SHIPPING SUMMARY.

West Coast Times, Issue 277, 13 August 1866, Page 2 (Supplement)

SHIPPING SUMMARY.

Shipping business during the pa*fc month has been unusually slack, the arrivals and de« parturts to and from the port having been far below the average. From foreign ports, only nine vessels have called here, including steamers ; whilst departures under the same head are still more meagre, as five vessels only, of all classes, have been despatched. The coastwise trade has also fallen off considerably. In fact, the month has been a dull one throughout, and but little has occurred in connection with shipping worthy of being especially noted. Those vessels which did discharge cargos on the wharf turned them out in excellent condition, not a single cade of damage having come under our notice. We have, however, good reason in believing that the next month will be far more busy, as may be inferred from a glance at the " expected arrivals" in our shipping column. Amongst them is inoluded Borne well-known traders to the port, which for some time past have been strangers here. During the early part of tie month we were favored with very fine weather, considering the season. Frosty nights and bright sunny days prevailed for nearly *a fortnight, which, although cheering in the extreme, reduced the < river to such a degree that the fresh was not j ,Bufficient to keep the bar clear, and there was i in consequence a very bad entrance for some j dayfi. It was, in fact, blocked up with sand- j banks, between which the i£ver ran in three channels, one only being at all navigable. Succeeding rains, however, cleared away the silt, and now there is a wide deep channel straight out to sea, navigable for vessels drawing ten and twelve feet water. The month's casualties have not been heavy, although we have to record a, few mishaps, which in two instances only resulted seriously. On the 16th ult., the Lioness, p.s., when returning from the roadstead, took the ground on the extreme point of the (then) middle bank, and at low -water was high and dry. She retained ; her. position for a few hours only, as prompt measures being adopted to release her, she was hove off into deep water on the next tide, without having sustained the slightest damage. A mishap also occurred to the s.s. Star of the Evening, which left the wharf, bound to Nelson, on the 6th in/3t. In the " narrows" between the spits, she unfortunately met the Challenge, p.s., with a tow behind her, coming in from the roadstead, and in endeavoring to avoid a foul, she sheered too much to starboard and took the ground on the extreme point of the North Spit, and at low water was high and dry. fortunately, there was little sea running, and she laid^end on to it, and wharps having been run out and the services of the Lioness engaged, she was hove off and dragged into the river on the morning's . tide of the Bth. She thus remained in her awkward position thirty-six hours only, and sustained not the slightest damage. Another and more serious disaster occurred, we are j sorry to say, no later than yesterday, to the j Bpnnie'Lass, a smart little schoonor inward bound from Lyttelton with a cargo of produce She was in tow of the Challenge at the time, and coming in against a heavy fresh, which was running between the spits with the velocity of a tide rip. In another place will be found the details of this mishap, so we shall merely say that the Bonnie Lass, having her canvas set, overran the tow line, was caugkt ou her port bow by the current, hove on the South Spit, and at low-water was high and dry. Her cargo was discharged during the day, and it is to be, hoped that she will be rescued on this day's tide ; but we much fear that she will have to be transported overland into the lagoon. Her fate, however, depends in a great degree upon the weather ; as a very heavy fresh would be liable to sweep her into the surf, whilst a westerly gale, by sending home a heavy sea, might possibly break her up. We trust, however, that better fortune is in store for her, and that we shall see her safe moored at the wharf in a tide or two. s In our last Summary we mentioned the stranding of the Bruce, p.s.s at Okarita, and that her position was somewhat dangerous. She has since then made an overland passage, and should have been comfortably re-launched into the river ; but through, some bungling on the part of the overseer of the work, the ways were mislaid, and the Bruce hitched just at the time she should have glided smoothly off them, and all attempts to leave her further ahead proved abortive. There she remained half in and half out %f the water 1 , and preparations were made to lift her again. But in the meantime a heavy eea rolled in, washed her off the, ways and deposited her higher *up the bank in the required position. She was subsequently removed after a fashion and now ies on a patch of sand opposite the township where she is undergoing necessary repairs, several rivets and plates having started. We hope soon to hear of her departure for Dunedin. Like