MISCELLANEOUS SHIPPING.

Wellington Independent, Volume XXI, Issue 2344, 5 April 1866, Page 4

MISCELLANEOUS SHIPPING.

The ship Helenslee, from Glasgow, arrived at Port Chalmers on the 22nd. The steamer Barwon, from Melbourne and Hokitika, arrived at tho same port o tho 24' th. The barque Frederick Bassil, from Capo Town, with immigrants, arrivod at Auckland on the 20th, after a passage of sixty days. The ship 3 Cissy and Victory arrived at Port Lyttelton, from London, on the 24th and 25fch instant. The Strathspey, 147 days from London, arrived at Port Chalmers on the 26th inst. The barque Indus, with general cargo, and a large quantity of iron bark timber, for tho Lyttelton harbor works, arrived at that port, from Sydney, on the 18th inst. MrasiNG Vessels. — Two vessels belonging to Auckland, the Sir Henry Havelock and the Kiwi, lately engaged in tho West Coast trade, are supposed to be lost, as neither have been heard of for some time. The Sir Henry Havelock sailed from Hokitika for Invercargill, and the Kiwi left tho siino port for Manakau. It is feared that all hands on board both vessels perished. BorxiiE Diuven Ashore. — On Sabbath fore - noon, as several parties were walking out on the West Sands they saw a bottle come ashore, firmly plugged up with a piece of soft wood. It was an empty brandy bottle. On being broken v piece of puper, a leaf torn out of a pass-book was found inside, with the following words written in a plain good hand.' "Off Arbroath. — Tho schooner Maggio Anderson, sprung a leak — the night misty and stormy. August 21, 1865. Capt. Nicol." If this vessel has gone amissing, probably this writing may throw some light on her fate. — Glasgow Herald. Thursday last was a lucky day for two vessels that have recently been ashore, tho Thane and the Challenge, for both got off, and are now in the river. The latter vessel wa3 not in any danger, though hard and fa3t on the spit, but the former appeared likely either to go to pieces on a westerly galo setting in, or to take an overland trip, at a very serious expense. On the pievious day the Thane's cargo was landed, and great exertions made to slew her head round to the southward. These fortunately succeeded, and by dint of judicious management sho was wriggled into safety. On Thursday, however, she was fortunate in the weather, for tho heavy rain caused a little fresh in the river, and with a high tide enabled her to bo floated. We understand neither vessel has sustained the slightest injury and both will commence work immediately. — " Okarita Times," March 17. On Wednesday, when coming in, the Lioness had a very narrow escape. Just on crossing tho bar the rudder chains broke, and it was only through the activity and good seamanship of Captain Whitford that she was prevented from going bodily on tho spit in an almost hopelessly dangerous position. As soon as the chain parted the Captain was at tho wheel, and in less time almost than it takes to tell, had a tiller shipped, which was kept ready for such an emergency. By this means tho boat was instantly got under command ancl readied her destination in safety. In connection with tho Lioness, we may observe, that she has now got a sea-going certificate, and brought her first cargo of passengers on the day in question. — " Ibid," March 2i. j