SHIPPING INTELLIGENCE.

Westport Times, Volume II, Issue 170, 15 February 1868, Page 2

SHIPPING INTELLIGENCE.

PORT OF WEST PORT. 117011 WATRB. '1 his Dnj ... :!.::<> a.m., i.O p.m. AniIIVAX. February 14—Bruce, p.s., from Hokikitn and Qreyniouth, r.hi'AlM'l KIO. I'cb. 14- -Wangnnui, s.s., for Wsnganui. VESSELS IN I'OJM'. Schooner Ada. Ketches- Constai't, Mary. Steamers —Southland. EXPECTED ABRIYALS. Northern Light, from Melbourne. Mary Gumming, from Melbourne. Mavy Ann, from Melbourne. Evening Star, fromWanganui. The steamship Wangnnui, bound for Wangnnui and Wellington, crossed the bar at 11 •a.m. yesterday. No other entries were made at the Custom-house. The paddle-steamer Bruce crossed the bar last evening at, i 1, and reports having come in without lights, having waited some time for thorn. She left Ilokit ika at noon, got to Greymouth at 0 p.in., left, again at 5 p.m. Fine weather throughout.

BURNING OF THE SHIP CITY 01 MELBOURNE. (FBOM THE MELBOL'ItM. IIEKALD.)

At a very early liour yesterday morning Melbourne and the suburbs around tlie Bay must have been much startled by the I<> d and continued tolling of the metropolitan fire-bell, and the exhibition of flash lights at frequent intervals in various portions of the shipping lying between Williamstown and Sandridge. The fact wis that another had been added to the rather balky list of ships which had caught fire in the port of Melbourne ; and as it afterwards proved, sue was to make up the twelfth vessel which had eecn destroyed by that element here. Owing to the time at which the fire was discovered, and the many hours of night through which the principal portion of the operations connected with the attempt to save the ship were carried on, the accounts of the catastrophe in some respects vary as to what was done from first to last ; but we believe that the following is as near as possible what occurred. 1 is the custom, of the water-police to go on a sort of patrol duty over the Bay every night, and to hail the watchman on board of each of the ships lying at anchor or at the piers, in order to ascertain that all is right. At about ten minutes before one o'clock. Seniorconstable Minto, of the water-police, hailed the watchman who was patrolling the deck of the City of Melbourne, lying on the seaward side of the Railway pier at Williamstown. All was then quiet, and the cunstable being answered with the usual " All's well," went on to the next vessel. Ten minutes hud hardly elapsed, however, before lie heard a cry of " Fire," coming apparently from on board the City of Melbourne, and hastening back to her he found smoke issuing in various directions from the lower portions of the vessel. lb appeared that just after he had left, a boy who was aboard happened to leave his bunk and come on deck for a drink of water, and when he did so he instanfly detected the smell of burning wood. On running forward, smoke was found issuing from the chain locker, and the alarm was instantly given. The ship —a fine vessel of 1800 tons burthen—was taking in her cargo, lying for that purpose on the eastern side of Williamstown Railway pier, near to the Canterbury and Niagara, the Warrior being at the other side. The instant the alarm was given the crews of the vessels near at hand were aroused, and the water police, under their sergeant, boarded, and took instant measures to extinguish the flames, it was too late when assistance got aboard to find out what portion of the ship was on fire, as smoke was then issuing from every available crevice, and men found it impossible even to put ;heir beads below the deck. The ship, as she was only loading, had very few hands on board ; and of these few some had gone up to Melbourne, so that when the water police went aboard, thny found only the captain, mate, watchman, fiue sf the crew, and two other men there. However, the officers and men of several other vossels were soon abroad, and with the assistance of the police, took measures to extinguish the flames. Tne alarm was then general, and volunteers came in from all quarters. Captuiu Norman made "his appearance at the bead of the officers and crew of the Victoria, accompanied by Captain Fullarton, and those of the Pharos, Mr Campbell, assistant harbor master, and Mr Elder, of the Marine-yard, with some of the workmen of that place. The officers of Customs also came to assist ; and Inspector Beaver was present with a body of police. The first done was to clo e the hatches and other aparteurs through which the flames might rise, and through which air might be communicated to feed them, as the wind was then blowing rather fresh from the south. Several length of hose were then attached to the Yan Yean pipes on the Railway pier, and in company with the engine from on board the Niagara, these played on the vessel for more than an honr, pouring volumes of water below through holes which had been cut on purpose in the deck. It was found, at the end of that time, however, that the fire—instead of being influenced by their efforts—was rapidly gaining ground ; and fearing for the other vessels lying round the ill-fated City of Mell ourne, tug-steamers were sent for to tow her out, and the men from the Marineyard succeeded in partially scuttling her on the starboard side by cutting a large hole bidow water-mark. The wind was favorable, and as the tug-steamers did not make their appearance, the vessel—drawing 23 feet of water was cast off, aud drifted out in the direction of Sandridge. About 4 o'clock in the morning she reached a position between the points of the Railway and Breakwater piers, and there grounded ; after which all connections which she had with the. shore were cast loose. Between 7 and 8 in the morning it was thougt advisable that holes should be made, if possible, near the bows, so as to facilitate the process of scuttling, and accordingly several shots were fired at her from the masked battery on the breakwater. A Glib, shot entered her bows a short distance above above the water-mark, between wind and water, so that the sea raised by the swell gradually filled in, and this was in a very great measure the cause of the grounding. No flames had yet made