that of Hokitika, the Okarita and Grey bars have both been next to impassable during the month, and advices which we received from the latter place yesterday inform us that even now the port is nearly dosed through, the state of its entrance. This, however, will not continue long, and if the present rains last for another twenty-four hours it will have the effect of again clearing the channel and giving the river Grey that excellent entrance for which it is usually noted. Great improvements are being effected in the port of Hokitika, the Government having at last bestired itself in the matter. To complete the unfinished portion of the wharf ten- \ ders have been called for and accepted, and the work of planting it over is being vigorously proceeded with, and will in a short time be finished. A protective work is -also being constructed from the end of the wharf to a point opposite Beach street, ■which will preserve the bank from further encroachments by the river and thus save some valuable buildings which are i already partially undermined. A transit shed ! has also been erected on the wharf, and a j space enclosed in front of it where the harbor Bteamers are for the future to land their pas•engers and cargos. Su - 1 ' a provision was much needed, as the civi 1 of idlers which line the wharf when either of these boats run in from the roadstead proved a great hindrance, and much, interfered with the work necessary to be done. It is also purposed to construct a tramway along the wharf, which will connect the shipping with the transit shed. We, however, hope soon to see another shed erected lower down, as the one already provided is much too small for the purpose, and promises to delay rather than facilitate the landing of carges. In connection with shipping casualties, we omitted to mention that no tidings whatever have been heard of the missing ketch Caroline, and sßte is, therefore, given up for lost. Another vessel is also missing, viz., the Maria, a smart schooner, which left Oamaru laden with produce, many weeks ago, for^his port. No tidings have, however, been received of her, and there is too much reason to suppose she has foundered at sea. The vacancy caused by the withdrawal of the Bruce from- the Okarita trade, _has been filled by the Lyttelton— a stout little paddlewheel steamer of some thirty-horse power. She arrived from. Nelion in the middle of the

month, and has already made two prosperous trips southwards, and is now absent ou her third. The ketch Plying Squirrel arrived iv port yesterday, from Motueka, Blind Bay, which which port she left on the 6th instant, with moderate SW. weather. She was towed in by the Lioness, and brings a cargo of potatos. This little vos«el has experienced rough usage since she left Dunedin, on June 7th, with a full cargo for Okarita. She was buffetted about until the 16th ere she arrived iv that roadstead, and then was driven to t>ea again by heavy -weather, which kept her how-to for seventeen days. During the gale she lost all her canvas and carried away the main boom, which renderedit imperative that shelter should be sought in some port where the damages could be repaired ; and as she was severely strained, it was determined to run for Nelson. There the cargo was landed, and found to be so much damaged that it was Bold by auction. The ketch was placed on the cradle, overhauled, and repaired. When ready for sea she was sent aoross to Motueka for a cargo. Her subsequent career is as above. The s.b. Thane left Wanganui, N. I. on the 3rd mat., with light airs from the westward and fine weather. For two days there was no change, but on the 4th, when off Cape FareI well, the breeze freshened and in a few hours ! increased to such a gale that she was compelled to run into Blind Bay for shelter where she came to an anchor under Totaranui at 3.30 p.m. The next day the aame weather prevailed, which made the steamer ride so uneasily that she snapped her chair.. The best bower was at once let go and to it she rode all night, and the weather clearing up next morning she reoovered her lost anchor, and put to sea at 10.30 a.m. Farewell Spit was rounded at 1.45 p.m. in the teeth of a stiff westerly breeze, which, by the time she was up the Cape, i had so much increased that it was deemed advisable to bring up under Farewell, the s.s. Wallaby keeping her company. On the 7th at 9.45 a.m., she weighed, withlight S.W. weather, and at 5 p.m. on the Bth anchored off Grey River. The next morning, she attempted to run inside, and got as far as the outer break, when the danger signal was hoisted on shore, She at once put about, and | Btood to sea again. For several hours she dodged about under easy steam, hoping for a i change, which, not occurring, she ran down to I Hokitika, arriving abreast of the town at 1 p.m. The next morning, she stood in, and' having taken a pilot, crossed the bar against an exceedingly heavy fresh, and reached the wharf safely. The Thane brings 49 head of ; cattle, 113 sheep, 2 calves, 17 pigs, and a few tons of merchandise. She