SHIPPING.

Globe, Volume V, Issue 576, 24 April 1876, Page 2

SHIPPING.

PORT OP LYTTELTON. CLEARED, April 24—Adelphoi, barque, 349 tons, for Newcastle. SAILED. April 24-Anadel, barque, 293 tons, Barnes, for Newcastle, N.S.W. April 24->'ophie, schooner, 253 tons, Bramsheger, for Sydney. Cargo, produce. April 24—Albion, brig, 243 tons, Payne, for Auckland April 24—Prince Alfred, barquontine, 101 tons, Bennett, for Auckland. April 24-Courier, ketch, 31 tons, Sinclair, for Pigeon Bay. April 24—Isabella, ketch, 52 tons, Purdic, for Oamaru. April 24—Kestrel, ketch, 20 tons, Putter, for Mcintosh Bay. April 24—Reward, schooner, 41 tons, Westlake, for Westport. The following telegram was received by the Harbourmaster (Captain Gibson) at Lyt telton, this morning at 10 a.m., from Oamaru: —"The Lucy James arrived at Oamaru this morning, and reports supplying with provisions the topsail schooner Prince Rupert, on Friday last, twenty-four miles N.E. from Oamaru, twenty-eight days out from Auckland to Lyttelton ; was dismasted on the 18th ; had main boom rigged for mast; could set staysail, squaresail, and mizen. Is expected to fetch north side Peninsula with present southerly breeze."

SAILING OF Til IS RANGITIKEI

This grand ship has again left our shores with a cargo worth about £120,000, besides many passengers. None need be surprised at seeing that so many took atrip home in tills vessel, her reputation of being one of the fastest, it not the fas est ship that trades to New Zealand, and her unquestionable qualities as ft sea boat, making it a matter of anxiety with many to travel in her. That bustling and fcoaitBtirrlng scene which is now the general prelude to the departure of any of the N.Z.S. Co’s regular liners was repeated on Saturday on the arrival of the U a.m. train, by which came most of the passengers from Christchurch. The s.s. Moa was a aiting at the Waterman’s I'icr, ready to convey passengers, friends, and luggage to the ship, and great was the confusion that ensued for some little time, for here the partings commenced. Till latterly there has always been so great an uncertainty hanging over ii ship’s departure, so much waiting for a favorable wind, so much delay for cargo not to hand at proper time, that the relatives and friends of those about to leave them for a long time, perhaps for cyer, did not like to quit their daily avocations on the chance of coming to port and finding the prevailing north-easter blowing and the ship securely anchored, waiting for a slant of westerly weather; but now all this is changed; for weeks beforehand the day is known on which the ship sails, so that all have an opportunity of making arrangements to see their friends off; and whatever the wind the ship goes, steam being employed should the weather prove nnpropltious. The consequence of tills is that hundreds ot people who would otherwise be unable to do so, have an opportuuitrof seeing the last of those they are to be separated from, and tills is a great boon given to the community by the company. It has now beccme the custom lor these friends to go oil in the local steamer that carries the passengers and their uggage on board, and see them settled in their temporary home, aud the decks of the se Moa were crowded on Saturday last by nearly 200 people, Including Messrs Coster, Seivvyn Smith, Gould, Kevaus, Captain Kose, and others Interested in the company, who were determined to see as usual that nothing was wanting, and that (lie vessel should leave our port with that eclat that takes so much from the juiin of parting. It was a lovely day. the sea nearly smooth, a gentle nor’wester just rippling it, and the Kaugitikei was soon reached. Gaining the deck, one found that although those final preparations were being made which arc inseparable fiom the departure of a large passenger ship, that the docks wore nearly clear, the stock well secured, and all in fair sea-going trim. The second cabin and steerage accommodation were excellent, the former being placed in a portion ot tile saloon, and Ihe latter between decks, close under the break of the poop, a covered gangway leading down to it, a great improvement on the usual booby hatch. One saloon passenger looked rather gloomy; he was an eld traveller, and evidently something troubled him. When questioned, he remarked that he saw splendid beef hanging under the mizen top, that the sheep pens were completely filled, aud there seemed no lack of poultry, but that he could not see the pigs, and II there was anything ready good on board a ship, it was a pig. Going forward shortly afterwards we found this same gentleman a smile of happiness irradiating Ids countenatce-he was contemplating two pens of magnificent porkers. It bad been contemplated to tow the ship out with the s.s, Tuupo should there be a strong head wind ; but as what little wind there was was N. \V, it was resolved to make the smart little Akaroa suffice. About 12.30 the windlass was manned, and at 1 p m. the steamer took the ship in tow, and she slowly started on her way home. The s.s. Moa accompanied the sldp some distance, but at last the warning whistle was heard, there were a number of final good-byes and scrambling over the bulwarks, and the Moa cast off. Three hearty cheers were given from the steamer and answ red as heartily from the ship as the vessels separated. There were now several light puffs from the N.W, and Pilot Reed, who was in charge, gave the orders to loose the fore and aft sails, and the ship was soon under her jibs, maintoprnast and topgallant staysails aud spanker. This helped her along a bit. but some B.E. gusts rendered it necessary to again haul them down ; however, all on board were pleased to see that that as the Taupo steamer passed the Heads, her smoke went away to the S.E, showing the wind outside was from the N.W. At 3 pm. the Heads were reached, and no sooner were they passed than the fair wind came, gently at first, but Increasing in power as the ship got further from the land. All was now excitement on board, sail after sail was set, passengers aud those few visitors still on board who intended returning in the tow boat, caught the infection and manned the haulyards with a will, aud before many minutes were" passed the Kangitikei was bowling along under all plain sail. The Akaroa, finding that she had all her work out out to keep ahead of the ship, now cast off. Final good wishes were exchanged, ana wc left the deck of the good .ship and proceeded on board the steamer,by boat. When we got on board, It was reselvecl to give them one final cheer, and Captain McLean having put the Akaroa on her mettle, we steamed round the ship, exchanging cheers with those on board. As we crossed the bows of the good ship, she was truly a magnificent sight as she came plunging on. every sail drawing, from the royals down, her beautiful lines showing to the greatest advantage lu splendid trim, and with such a favorable start, the Kangitikei should be heard of before eighty days have passed. We had very pleasant times returning to Lyttelton watching the good ship gradually disappear as tho breeze got stronger and stronger on increasing her distance from the land, and when we rounded the breakwater she was a mere spec, barely distinguishable. The Kangitikei is the last wool ship of the season, and on arrival at home it is intended to fit her vrith improved saloon accommodation.

