SHIPPING.

Globe, Volume IV, Issue 471, 18 December 1875, Page 2

SHIPPING.

POET OF LYTTELTON. ARRIVED. Dec 1 8 —Ansdell, barque, from Newcastle. Dec 18 —Prince Alfred, barquentino, 101 ton?, Bennett, from Kaip; Dec 18 X.X.X., ketch, 21 tons, Clark, from Kaiapoi. CLEARED. Dec 18 Blackwall, ketch 26 tons, Calvert, for Patea. On the arrival of the s s Taupo at the wharf on Thursday night, a number of geutlemen went down into the saloon to say good-bye. Captain Macfarlane occupied the chair. The health oi the captain and officers were proposed by Captain M'Lellan, and drank enthusiastically. Captain Macfarlane and Mr M’Qucen. the chief engineer, responding. Success to the Union Company was drunk with enthusiasm, and the meeting then dispersed, we need hardly say, thoroughly satisiied with their splendid day’s trip in the s.s Tanpo. Messrs M'Meckan, Blackwood, and Co have, we hear, decided to open regular steam communication between New Zealand and Sydney, placing in the first instance their fine vessels Otago and Omco in the service. The Otago comes from Melbourne in January via Bluff and Port Chalmers, and f rom Lyttelton, on her way to Sydney; calls at Wellington, Nelson, Greymouth. and Hokitika, returning by the same route to Melbourne. The Omeo commences by following the Otago from Melbourne. This nrw communication with Sydney connects New Zealand and Australia at all centres of trade. THE STEAMER TAIAROA. We obtained but little additional intelligence respecting the mishap to the Taiaroa from the Express yesterday. Captain Fraser, of the Express, was reticent for reasons of his own with which we have no concern. It seems, however, that tire Taiaroa scraped right over the rock, and in clearing it damaged her propeller, besides sustaining injuries to her bottom that caused her to leak excessively, and necessitated beaching her at the Bluff. There was a great deal of water in her when she was laid on the ground. The extent of the damage has not been ascertained. We have heard casually that the Express has put in a claim for salvage, variously stated at from £2OOO to £SOOO. The Southland papers give very meagre accounts of the affair. The “News” of the 11th reports as follows, “Early yesterday morning signals were seen flying from the flagstaff on the Bluff Hill, denoting that a steamer was ashore on Dog Island. From subsequent signals she proved to be the Taiaroa, from Glasgow to Dunedin. She was built for Messrs P. Henderson and Co, Glasgow, to trade between Timaru, Oamaru, and other intermediate ports, making Dunedin the headquarters. The s.s. Express proceeded to her assistance, but the Taiaroa glided off the rocks just before the Express reached her. As, however, there was water in each compartment, it was thought advisable to take her in tow. She is now beached at the east end of the wharf. The damage appears to be amidships, but to what exteut is not yet known. The Taiaroa called in at Hobart Town on 30th November to coal, and left there on the 4th December, She passed the Bluff at 7 a.m. yesterday, and Btranded on the reef known as the O d Man Rocks, about a quarter of a mile from Dog Island. Captain Gilpin, her late master, died of paralysis on the 3rd November, off Algoa Bay, leaving his wife and three children on board to mourn his loss. There were four packages ot mails on board tor Dunedin, and one for the Bluff, which are landed eafely. The Taiaroa is a fine-looking vessel, has •plendid accommodation for saloon passengers, and ib iiiitU with all the latest improvements. She will no doubt become a tavorite with tiie travelling public.” An enquiry into the circumstances ot the serious misadventure is to be held at the Bluff, and commences to-day. The ‘Hobart Town Mercury’ of the 4th instant gives the following report of the Taiaroa“ The signal of “ a steamer from Cape Town in sight” was hoisted early yesterday afternoon on the yard-arm of the Battery Point signalstall’, and speculation was rife as to the identity ol the visitor. Pilot Hurburgh had hoarded the now arrival off Kelly’s Point, and signalled the information that her name was the Taiaroa. At 3 p.m the vessel dropped anchor in the Cove, when it was ascertained that she was from Glasgow, bound to New Zealand, via Cape Town, and had put in here for coal. The Taiaroa left Glasgow on the 18th September, and cleared Tuskar on (he 21st. Experienced chiefly strong S,W. winds till obtaining ihe N.E. trades on the 27th September, in lat. 37 N. and long. 15 3n W. They proved very light Put info St. Vincent on the 3rd October for coal, and after receiving a small supply the vessel left on the 6th October. The Equator was c ossed on the 13th, and the S.E, trades were encountered shortly afterwards, and proved light throughout. Ran along the African coast, and on the 28th October put into Cape Town lor coal, and also to obtain standard compasses, those on board being entirely out. Left on the Ist November. On the 2nd. Captain Robert Gilpin, whilst at dinner, was observed to suddenly fall back in hie chair, as if paralysed. He was removed from the table by the officers, who used various means for his recovery, but without success. He never spoke a word atter his seizure, and died on the evening ot the 3rd. Next evening his body was committed to the deep. Captain Gilpin was till lately master of H.M.S Valiant, and left the navy for the purpose of settling in New Zealand, and was engaged to take the Taiaroa out. He was 46 years of age, and leaves a widow and three young sons, who are on board the vessel. After the death of Captain Gilpin, the command devolved upon the chief officer, Air Joannes Spiegelthar. From Capetown till clearing the Cape of Good Hope, light E.S.E. winds and fine weather were experienced, then encountered westerly. Ban the easting down on the parallels of 36 and 38, the latter being the farthest point south attained. Captain Spiegelthar intended at one time to run to King George’s Sound for coal, but after calculating he found that the bunkers held sufficient to take her to her destination, and he held on his course. On Thursday last, when about six miles to the S.E. Of Tasmania, a terrific gale from N.W. to S.W. was encountered, which, with a very high sea. continued until yesterday forenoon. The first land made was South-West Cape, at 8.30 p ra. on Thursday, and at 6 p.m. the Mewstone was passed. The vessel not having on board coal sufficient both to ballast the vessel and consume for the engines during the voyage to New Zealand, the captain resolved to put into this harbor, where he arrived as mentioned. He made an arrangement with the Tasmanian Steam Navigation Company for a supply of coal, Which will be taken in along-ide the hulk Propontis, and during the day the steamer will be enabled to leave for her destination—Dunedin, The Taiaroa il a very handsome vessel of 299 tons register, and was built at Glagow by A. and J. Inglis for Messrs Patrick Henderson and Co, of that city. She is intended for the New Zealand coast traffic, for which, considering she can carry a large cargo on a light draught, and possesses splendid accommodation for a very large number of passengers, she is exceedingly well adapted. Her dimensions are:— Length, 189 ft; beam, 23ft; and depth of Hold, 12ft. She is fitted with High and low pressure surface condensing engines of 100 horse-power, nominal, but capable of being worked up to 500 horse-power. Her average speed is between 8i and 9 knots an hour.”—“Otago Daily Times,” December 13th.