THE L.H.B. LYTTELTON.

Globe, Volume XXIV, Issue 2570, 3 July 1882, Page 3

THE L.H.B. LYTTELTON.

The following report of tho trip of the Lyttelton Harbor Board’s steam tug Lyttelton to Timaru, her successful work performed there in towing off tho City of berth, and her subsequent removal of that vessel to Port Chalmers, was courteously suppled by her mister, Captain Clark, noon tbe steamer's arrival here yesterday morning:—The Lyttelton Itft Lyttelton at 10 -18 p ra. on June 13th, and from pasting nkaroa Heads to Timaru, where she arrived at 1.15 pm. next day, the voyage was rraVe through vary heavy fogs. Half-(in hour after reaching Tim >ru tho strainer backed down on tho City of Perth and sounded round tbs bows of her, tho depth of water found being 17ft; and at 3 p m. tho steamer moored at the wharf, from which she had to move at 8 50 a m. next day to tho sea anchorage, owing to the heaviness of the sea increasing Made an attempt to work at tho ship on the Friday at 8 a.m., hut had to abandon it. At 2pm. on Saturday made an attempt to recover one of the ship’s anchors and cables, but there was too much sea on, and after working a couple of hours, that had to be abandoned. On the day after (Sunday) towed the Kliza Firth to sea, and took out the barque Sunbeam to tho sea anchorage. Tho same afternoon moored fast to the City of Perth with 240 fathoms of towing hawser. At 3 a.m. on Monday commenced towing at the ship. Tho soa was “ clock calm.” 2ho pomps wero kept going on board tho ship steadily, and the tug kept at her until 7 a.m., when ib was found she was lifting. Pumping continued without intermission, and at 1 p ra. tho tug made another effort to pnll her off. At four o’clock in the afternoon the ship came off tho beach, and an honr and three quarters later sho was anchored with coir cable and small anchor in tbe roadstead. Tho tng still kept fast to her, however, and next day (Tuesday) a proper anchor was put oa board. After coaling, ihe Lyttelton, an Wednesday, at 4 p m , left with the ship for Port Cha mors. At 4 a.m. on Thursday a hard breeze from the southward sprang up, and kept increasing in force. Kverything wont safely, however, and when off Moeraki at 9.30 a.m., the pi, Kopatai from Dunedin hove in sight, having been sent out to meet them. At 4 pm. on Thursday tho City of Perth crossed tho bar, and an hour later was lying at anchor in port. The ship was put into dock on Saturday last, but as the water around her had not been pumped out until night, the state of her hull had not been ascertained when the Lyttelton left. Very great credit is dne to Captain Clark for bis management of tho operations for floating tbe ship at Timaru. While at Port Chalmers tho Lyttelton was docked. Her engines were overhauled, and tho hull of tho eteamor scraped and painted with a patent red paint or enamel, tho same as is now used by tho Union Steamsh p Company. The steamer loft for Lyttelton at 3.20 p.m on Saturday, and arrived hore at 10 30 a.m. yesterday.