their appearance, but tlie decks were so hot that it was :i difficulty -in some places an impossibility to pass along them. The mizen and fore-masts wero then cut away, but owing to 1 lie intense heat amidships the same could not be effected in the case of the mainmast. Attacked by the flames, however, at a few minutes past eleven, it went overboard with all its yards, crashing into the sen. At nine o'clock the flames first innde their appoaronce, but during the whole morning the shipping to leeward of the City of Melbourne was enveloped in a dense cloud of smoke. The Warhawk and Black Eagle tugs earar to assist at about live in the morning, but were not required. At a lato hour in the evening the flames had nearly reached the water's edge ; but as was the ease with the Result, we may expect them to keep burning for two or ree days. The cargo (the ship being only partly leaden) consisted of JJ2SO bales of wool, thirty bales of leather, twelve casks of tallow, some black pand, and 200 bags of copper ore. It is well known that wool closely pressed together, ns it is when placed on boerd a vessel, is very seldom much injured by lire, as little more than the outside bales receive injury. Taking this view of the case, wo believe the harbor nushoritics advlsoy Captain Jones, the master, to emplo.C hands to put out the flames before they reach the -water's edge, so that the wool might be taken oil dry. Th '■■ ■ bowev did not do. lie stayed on board till soiv.e time after daylight in the morning, and then went over to another vessel belonging to the same line. It may seem curious to some tha so many vessels have been destroyed in t'.i port from failure of successfully scuttlin .hem. We believe that the harbor is u provided with proper appliances for enrryin out Ih ■ w< rk, ns if such were to bind •■ -'

could be scuttled in a very short time. We do not know what, insurances have been effected in the case of either the ship or cargo ; but we believe that the vessel at least is well insured. Mr Cornrcndy, the sevedore, who was putting the cargo aboard, has lost all his epparatus, to the vapie of about £'3oo. The City o! Melbourne'belonged to the Black Ball'fine, and has been trading to Melbourne for scverui years. It is said that a large quantity of the cargo will bo saved. Nothing of any kind was got oil' before the flames broke out, except ing some wearing apparel belongin so tin sailors, and the compasses and chromonoters. The police are now in charge of the wreck, with orders to secure all that floate off. An inquest, into the cause of the disaster is to be held. It seems rather curious that, only a day or two has elapsed since the remains of the Result, which was burnt many months ago, was raised from the position where she gi\ unded.