PORT OF BLUFF HARBOR.

Southland Times, Issue 1022, 16 September 1868, Page 2

PORT OF BLUFF HARBOR.

ABBIVBD. Sept. 12 — Maria, ship, 800 tons, Duncan, from Howland's Island. Cochran, Granger and Blackirood, agents. • Sept. 13 — James Paxton, 60 tons, Greig, from j Eiverton. Sept. 13— -Agnes, 19 tons, M'Ciure, from Stewart's Island, with fish. Sept. 14— Mary Ann, 134 tons, Hamilton, from Newcastle. James Waddel, agent. XHPOBTS. Per Maria, fron? Howland's Island, 1000 tons guano. Per Jameß Paxton, from Riverton, 18 bags malt, R. Buchanan ; 58 bags oats, Mitchell and Co j 3 pkgs, J. P. Taylor. Per Mary Ann, from Newcastle, N.S.W., 190 tons coals, 160 bags maize, order. PASSENGEB LIST. Per Mary Ann, from Newcastle — Cabin : Cap&Budd. The brigantine Mary Ann, left Newcastle on the 3rd instant., and experienced throughout the passage a succession of westerly and southwesterly gales. On the 11th instant, when blowing a temffic gale, a very heavy sea broke on board, carrying away a large portion of the bulworks, and staving in the long boat ; the vessel was immediately hove-to, but laboring very much, and shipping large quantities of water, until the gale moderated. Sighted the West Cape on the morning of the 13th, and arrived at Bluff Harbor wharf at 9 a.m. on 14th. The Maria, Capt. Duncan, arrived at the Heads at 9.30 a.m. on the 12th, from Howland's Island, with 1000 tons guano. Captain Duncan reports that the Maria left the island on the 2nd August, experiencing very bad weather on the Sew Zealand coast, and during a gale, encountered off Cook's Straits, the maintcpsail yard was carried away. Howland's Island is situated in lat. Odeg. 45min. N., long. I76deg. 43min. W., being about 16 feet above the sea, and three miles long, by half a mile broad. There is an anchor laid down in 145 fathoms for the ships loading to moor at, but even in this deep water it is so close to the island that if the ship swings in, she is sure to strike on the reef. The Maria had a very narrow escape from being wrecked in this way. During a calm she struck on a reef, and seemed likely to become a total wreck. Al] the provisions wero got on shore. The crew were then employed in trying to get the ship off, which fortunately they succeeded in doing, the only damages sustained by the vessel were the rudder being unshipped, and her false keel carried away. In calm weather it was found impossible to keep the ship off the reef. Captain Duncan therefore determined to proceed on his voyage, although he had not a full cargo.