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Southland Times, Issue 5003, 13 August 1884, Page 2

The German barqne Phonix left Wellington on the 29th June, and arrived on Monday evening. After the first day oat the barque was hovcto under lower topsails for nine days, during which time a heavy southerly gale was blowing. Three days afterwards she passed the Nuggets for the first time and came so close to the Bluff that Waipapapa light was in eight. But a strong S.W. gale drove her back again. The Phonix passed the Nuggets light five times in endeavors to get to the southward. Last Saturday fortnight Waipapapa lighthouse was again in eight,and the barque passed the schooner Dunedin close to, but a heavy SJS. gale, which increased, during the night, forced Captain Diewitz to make more sail than the vessel could Bifely carry in order to keep her off a lee shore. The' captain states that during all the passage they had auch weather as he never had experienced daring lojyears' s?a life, gale succeeding gile with a rapidity that made progress impossible. A large steam vessel, built to the order of the Canard Steamship Company, was launched recently from the shipbuilding yard of Messrs John Elder and Co., Fairfield, Govan. The vessel, which is intended for the Transatlantic trade, was named the Umbria as she left tbe ways. She measures 520 feet long, and is 57 feet broad and 40 feet deep. Her tonnage is 8000. She has been built on veiy fine lines, and is expected to attain a great rate of speed. For a vessel of her size she will have more powerful engines than any ocean-going steamer yet launched. The engines, which are to be supplied by the firm, will be of 12,500 indicated horse-power.