between lat. 44.2 S., long. 42 28 E., and UK 4tt 24 S , long. SBE. Twenty-two vessels, With a total of 14,485 tons, have come and gene from the Dunedin wharves , during the past week. Of lhes,e. 10 vessels, with 5942 tons.* were arrivals ; and 12 vessels, repre- ; senting 8543 tons, departures. ! ! The work of discharging the greater part of the cargo brought out from London by the N.Z.S. Company's splendid .steamship Waimate on her maiden trip deserves more than a passing notice. | It is admitted by experts to be a record and speaks volumes for all concerned. Mr J. Mill's I excellent arrangements for putting the cargo out left nothing to be desired, while the railway authorities were equally prompt in receiving it from the ship's side and forwarding it promptly to Dunedin. She was all clear of cargo for this port by 11 p.m. on Monday, having in a little over six days and a-half put out 6000 tons and taken in 500 tons. This, certainly, is a record. The s.s. Tarawera, on her way to the Sounds, steamed past Port Chalmers at Bp.m. on Monday. She was loudly cheered as she passed, and in response fired % salute,. The s.s. Manapouri left the tongue wharf . on Monday evening with passengers and cargo for Melbourne, via the Bluff and Hobart. The s.s. Rotomahana landed cargo at the croBS wharf" onr- Monday. She left Port Chalmers on Tuesday afternoon for Sydney, via the East Coast. The barque Collessie, now on uer way nere from New York, brings amongst other cargo no less than 28,900 cases kerosene. All the Union Company's vessels at the wharves were gaily dressed on Monday in honour of the departure of the s.s. Tarawera for the West Coast Sounds-

The s.s. Napier landed 220 cages of cheese at the George street pier on Monuay forenoon. The s.s. Ohau was floated out of the graving dock on Monday morning, and took on board a quantity of transhipments ex Waimate for the north. The R.M.S. lonic commenced on Monday morning to take in bales of wooland dairy produce. A large barque was reported from the Nugget?, bound north, at 4 a.m. on Monday. Illustrating the deadly effects of the yellow fever plague at Santos, Captain Jenkins, of the ship CrowD of Scotland, at Philadelphia, says there are the remains of 60ti vessels at Santos which were abandoned there two yearn ago and deserted by their crew?, most of whom died ashore during the fever plauue. The barque County Antrim, from Maryport, England, with a cargo of steel rails for Brisbane, went ashore on the 11th inst. about four miles west of tTte Gippsland Lakes. When near the Kent group the vessel encountered terrific weather, which shifted her cargo, and the vessel at once commenced to leak to such an alarming extent thnt the master decided to run her ashoio. The crew, with the_ exception of two men left on board, landed in the ship's boats. The mate injured his leg while tryiug to plug a leak with sail*.