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Nelson Evening Mail, Volume IX, Issue 305, 26 December 1874, Page 2

Some curiosity—it would bo too much to say anxiety — has been occasioned in Melbourne, by a sina'l and appa ently unimportant incident of the sea. The Blackwall clipper Essex sailed from Hobson's Bay a few days ago tor Lon'on. Four clipper ships (the Essex included) were towed through the Heads almost simultaneously, and were not many miles apart when they passed Cape Schanck. The Argus, however, remarks : — "Some time after parting from the pilot sebftoner, abe ran op her ensign to the gaff, as if bidding good-bye. Some commotion, however, observe > in the viciuity of the ■hip soon after, snd she roun ted to, as i( to recover something or someone that had gone ovtrboard. The schooner would have run down to her, but the ship made no signal, and after remaining for some time in about the same position, she stood away before the ■wind. When the boat was picked up by the steamer Taraar, there was a shark lift ''long inside of it" It is curious how, iv such a situation, the Essex should have iost a boat; it is carious how she should have ni^ncouvred as she appears to have done; and it is still more carious that when the Tamar picked up the boat there should, have been such a seamonster a passenger in it. Till the Essex reaches London, these mysteries will probably remain unexplained.