DOCKING THE COLIMA,

Docking the Colima was successfully accomplished yesterday under the supervision of Captain Thomson, the harbor master. So much having be( n lately said about rhu Colima and the capabilities of of this port, we give this latest move iu connection with her due prominence, but at the same time may observe that we attach very little ext*a importance to the fact of the Colima having been taken into the Graving Dock of Port Chalmers, inasmuch that the dock was expressly constructed to accommodate vessels not only of her size, but considerably larger. No trouble whatever was experienced in placing the Colima s huge bulk on the blocks, not that she was particularly easy to handle, but because the most careful and perfect preparations had been made to move and receive her. The officials Of the Harbour Department were on the alert, and very great credit Is due to Mr Andrew M'Klnron, the dock master, for the skill and forethought he displayed in perfecting every detail in connecting with takimf tip* Colima our of water, slim t y 1 efore the tide had fully flowed, Pilot Stevens took - barge ot the Colima, and unmoored her, and at high water the tug Get long and the steamer Jam went alongside—the former making fast to the Go ma’s starboard quarter, and tile Jane to her pot t how. Her anchor was than weighed, and after a little pjgnoQttniog, »&? wm canted end on to tUe dock,

and moved slowly shorewards. The dock-head was reached without a hitch of any kind occurring. The Colima was then pointed fairly for the entrance, and ten minutes later was inside. Slioriug her up quickly proceeded, pumps started, and site settled comfortably upon the blocks, and before the afternoon closed was clear of tlie water. We are glad to say that the damage shejj has sustained is not so serious as at first supposed. Her shaft is perfectly sound, only the propeller having falleu away. Its boss must have burst, as every particle of it has disappeared. As the Colima has a spare propeller on board, her (detention in dock is not Jikely to exceed live or six days. The Graving Dock was never quite so full as it is at present, but yet a vessel nearly twenty feet longer than the Colima could bo accommodated. Her length, on the keel is about 312 feet, whilst the dock is 330 leet long. As she now lies, she may he likened to an immense fisli out of water, and as such was a source i f great attraction yesterday, scores of people visiting tiie dock to view her bulk from keel to gunwale. ‘ he is a full lined vessel, and, as far as her outside appearance goes, may be credited with average strength, her plating being quite up to average thickness.—“ Otago Daily Times,” 21st.