landed her stock yesterday in fair condition. Telegraphic communication was received from Greymouth yesterday, to the effect that the bar was in a bad state There were two channels — one running north, the other south, both very bad for towing. On Friday morning the scene from the North Spit was extremely exciting, and quite reminded us of bygone times, when sensation seekers vißited the flagstaff every day on principle, and seldom failed in obtaining j matter for comment on their return. Owing to the late rains the river was considerably j swollen, and even at high-water rushed with astounding violence and rapidity through the narrow gateway between the heads. In fact there was the old hill to climb for vessels entering, which months ago put the Bruce upon her mettle, and very nearly numbered the poor old Ballarat amongst the things of the past. There was, however, not much sea on, and this determined both the Challenge and the Lioness to run outside for a couple of vessels visible in the offing, one being the Bonnie Lass, from Lyttelton, and the other the ketch Flying Squirrel, from the southward/ The , Challenge first secured her tow, by fastening to the first-named vessel, at once steamed for the entrance, and passed the outer break safely, j but on reaching the narrows found the rip so j terrific that she could hardly make the i slightest headway against it. In the mean- I time, to help the tug, the schooner set her canvas, and there being a great scope j of towline out, the former felt the full force of the " freshet " some time before the latter, which as there was a fresh W.N.W. j breeze blowing, was driven close up to the Challenge ere that vessel had cleared the rip. Being thus caught in her turn by the outflow j on the port bow, she (before the head sails j could be got in) was sheared over towards ; the South Spit, where she took the ground, and still, we are sorry to say, remains hard and fast, although, the Challenge did all that a boat could do to release her. The Bonnie Lass is ashore on the extremity of the South Spit, her position being anything but a good one, and we much fear the whole of her cargo will have to be landed ere her removal is effected. Some, however, are of opinion that she will come off next tide, we do not share it with them. After delaying in a most unaccountable manner an hour after high water, the b.b. Star of the Evening left the wharf and was piloted safely across the bar b^ Captain Turnbull, who Bounded on his way out and no where found less than three fathoms water. This decided him upon returning in with the s.s. Thane, which for several hours hsd been boxhauling about, evidently unwilling to risk entering without ,a pilot. As soon therefore as the two steamers met, the Harbor Master was transferred from the one to the other and immediately turned her head to the bar, well knowing that every moment was precious ; for the tide was falling rapidly, and the "rip" between the Spits increasing in rapidity. But, in the meantime, the Lioness having secured her prize was now close in, and this compelled the Thane to wait until she had entered. We never before saw the Lioness so put to it as i she was when the full force of the river current met her, and, although, full steam was used, it was for some time extremely pro- ; blematical whether she would not be comi pelted to slue round and make for the road1 stead again. Inch by inch, however, she surmounted the difficulty, and, as she occasionally shot ahead, very nearly dragged the unfortunate little hooker behind her under I water. In feet, once or twice a wall of water absolutely towered above the bows of the ketch, and the Lioness — which, by this time, had gained stiller water inside — was compelled to ease her steam, taking the Squirrell gently through it ; otherwise we verily believe she would have gone right under, but skilfully managed both vessels reached the wharf safely. As soon as those on board the Thane saw the channel clear, her engines were turned ahead full speed, and the bar rapidly neared. The approach of this vessel was matched with much interest by the crowd on shore, especially as the signal-man" doused" the red flag and ball and warned her by signal not to attempt the channel, the tide being bo far gone. No heed, however, was paid to it, and onwards came the Thane under full head of steam, passed the outer break, and reached the "pinch" without any apparent difficulty. Here she hung for a moment,' and it was evidently touch and go with her, when, at the very nick of time, a ourling green sea rolled up behind, struck her full upon the stern, and sent her several fathoms ahead through the worst part of the passage, and although the old boat once discovered an evident inclination to turn round and " have a look at it," she w^as happily kept end on, and entered the river in famous style. Whilst crossing the bar, the lead was kept going on board the Thane, and although it was nearly two hours after high water, nothing ]esi than two fathom* and a h*lfwM found.

