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Grey River Argus, Volume X, Issue 868, 9 May 1871, Page 2

The p. s. Charles Edward is expected tc-day, or early to-morrow, as she is announced to leave this port to-morrow for Westport and Nelson. The s.s. Waipara makes a run up from Hokitika with the Greymouth portion of the Alhambra's Melbourne cargo, and after coaling, will leave to-day on one of her subsidised trips to Martin's Bay, calling at intermediate ports. The brig Magnet landed a large quantity of her cargo yesterday, and it will most probably be all out to-day. She is announced to leave the wharf to-morrow at 2 p.m. for Melbourne direct, and as she has good accommodation for passengers, she generally leaves this port with a full complimeut. The s s. Omeo from Melbourne, via Coast ports, arrived in the roadstead during Sunday night, and was tendered by the p.s Dispatch, which was out in the roadstead waiting for her. Her cargo was transhipped and brought ashore on Monday morning's tide. Another trip was then made to the roadstead by the tug, which put on board the Omeo fifteen passengers for Melbourne, and brought ashore ten. The Omeo left at 11 a.m for Hokitika. The following particulars of the recenb boat accideut at Wellington are given by the Advertiser : — We regret to have to chronicle a most distressing accident which happened yesterday in our harbor, aud which resulted in the loss of two lives. Between one and t\vo o'clock the Virago's whale-boat was coming ashore under sail, having on board Dr Crosbie (who being senior officer was in charge), Mr Forster, Mr Maxwell, six men, and n boy, a man named Wlutenead being coxswain. AVhen within about two hundred yards from the wharf a sudden squall struck the boat and she was turned completely over. Some of the passengers clung ou the boat and oars ; Dr Crosbie and Mr Forster struck out for the wharf, but heavy boots and an Inverness cape buttoned on wera too much for the latter, and had not Dr Crosbie pushed him an oar he must have sunk. As ifc was, one of the poor fellows who were drowned caught him by the legs aud pulled him under, causing him to lose the oar. After a severe struggle under the water he succeeded in releasing himself, and reached the surface totally exhausted, and only just in time to be picked up by a boat. The accident was fortunately seen from the wharf, and several boats put off with considerable alacrity. The first to reach the spot was, we believe, one from the Crest of the Wave with four men iv her. Boats from the England, Wellington, and other vessels i aleo hurried to the scene to render assistance in picking up the men. Of the passengers and crew in the Virago's whale-boat all were brought safely ashore except two, namely, a boy Smith, who recently exchanged into the vessel from H.M.S. Clio, and Taylor, warrant officers' steward, who joined the Viraso a few months ago in Auckland. These two were drowned, poor Taylor's last wo r ds before he sank being, "Oh ! my God, save me " Of the rescued men all fortunately were unhurt, except Mr Foster, who narrowly escaped with his life, and who was brought ashore and taken to the Pier Hotel, where every attention was paid to him. Up to the time of our going to press the bodies of the two poor fellows who were drowned had not been recovered, although search parties had been out dragging and searching for them. We need scarcely say that this calamity has thrown a gloom over the city, and has been, if possible, the more regretted, having occurred so immediately prior to the departure of the Virago, probably for ever, from our shores.