Maritime Record.

New Zealander, Volume XVIII, Issue 1718, 27 August 1862, Page 2

Maritime Record.

Presestatiow to Captaim Hellon. —It will be in the recollection of our readers, that in February last, the Ellen Lewis, on her passage from Adelaide to Sydney, encountered a terrific gale, during which, the ship suffered considerable damage, but reached this port in safety, under the able management of Capt. Hellon, her commander, and the underwriters connected with Smyth’s Sydney Marine Office, in which the vessel was insured, anxious to mark their sense of the energy and perseverance with which Captain Hellon had so successfully brought his ship safe to poit under most trying difficulties, determined on presenting him with a substantial testimonial, but hit absence from Sydney prevented their wishes being carried out until yesterday afternoon, when a meeting was convened for the purpose of presenting him with a handsome gold chronometer watch, valued at sixty guineas. Several gentlemen connected with the shipping interests of the port were present. Mr, R, Jones, addressing Capt, Hellon, on behalf of the underwriters, begged to express the pleasure he felt in being deputed to hand over the accompanying mark of their due appreciation of his skill in getting his ship out of difficulties of no ordinary nature; true, all captains should be possessed of ability and forethought when placed in similar positions, but, where more than ordinary courage and ability had been displayed, he considered it was only just that it should be properly recognised, if only as an incentive to others; he had, therefore, much satisfaction in handing him a watch beating the following inscription, and accompanied by a letter from the underwriters: —" Presented to Captain Hellon, of the barque Ellen Lewis, by in Smyth’s Sydney Marine Assurance Office, as a testimonial of their appreciation of his seamanlike conduct in carrying his vessel off alee shore during a severe gale on a voyage from Adelaide to Sydney, February Bth, 18G2.” “ To Captain Stephen Hellon, barque Ellen Lewis.

“ Dear Sir, —I am instructed by the underwriters in the Sydney Marine Assurance Office to express their approbation of your conduct in the management of your vessel during the late severe gale on the Bth February last, while on a voyage from Adelaide to Sydney. “ They further wish to assure you of their being quite satisfied that, in the dangerous position in which your vessel was placed, you acted judiciously in carrying a heavy press of canvas to avoid a lee shore, although by so doing, you ran the risk of damaging the cargo and of straining the vessel. “ I am, dear Sir, yours faithfully, “S. H. Smyth.

"Sydney, 12th March, 1862." Captain Hellon, in reply, apologised for hit utter inability to express in adequate terms the feelings with which he received so unlooked-for a mark of their goodwill. He had done no more than his duty, and could, therefore, take no credit in endeavouring to save life and property; but it had been his maxim throughout his career, and he trusted he should continue to carry out those principles. To Mr. Cuthbert, who had so kindly supplemented their valuable gift with a beautiful geld chain, he also begged to return his heartfelt thankr. At an old servant nf that gentleman, he fully appreciated the kindness with which it had been given ; and he had much pleasure in stating that the Ellen Lewis was as sound and in as good condition as when built, having been thoroughly overhauled by Mr. Cuthbert, under the inspection of Captain Malcolm, marine surveyor.— Sydney Morning Herald, August 8. The Great Britain had arrived at Melbourne on the 16th instant, after a splendid run of 60 days from Liverpool, with 600 passengers, being the largest number of passengers taken out by one vessel. The ship Northumberland had been chartered by the Government to take out emigrants to Sydney.