ARRIVALS.— COASTWISE. i July. j 17 Keera, a,s., from Duuediu i 18 Dispatob, brigantine, from Dunedin Dart, cutter, from Greymouth , 19 Tiger, schooner, from Invercargiil I Emma Jane, schooner, from Q-roy- j mouth j 20 Tambo, sohooner, from Greymouth ' 21 Lord Ashley, s.s., from Wellington and Nelson 22 Elfin, ketch, from Greyniouth 23 John Mitchell, ketch, from Groymouth 24 Kennedy, s.s. from Nelson Thane, s.s., from Nelson . 26 Airedale, b.s., from Dunedin Lyttelton, p.s., from Nelson Persevere, p.s., from Greymouth 28 South Australian, s.s., from Nelson Tararua, •.»., from Nelson Lyttelton, p.s., from Okarita Lioness, p.s^ from Greymouth 29 Spray, schooner, from Lyttelton , Oymraes, ketch, from Greymouth August. 1 Kennedy, s.s., from Nelaon Auckland, s.s., from Nelson 2 William Miskin, a.s., from Dunedin 1 Falcon, schooner, from Dunedin John Mitchell, ketch, from Greymouth Tambo, schooner, from Greymouth Challenge, p.s., from G-reyinouth Emma Jane, schooner, from Okarita 3 Lyttelton, p.s., from Okarita j Egmont, s.s., from Nelson ! 4 Prince Consort, schooner, from Lyttelton Jane Elkin, ketch, from Greymouth Lapwing, cutter, from Dunedin William Miskin, s.s., from Greymouth Tarra, p.s., from Greymouth Star of the Evening, p.s., from Dunedin 7 Bangitoto, 8.8., from Nelson lona. schooner, from Jackson's Bay 8 Sea Shell, cutter, from Lyttelton 10 Flying Squirrel, ketch, from Dunedin Thane, s.s., from Wanganui Bonnie Lass, schooner (ashore) from Lyttelton , * SAILED.— COASTWISE. July. 16 Kennedy, s.s, for Nelson 18 Moyne, schooner, from Dunedin 19 Keera, s.s., for Dunedin via Nelson 20 Dispatch, brigantine, for Dunedin 23 Lord Ashley, s.s., for Dunedin 24> Kennedy, b.s., for Nelson Auckland, s.s., for Nelson Cymraes, ketch, for Greymouth 25 Tambo, schooner, for Greymouth Thane, s.s., for Nelson 26 Otago, s.s., for Nelson Lyttelton, p.s., for Okarita Tiger, schooner, for Bruce Bay - John Mitchell, ketch, for Greymouth Yarra, p.s., for Greymouth 29 Airedale, s.s., for Wellington via Nelaon Lioness, p.g., for Greymouth Emma Jane, schooner, for Okarita 31 Lyttelton, p.s., for Okarita - August 1 Challenge, p.s., for Grreymouth x 2 Kennedy, p.s., for Nelson Spray, schooner, for Lyttelton 3 Elfin, ketch, for Dunedin William Miskin, s.s., for Greymouth 4 William Miskin, s.s., for Dunedin 6 Egmont, s.s., for Bluff and Dunedin 7 ' Lyttelton, p.s., for Okarita > Gothenburg, p,s., for Nelson Yarra, p.s., for G-reymouth 9 Kangatira, s.s,, for Gray and Buller Bangitoto, s.s., for Nelson Albion, s.s., for Nelson 10 Lapwing, cutter, for Manukau Star of the Evening, s.s., for Nelaon. ARRIVED.— FOEEIGN. July. 19 Crest of the Wave, schooner, from Melbourne 24 Auckland, s.s., from Melbourne 25 Otago, s.s., from Sydney August 4 Gothenburg, s.s., from Melbourne 7 Rangitoto, s.s,, from Melbourne Albion, s.s., from Melbourne Clarendon, brig, from Melbourne John and" Jane, schooner, from Melbourne. SAILED.— FOREIGN.July. 18 Lizzie Coleson, brigantine, lor Sydney 20 Crest of the Wave, for Melbourne via West Wanganui 29 South Australian, b.s., for Melbourne Tararua, b.s., for Melbourne August. 3 Auckland, s.s., for Sydney.