ARRIVAL OF THE S.S. TARANAKI AF WELLINGTON.

Hawke's Bay Times, Volume 14, Issue 724, 7 October 1869, Page 2

ARRIVAL OF THE S.S. TARANAKI AF WELLINGTON.

(Evening Tost, 2nd October.) The wharf presented a most animated appearance last night, the largest crowd that has been seen for some time in Wellington having collected to witness the long-sub-merged Taranaki, which vessel came round Jerningham Point, about half-past 4, in row of the Lady Bird. Bunting waa streaming cut gaily from the various vessels in harbor and the scores along the beach ; the Halcione displayed the signal "Success," and the flagstaff at the end of the wharf 'Congratulate." Altogether, it seemed a regular gala day in the Empire City. When the Lady Bird got close to, the whaf, the Taranaki was dropped, and was shortly afterwards warped up to thewharf, where she was received with three hearty cheers. A pet feet rush was made, to get on board, which increased to such, an extent that she was obliged to be hauled off to an anchorage. The satisfaction, seemed universal to see the Taranaki—after ljing more than a year beneath tha waters of Bowden's Bay, and long regarded as a thing of the past —once more in Wellington Harbor. The passage across the Straits was remarkably quick. She left Queen Charlotte's Sound yesterday morn* ing, at 9 ».m , towed by the Wanganui aid the Lady Bird. When about an hour out the Wanganui's hawser parted, and caused about an hour's delay in making fast, When abreast Pet canow Lighthouse the Wanganui cast off and proceeded to Wanganui. The Taranaki certainly presents a rusty and weather-beaten appearance, bearing evident marks of the hardships she has undergone, but a closer* inspection shows that she is in far better condition than might have been expected. Her lower musts and bowsprit are standings and seem to be sound All her top-idea are covered with barnacles, but her bottom, which had be«n coated with Peacock's patent paint, is quite free from them. Htrmaehinery is uninjured, including the ? team winch, which has been used for coaling, and the donkey engine for pump* ing the vessel during her passage acro„ss the Straits. One side of the boiler has been somewhat damaged by the rush of; cold water coming in when tiie vessel sank, causing a condensation Jof steam, but it can be repaired without moving it from ita place. '1 he vessel went down stern foremost, and seems to have ploughed along the steep bank as she went, covering her stem with a large pile of mud, and break-, ing away the stern railing. The portion of the deck underneath this mud is sound, the rest is much decayed. The cargo, seems to be in wonderfully good and will bo discharged on Monday, alter which the vessel will bo open to the pnblic. The raising of the Taranaki is a matter of which both the Wreck Recovery Coin* pany and the Colony may well be proud. It has been accomplished under very great difficulties. I he vessel was submerged nearly 18 fathoms and, was at the bottom of an, almost precipitous bank ; she had been, down ten nonths when operations corn-j menccd ; the rise and fall of the tide was only ti irty inches, and yet the difficulties have been met and overcome by skill and perseverance. The time occupied in rata* ing her has been three months and two, | da\s up to yesterday. The mechanical apvj pliances are second to none that have everj been used for similar purposes in ary P ar »| of the world, and will, no doubt, form models for in future. Their invention (for it amounts to that) reflecta the utmost credit on the spirited promoters of this now successful enterprise. It is im, j possible as yet to estimate what the ret pairs will cost, but there is every reason w*j oelieve that, a fair margin of piofit will Ml left for the shareholders. , M Messrs Charles Seager and E. Thiikeffl have had the principal direction of «k|l operations and the construction of the araj pliances,