CHARLESTON.

Westport Times, Volume III, Issue 538, 3 August 1869, Page 2

CHARLESTON.

August 1. The schooner Mary Jane, from Motueka, with a full cargo of pioduce, has been off the port for the last two days awaiting an opportunity to come into harbor. This afternoon a fine breeze from the S.W. was taken advantage of by her as soon as the signal was made from the flagstaff to take the bar, and she entered in fine style. She has on board a coil of coir hair rope, for use as a warp, furnished by the Government, and to be in charge of the Harbor Department. This warp will prove of great utility to vessels fiequenting the port. The whole of her cargo of produce comes consigned to Messrs Gardner and Sutton.

THE ACCIDENT TO THE KENNEDY.

It is with very great regret that we announce that after her late expensive pile-up, and after the long delay in the Hokitika river, the Kennedy has met with another mishap. The heavy seas having gone down, Captain Whitwell determined to cross, end lie followed the Waipara and Persevere down. He succeeded till he came to the end of the recently added South Spit, when the jib was run up, and the vessel seemed to have every chance of making a clean turn. Her length was, however, against her, and she took the bank. An attempt was made to bring her up the river again, but she refused to budge. Maori Steve was ready to get the line again, but Robert Draper, one of the firemen of the Kennedy, jumped overboard with one fastened round him. Tho current took him so far down below where the Brothers and Sisters was lying, that the line had to be slipped. Another was thrown attached to a life-buoy, and both men plunged in after it. Steve was nearest, but it was drawn away from him, and he gave up the attempt. It was then thrown to Draper, who brought it ashore, and soon there were a couple of hundred volun teers tugging away at the hawser, getting all they could, and holding all they got. Site seemed to be coming with the strain, but as the men were walking away with her into the fairway, the rope snapped. Other efforts were made, and they were to be continued last night. The Kennedy is perfectly safe if the sea keeps as it was yesterday, and we trust tiiat to-day will see her either at the wharf, or—what is better still —safe outside, proceeding on her voyage.— IV. C. Times of Wednesday. [The Kennedy got off into the river on Thursday morning.]