INTER-PROVINCIAL SHIPPING. THE ENGLISH YACHT LIVONIA

West Coast Times, Issue 1973, 26 January 1872, Page 2

INTER-PROVINCIAL SHIPPING.

THE ENGLISH YACHT LIVONIA

tt'Eß ELECTRIC TBLKQII&Ffi.I AKRIVED. Greymouth 25th, 10.30 a.m., Charles Edward, from Ilokitika. SAILED. January 25. — Nil. The schooners Bonnie Lass from Nelson, and the Kaiuma from Lyttelton, were towed iuto the river by the p s Lioness yesterday morning. The p.s. Charles El ward sailed on her return trip to Nelson, vi.i Coast ports, yesterday. The s.s. Rangiloro had not arrived up to a late hour last ni»lit, but it is probable she will put in an appearance this morning. A schooner sapposed to be the Lady Don from Lyttelton, arrived in the roadstead yesterday, and will (circumstances permitting) be towed into the river this morning by the p.s. Lioness. The s.s. Kennedy was expected to leave Nelson last night for the West Coast. Her arrival here may be expected on Sunday, and her departure is announced to take place on Monday night. The subject of the prevention of collisions at sea has long been a source of considerable speculation to sea-faring men, and an idea that has just been mooted by Mr S. W. Viney of Melbourne, is well worthy of careful con sideration by the authorities of the Board of Trade. By the Merchant Shipping Act vessels are compelled to carry red and green side lights placed respectively to port and starboard. By the same act the rule of the road laid down is that two vessels meeting should port their helms, but a discretionary power is allowed the officer in charge of the doc-k. It is in the use of this discretionary power that in nine times out of ten causes a co'lision at night-time. From various conflicting circumstances, such as the state of the atmosphere, the distance between the two side-lights, or other similar cause, an officer may consider it most prudent to depart from the rule and porting bis' helm, a collision is rendered inevitable. If some signal could be given to show which waj the vessel's helm is placed, the other side would know what was being done, and could act accordingly. This is the course proposed by Mr Viney. He suggests that each of the side lights should be fitted with two colored Blides. red and green. Upon two vessels meeting at night, and the officer in charge of one, deciding on porting his helm, by shifting the green slide of his starboard light he would show two red lights, and the other ship would then know he was going to port; or by showing two green lights, he would then know he was going to starboard. As soon as both vessels were clear the proper lights could be again shown. The plan is a very simple one. and at the same time efficacious, and well worthy of consideration and trial. — Melbourne Leader. Mr Alfred Griggs, late chief officer of the Bchooner Lone Star, which it will be remembered rail ashore at Wreck Reef on tbe 10th September, is a passenger by the schooner Annie, from Bird Island. He reports that ho was 74 days on the wreck, together with the cook and another man, and that she lies in such a position as to be quite safe from damage by the waves. At low water she is high and dry. It will be impossible to get her off, but all that is moreable will be saved. When the Annie ; left Bird Island the brig Praric was about going off to Wreck Reef to bring away all she could to the island whence the Annie will take it to Hobart Town on her next trip the wreck having been purchassd by Mr Wm. Fisher of that port. Mr Griggs states that there was plenty of provisions on board, and that they caught quantities of crayfish and turtle. — Launeeston Examiner, Dec. 19. S^The Caledonienne, which arrived at Melbourne on the 27th ult. a miniature war vessel flying the French ensign, and althongh no Btranger to Australian waters, this is her first visit to Hobson's Bay. She is fore end aft schooner rigged, and close upon 200 tons register, and, without exception is one of the sweetest models of a vessel of her description which have ever been seen in these waters. Cilice being on the Australian station, Bhe ha 9 been employed chiefly as a despatch boat, and in this capacity she has proved herself a very aerviceable vessel. She has quite a yacht-like appearance, and the order in which she is kept betokens rigid discipline on board. The Caledonienne is commanded by Captain Pouzolz, who has 'under him Lieutenant Haupt and .a crew of 80 men. She left Noumea on December 12, and'tei-

perienced moderate variable winds aDd fine weather to Cape Howe, whqre she had to contend f against adverse westerly weather. The. Caledbtaieune is likely '1$ remain here for'aevetaf days proviou9 to'her returning ttf. New Caledonia. —Argut. lir

The yacht Livonia was beaten on October Is, bjc-.the, Columbia, over-the- New- York Cltib'coufae* The Livonia was again beaten on October 18 by the* Columbia, idk race of twenty miles' to 'the" windwardof[the" Sandyhook light-ship and back. 1 The race only occupied three hours, and the yachts had a fine wind each way. The Columbia won by five.minutes or ten with time allowance. On October 19, the Livonia won the race with the "Columbia over the Club course. The fourth match for the America's cup, was sailed' on October 21, twenty miles to windward of Sandyhook and back. There was a strong wind. The Sappho, which was selected by the club, beat the Livonia by thirty minutes, or 5 £ miles. The fifth race was run on October 23, over the New York Club course. The club again selected the Sappho as their representative. The day was fine. The Livonia led from the start for about six miles, when, in a freßh westerly breeze the Sappho passed the Livonia, and was"~leading~ her two' minutes on" the completion- of- ten miles. In a dead run of eight miles, with a lighter wind, the Sappho gained an additional ten minutes; beating back nine miles, the Sappho bad a lead of twenty-two minutes; and, finally, after the reach for home of nine miles, the Sappho won by twenty-five minutes twenty-seven seconds, or aboivfc five niiles;