SHIPPING.

Ashburton Guardian, Volume 1, Issue 72, 11 March 1880, Page 2

SHIPPING.

STEAMERS LEAVE LYTTELTON AS UNDER. For ■Wellington —Ringarooma, This' Day, Thursday, March 11. Passengers 2 - 40p.m. train. To be followed by Wanaka, March 13th. For Napier, Gisborne, Tauranga and Auckland —Ringarooma, This Day, Thursday, March 11. Passengers by 2.40 p.m. train. To be followed Wanaka, by on Saturday, March 13. For Port Chalmers— Taiaroa, This Day, / Thursday, March 11. Passengers by 12.10 p.m. train To be followed by Hawea, on Saturday, March 13. For Melbourne, via Bluff Arawata, Tuesday, March 16. Passengers by 2 - 40 train. To'be followed by Tararua, March 23, not calling at Hobart Town. For Sydney Ringarooma, This Day, Thursday, March 11, Passengers by 2.40 p.m. train. For Picxon, Nelson, Taranaki, and Manukau Ladybird, Tuesday, March 16. Passengers by 240 p.m. train. A NARROW ESCAPE FROM COLLISION IN THE FRENCH PASS. The steamers Waitaki and Charles Edward narrowly escaped a disastrous collision in the French Pass on Thursday night. The Charles Edward left Nelson at 7 o’clock on Wednesday evening, and reaching the French Pass at 11, steamed slowly through against the tide, which was adverse. The night was dark and rather thick, while the precipitous spur which projects into the passage on the south side effectually shut out any long view ahead. Suddenly, to the horror of those on hoard, the lights of another steamer were seen coming round the corner, and bearing down on the Charles Edward with the full force of the strong tide which runs through the “ narrows ” at the rate of ten or twelve knots. All her lights were visible, thus showing that she was heading straight for the Charles Edward. It was perfectly well known on board the latter that the other could not possibly stop or even check her way without instant destruction, and the only chance of escape for both vessels was to get the Charles out of the direct course. Captain Whitwell, who never lost’ his presence of mind, instantly stopped the engines, and then put them full speed astern. For a few moments the vessel hung motionless, and then began to move backward just in time for the approaching steamer, which proved to be the Waitaki, to slip by, almost touching her as she passed. The escape was about as close as well could be, and had the threatened collision occurred it is hardly likely that a .soul would have escaped to tell the talc. —“ Evening Post,” March 6th.