TELEGRAMS.

Wellington Independent, Volume XXVI, Issue 3178, 20 April 1871, Page 2

TELEGRAMS.

Nelson: 18th— 7.20 p.m., Taranaki, from Picton. The 8.8. Phcebo was detained yesterday in consequence of the S.E. galo blowing in the Straits, and the heavy sea on outside. If the weather moderates she will leave here at noon this day for Lyttelton, Port Chalmers, and tho Bluff. The s.s. Gothenburg was to leave Lyttelton for this port at 1 p.m. yesterday, weather permitting. She had been detained at Lyttelton in consequence of tho state of the weather. The s.s. Lord Ashley will sail for Napier, ffauranga, and Auckland on Monday next. The England is discharging her cargo very slowly indeed in consequence of the very inclement weather which has pvovailod lately. She has a steam winch, but wo think it is not bo profitable or useful as tho other mode of discharging, unless worked by a man who is quite competent to undertake the duties. She is taking in tallow and hides at presented wo learn that about 800 bnles are now awaiting shipment by her. Several passages have been already enquired for, and we anticipate her departure in May. The Loch Lee, 247 tons, from London, is now out 109 days, and may be duily expected. She is, wo believe, consigned to Messrs Turnbull & Co.

The 8.8. Go -Ahead arrived at Taranaki on the 11th insb. She was to make an excursion trip to Waitotara on the 12th, after which Bhe Would load cattle for tho Manukau.

The schooner Esther, brig Lady Denison, ketch Adventurer, Canterbury schooner, and ketch Huon Belle are all ready for sea waiting moderation of the weather, and will likely leave to-day for thoir respective destinations. The master of the Speedwell, lately arrived from the North, informs us that a parcel of window sashes has been picked up on the Taupo beach, to the north'of Wangaroa Heads. Q?bese are believed to have formed a portion of the cargo of the ill-fated steamer Tauianga at the time that ehe waa run down off the Hen and Chickene. — " New Zealand Herald" 14th instant.

The Norwegian brig Gie, of 216 tons, which haß sailed from Glasgow for Rio Janeiro, under Messrs M'Donald, Hood and Co's line, Bhipped at Glasgow a lighthouse intended for a new light station near Rio Janeiro j it is entered as valued at £1600.

Messrs Jackeon, Brothers, of New York, have invented a very simple and yet very effective steering apparatus, and one that works with less friction than any at present in use. 3?he shaft of the wheel has formed upon it two screw threads — right and left hand. Upon these threads travel nuts of great strength, so that when the wheel is turned in one direction the nuts approach each, other, and contrariwise when tho motion of tho wheel is reversed, the motion of the nuts being communicated to the rudder post through stout arms with lugs. playing upon pivots in the head of the rudderposts. The holes in die lugs are larger than the pivots, and the latter are provided with composition rollers. Tho nuts working on tho ecrew are provided with composition boxes ; they also work upon a guide-rod, provided •with shoulders, which keep tho end boxes equally distant and firmly in place. The rudder can rise two inches above its natural position without disarranging the apparatus. The device is much neater iv appearance than the old style, of steering apparatus, and it appears not likely to give trouble by getting out of repair. It may be worth directing the attention of shipowners — especially owners of steamers — to the fact that there was, at last advices, a great scarcity of tonnage at Calcutta — jute to Dundee commanding by steamer £4 10*, and by iron ship £4 to £4 ss. In tho port there were only 4000 tons disengaged, being not more than two days' supply ; while of sixtytwo vessels expected to arrive, forty -six had been chartered beforehand, and charterers were too anxious to secure vessels to care much about their class. — " Tickell's Report."

The " Liverpool Courier" publishes the particulars of a collision that occurred in the Mersey at dusk on the evening of the 13th of February, whioh resulted in the sinking of a fine steamer belonging to the Mediterranean fleet of tho Cunard Company. Tho ss. Morocco, Captain Leiteh, 1212 tons burden, was proceeding to sea, bound for Constantinople •with a cargo of fine goods valued at £150,000. The Guion steamer Wyoming, 2505 tons burden, Captain Whineary, had shortly before come out of the Sandon dock, preparatory to sailing for New York next day, and had cast anchor off Egromont Ferry. The Morocco approached in such a position that she vraa compelled to pass round the stern of the Wyoming, and the pilot was obliged to avoid giving her much of the starboard helm for fear of running into a vessel that wns under tow. The result was, that (is the Morocco passed, she caught the quarter of tho Wyoming, which is a comparatively high vessel of considerable overhang at the stern. The effect of the collision was that the stern of the Wyoming swept tho Morocco's deck fore and aft on the starboard aide as the latter steamed past her. It is supposed also that one blade of the Wyoming's screw propeller struck the Morocco on her side under water, and tore her platc3 open for some distance along her length. The Morocco began to fill rapidly with water, and it was evident that she must very soon sink. In five minutes, bo rapidly had tlio water come into her, the furnaces were extinguished and the machinery was of no use. Eventually she sank in four fathoms of water. Bhe was not wholly submerged, but the water wns level with her deck. The Wyoming sustained very little damage, and proceeds to sea in her usual course.