SHIPPING.

Globe, Volume VIII, Issue 900, 14 May 1877, Page 2

SHIPPING.

PORT OK LYTTELTON,

Weather Report. May 14-9 a.m., wind, S.W., light ; weather, foggy and drizzling rain. Barometer, 29.40; thermometer, 46. High Water. To-morrow —Morning, 5.29; night, 0. Arrived. —May 13. Wave of Life, schooner, 73 tons, Sop with, from Thames, Cleared. —May 14. Ringarooma, s.s., 623 tons, Whitburn, for Melbourne, via South. Sailed. —May 14, Lloyd’s Herald, ketch, 48 tons. Kearns, for Gatlin’s Liver, in ballast. The s.s. Ringarooma sails South this afternoon. There was no sign of the Piako when our express left port to-day at 1 p.m, CLEARANCE AND SAILING OF THE NEW ZEALAND SHIPPING COMPANY’S OPAWA. Thanks to the great efforts made by all concerned, the Opawa was ready for sea at the time announced. Had not every one connected with the matter worked with a will, the feat would have been impossible, and as it is it rollccls the greatest credit not only on the workers, but on the authorities in charge of the harbor for providing the facilities, rendering such a thing possible. The Opawa arrived here on Monday, April 16tb, and was berthed at the wharf on the Thursday following, April 19th. From thence till the time the Opawa cleared, there have boon throe Sundays, two wet days, and two days during which the Customs authorities stopped the discharge of the ship—from the 10th of April to the 11th of May arc twenty-two days, and when we deduct from this the eight days during which there was no work, wc find that in fourteen days the Opawa discharged 1600 tons and loaded 1400 tons cargo, thus taking in and putting out no less than 3000 tons hi the time mentioned. Twenty-six days after arrival the Opawa, an 1100 (on ship, was hauled out into the stream full as a nut both of passengers and cargo. It is the smartest piece of work wc have yet heard of in Lyttelton, and we believe in any New Zealand port. Her cargo is a large one of considerable value. The following is an approximate estimate of its value : 894 bales wool and skins ...£17,880 11,434 sacks wheat ... ... 11,500 121 casks tallow 1,694 17 eases do 119 1 do silver coin 600 1 do geological specimens... 1,500 3 pkgs sundries 50 Total =£33,343 The clearance, as before stated, was effected on Saturday morning, and at 2.30 p.m. the Titan commenced the work of towing the ship from the wharf. A number of the friends of the passengers were aboard to see them off, and the shipping company was represented by the manager, Mr Selwyn Smith, Messrs J. L. Coster, Revans, and Gould. Owing to the effects of the tidal ware there was a sudden reflux of the water, which for a few minutes prevented the ship from getting out, but the water soon flowed in again, and hi a short time the Titan had her in the channel, and about 3.30 p.m. the vessel was clear of all obstacles and going merrily down the harbor. The steam launch Lyttelton was in attendance, and when the ship had arrived off Camp Bay goodbye was said to Captain McEelvic, his officers, and the passengers, and a start made for Lyttelton. Before Anally departing, however, the launch steamed round the ship, to give a farewell cheer, which was most heartily responded to. The ship reached the heads about 5.30 p.m., the wind, which had been rising all the afternoon, now blew half a gale, it was what is known as a “black north-easter,” but was very shifty, varying from north to north-cast. As the vessel proceeded farther from the heads the wind increased till it blew a gale, and a nasty easterly sea got up. At 8.30 p.m. the ship being about four miles outside, the night dark as pitch, and no sign of the weather moderating, the Titan being unable to make headway against it, Pilot Reid, who was in charge, determined to run the vessel back into harbor, and anchor for the night. The tow lino was therefore cast off, and at 9.30 p.m. the ship dropped anchor just inside the heads. The sea was so heavy that those bound for Lyttelton were obliged to remain aboard the vessel during the night, and the bow of the pilot boat was stove in. Yesterday morning the wind fell, and at 10 a.m. changed to sou’-west. At 11 a.m. the ship got under weigh, and favored by the failwind was well off the land at 1 p.m., and out of sight by dark. The Opawa was in fair trim, though she had a slight list to starboard. She is a strong ship, and should she be favored with plenty of wind will probably make a line run home.