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Grey River Argus, Volume XII, Issue 1239, 19 July 1872, Page 2

The steamer Albion sailed from Nelsonyesterday morning for Greymouth. and Hokitika, and was due off this port last night. In anticipation of her arrival the Dispatch proceeded to the roadstead at eight o'clock last evening, intending to remain there for the purpose of tendering her, and. of thereby promoting her early dispatch for Hokitika and Melbourne. „,.'" The p 8 Charles Edward is expected to arrive to-day from Westport. She will take in the Hokitika cargo of the Wallace, which vessel will then proceed northward. The brig Our Hope seems to have again got into trouble at Oamaru. A telegram of yes* terday states that the brig parted her cable, and drove in abreast of the Gap. She cannot work oat to sea now, being too close in shore, and it is doubtful if she will be able to ride out the gale with only one anchor. She has the Waitaki bridge girders aboard. Apprehensions are entertained for the safety of tho Dauntless, which sailed from Tauranga for Auckland and, has not since beenhe*rdof. At Wanganui, Mr G, H. Vennell Bold the ■wreck of the schooner Kate to Mr A. Mason, for the sum of L6O. The Ballina correspondent of the Richmond River Express states that the following was related to him by an eye-witness of what occurred: —A passenger of the name of M'Kenna, on the last trip of the barque-Atlantic, a vessel trading to the Brnnawick, on arriving opposite'that river was desirous of getting on shore, and it being impracticable from the heavy swell on the oar to land him, he desired the captain to send his boat to the edge of the break and he would swim to it. His request was complied with, the boat was in readiness, and passenger and crew proceeded to the desired spot, about half-a-mile from the shore. M 'Kenna, rigged out in two suits of clothes, hat and boots, immediately made a plunge into the ocean, and after buffeting with the waves for about two hours reached the shore and walked to » house at the entrance of the river—more unconcerned than many would on entering the river in a comfortable cabin. Captain Inglis, of the barque Kaffirland, which arrived lately at Glasgow from Pensacola, with a cargo of timber, reports that on the 13th March, while in latitude 35*36 N., longitude 64-46 W., sighted the barque Andaman, of Rath, U.S., flying signals of distress. The Kaffirland at once bore down on the vessel, when it was ascertainedAhat besides being dismasted, she was in a sinking condition, and that the crew wished to leave her. A strong gale ot the time was blowing from tho north-west and a heavy sea was running. Under these circumstances it was found impossible to send a boat to the assistance of the crew of the Andaman, who were observed clinging to the weather bulwarks of their vesaeE Shortly afterwards the ill-fated barque went down with all bands. The crew, who were seen clinging to the vessel, numbered six men and a boy. Those on board the Kaffirland observed a raft alongside the Andaman, which had apparently been constructed by the crew. The Kaffirland, , after the barque foundered, ■atled.over the locality, but no trace of any of the crew or wreckage could be seen. .. The W. S. Munday has been taken on Mesab Grubb and Allen's slip at Lyttelton. The brigantine Isabella has been taken up on Sinclair's slip, Dampier's Bay, to ascertain the extent of damage sustained by drifting on the Brothers during the late passage from Hokitika. Of the several vessels which have lately been added to the mercantile marine of this colony, the Hokitika, which arrived in port on Saturday, is one of the handsomest. She is a smart little iron clipper, barque-rigged, and was built to the order of her owners, Messrs Spence Brothers and Co, of this city, by Hall and Co, the well-known builders in Aberdeen. The barque is a sweet little model, with a sharp clipper entrance,, and has a fine clean ran, and is of the following dimensions : —Length over all, 160 f t; between perpendiculars, 133 f t; beam, 25ft; depth of hold, 12ft Gin. She is constructed of iron, and hns iron lower masts, which appear somewhat heavy for her size, and carries double-topsail yards. The best materials available have been used in" her construction, and she is well finished in allTespecta, her cabin, which is a compact and well appointed apartment, being beautifully fitted up with polished maple, and. capable of accommodating a dozen passengers. The Hokitika is intended, for trading between this port and India, China, or Mauritius, and for these trades .she is admirably adapted, seeing she can carry 450 tons dead weight on a light draught of water, and go up the Yarraat any time. The barque is registered in the highest class, and i* is to be hoped that she will have tr long and prosperous career before her. The Hokitika left London for Natal in charge of Captain Adam Hoffman, who is an old traderi to these waters, and well known in this port, and he speaks highly of her performance on the voyage. After discharging cargo and loading some 311 tons of sugar and a quantity ofrum, the Hokitika left for Melbourne on the 27th ultimo, and notwithstanding the weather met with has made a very good passage. Captain Hoffman is quite satisfied with her weatherly qualities, which were well tested between London and Natal, and from Natal here. —-Argus.