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Wellington Independent, Volume XXVI, Issue 3309, 22 September 1871, Page 2

The three-masted schooner Lady Eird left Wellington on Wednesday evening, at seven o'clock, on her voyage to Newcastle, with the wind S.E. Worked out as far as Barrett's reef, the vessel working well. In making the last board across to Barrett's reef she missed Btaya, and, as the wind was baffling, leg go the anchor, The anchor, however, did not hold, and she drove down on to the south end of the reef, and bumped heavily. The Captain got the boats out, but in doing so the longboat filled, but was righted again, and the six passengers (two of whom were fema'ee) were got on board. The Captain then started for the pilot station for assistance, and Mr Holmes and his crew proceeded to the vessel, and met the boat with the passengers on board all cafe. The wind freshened and the g-a rising, ib was thought prudent to got all the luggage arid valuables out of the vessel. These were transferred to the pilot boat, and she returned to the pilot station, leaving no one on board. As the vessel wus b'umpiug heavily and leakiug a great deal, it was thought probable that she would become a wreck. After the pilot boat had landed the luggage, &c, she returned to the Lady Bird, in company with the ship's boat, and on getting on board Mr Holmes thought it possible to get the vessel off. He gave ord«rs to set tho foretopsail and foresail to work her through the rocks, and also sent a man below to plug the holes in the vessel's aides. After considerable difficulty the holes were partially stopped, and tho tide rising she moved ahead and cleared the rocks. She was then headed for Wellington, and succeeded in arriving alongside the breastwork, where Bhe will undergo repairs. While the Lady Bird was on the rocks, a quantity of luggage was landed on the rocks and left in charge of two of the crew j they were landed at the pilot Station yesterday morning. On receipt of the news Mr Dransfield immediately sent a boat to bring the passengers to town. Great praise is due to Mr Holmes (pilot) and his crew for the timely assistance rendered, and also to ths master of tho Lady Bird for his coolness under the unfortunate circumstances. During the passage of tho Kent, which has arrived in Melbourne, a most painful incident occurred, Mr Arthur Collett, one of the midshipmen, falling overboard on the morning of the 11th July, and being drowned. At the time the vessel was in lat. 41 deg S, and long 11 deg 41 nain W. She was running before a heavy gale under reefed mainsail and lower topsails, and on account of tho tremendous sea and the very thick weather, it was found impossible to do anything for the rescue of the unfortunate young mau. The Cerberus, ironclad, having been put into fighting trim, has made her trial trips down jETobson'a Bay. On the first occasion there was a heavy sea on, and she proved herself perfectly fit for her destined duty — viz, the defence of the Bay. The turrets worked well and smoothly, and competent judges assert that the vessel in every •way comos up to the eulogiums that have been passed upon her. The Cerberus is at present stationed in Corio Bay, and is an object of attraction to the people of Geelong avid the neighboring localities. The "Sydney Morning Herald" is informed by Mr Moore, agent of tho Peninsular and Oriental Steam Navigation Company, that the Bangalore and Nubia will replace tho Avoca and Geelong on the line, between Galle and Sydney, the Bangalore bringing the next mail. It was at first intended to employ the Ceylon aud Pera on this service, but some delay would have attended their preparation. These ebip3 have large passenger accommodation and great speed.