Shipping.

Evening Star, Issue 3798, 27 April 1875, Page 3

Shipping.

POET CHALMERS. SAir.ED. April 27.—Isabella Pratt, 71 tons, Cross, for Oauiaru. ’ Woodville, barque, 362 tons, Condy, for New castle. Shag, 5.8., 45 tons, Wing, lor Moaroki and Shag Point. 6 Alhambra, 497 tons, Sinclair, for Melbourne Passengers; For Melbourne—Hon. H. B. Andrews, Mrs M'Phee, Mr Murray, and twenty-seven in the steerage. For the Bluff—One in the steerage. The s.s. Maori will sail this evening on a special trip to Oamaru. , The Woodville, for Newcastle, was towed to sea this morning by the tug Geelong The ketch Edith Reid was taken off Isbister’s slip at high water, and hauled alongside the ship Oamaru for transhipments. F +Aa e fi t^la^ g Vu b °^ ers ’- pat J. ef , tll<f new machinery to be fitted at the Graving Dock, were transhipped yesterday from the ship Eangitikei into the galliot lighter, and safely landed on the dock-head last Bight. THE COSPATEICK CATASTROPHE. The Board of Inquiry have reported that they unanimously consider that the fire originated in the forehold, which was separated from the fore peak by a wooden bulkhead. It was given in evidence that two upper board# of this bulkhead had been and could be easi y knocked down when required' and entrance thus gained to the forehold. Prom the very rapid maimer in which the fire spread one can come to no other conclusion than that some of the crew or emigrants must have taken advantage of this access to the forehold for the purpose of plundering the cargo, and that, in using naked lights or matches, they must have set fire to straw or other inflammable matter. The Court was of opinion that the Cospatriek had a proper number of boats the cubic capacity of which was in excess of that required by law ; and though it was to bo regretted that, at the first alarm of lire given, no steps were taken to have tho boats iu readiness on being required, they could not feel surprised at the tenable result when it was t ikeu into consideration that the lire broke out nt one a.m., when all except the watch were below, and the fearful raxndity of its progress, and the panic that would naturally 1 bo caused amoug men aud women at such a time. They recommend, with a view of preventing tho recurrence of similar disasters, that "all wooden vessels carrying, or about to carry passengers or emin-ants should have the coal-hole bulkhead fitted as strong ns the ingenuity of the shipwright cau suggest, constructed of hard wood, and secured to hard wood stanchions of suitable dimensions. This description of buftKead would effectually cut off all communication between tfie fore peak and main hold, and any. attempt at plunder would bo frustrated. In lion vessels this object is attumed. , With regard to boats, the practt&of Stowing .them keel uppermost is objection-' >t happens ip many cases that many I^s

ate sacrificed before the boats can be turned up and launched. Boats should always be stowed on c.locks, and all ships carrying passeugeis or emigrants be compelled to exorcise their ci ews weekly, weather permitting, at fire and boat stations, and an enl ry be made in the official log-hooK, certifying that J 10,3 been done. Further, that properly fitted gear for putting boats over the side be kept in readiness near them in case of emergency/*

HIGH "WA^EE. To-moreow. Heads. 1 Px. Chalmers, I DuwiiBni. 7.49 p.m. | 8.29 p.m. 1 9.14 p.m,