THE WEATHER AND BAR.

West Coast Times, Issue 630, 1 October 1867, Page 4

THE WEATHER AND BAR.

The month commenced storinily, as a furious S.W. gale to which wo alluded in our last summary, blew home on tho ]st and 2nd ulh, but moderated on the following day, and so terminated a period of the worst weather that ever visited the coast in our recollection. Since then the weather has been charming, and characterised the month of Septembei' as the t finest of the year, as excepting a heavy, warm rain that came down on the night of the sth ult., and by molting a great deal of snow upon the lower hills produced a furious fresh in the river next day, not a shower fell during the month until within tho last day or two. Light, variable winds off the land, ranging from north round by west to south during the day, have prevailed 6ince the 4th ult., aud proved a most agreeable change to the furious gales of the preceding month. The port, however, continued inaccessible, except to the lightest draughts and steamers, until the 12th ult., as — lacking a south spit to form one side of a channel through the bar — the river spread out as it joiued the sea, creating a kind of delta that during the highest tides was not covered by a greater depth than eight feet. But tho making up of the South Spit, its extension northwards, and the entire closing of tho south channel produced a most, beneficial change, by confining the river to one outlet and defining a channel of reasonable limits through the bar, which was declare Ji workable on the 12th ult., when the spring tides of the fall moon flowed. On that day the work of thinning the fleet which had collected in the roadstead commenced in earnest, and proceeded right merrily until the last vessel was towed in on the 15th ult., when the wharf was lined by forty-one vessels, including four barques, a lirge brig, and several heavy brigantines. Such a rush of vessels inwards of course kept shipping agents and customhouse officials pretty well employed, as those craft fortunate enough to secure quay berths, lost no time in breaking bulk, and getting their cargo ashore. Hundreds of tons were landed daily, and considering the length of time ife was packed on board ship, and the risk it was subjected to during the heavy weather that the fleet encountered on more than one occasion we feel gratified in stating that merchandise is turning out excellently. Of course instances of damage were not wanting — produce of all kinds having suffered to a greater or loss extent, but taken on the whole, consignments come to hand in very fair order. The merchants and shipowners of this port have cause for congratulation in anothor respect, inasmuch as not a single casualty happened to any vessel of the fleet during its transfer from the roads to the river. The bar was certainly in fine trim, but at the same time no slight credit is due to the masters of the harbor steamers for the judgment and skill they displayed. The tugs were indeed admirably handled.

The ensuing week witnessed the arrival and departure of forty-one vessels, of which number twenty-seven cleared out to the great relief of the port, which was fearfully overcrowded. Since then the channel has continued in good working order, and, consequently, the business of the port has proceeded uninterruptedly; vessels as they arrive being at once towed in and convojed to sea with similar dispatch when clear of cargo.

SHIPPING DISASTERS.

A few unfortaaie mishap 3 occurred during the month. On the 3rd the tug Challenge towed out the schooner Dancing Wave, and returning to the river unfortunately grounded on the middle bank, but which now is a substantial Sdnth Spit. She fairly " piled up," and remainedlashore until the 6th, when she washed by the heavy freshet of that date, and ns steam had been raised in anticipation of the event, she paddled through the surf and anchored outside, returning to the river next tide without having suffered any material damage. The steamer Huntress also came to grief on the 4th ult. when attempting to cross the bar on her return from Greymouth with a cargo of coal. She was brought tip by the North Spit, but remained there for twenty-four hours only, as her cargo having been discharged. Meantime, she was hove up without difficulty, aud not one whit the worse for her misadventure. A more serious mishap befel the old boat on Friday last, necessitating an expensive re-launch, winch has been already contracted for. *. She was crossing the bar inwai'ds from the Buller — the tide being nearly half-ebb at the time, and had all but gained tho river, when she was caught on the port bow by the strong outward current, and driven ashore on the South Spit. Attempts were made to heave her off on tho next tide, but without avail, and the re-launching alternative was decided upon. She is likely to be afloat by the end of this week.