INWARDS.

Southland Times, Volume I, Issue 45, 14 April 1863, Page 2

INWARDS.

Aprils to 13—Nil. OtTWAKDS. April s to m—:\;i. April 11—SS. Gothenburg, 800 tons, Mackic, for Melbourne INWARDS COASTWISE. j April 8 to 10—Nil. April 11—SS. Gothenburg, 800 tons, Mackie, from Otago, with 10 passengers OLTWAUDS COASTWISE. | Aprils to 13—Nil. PROJECTED DEPAHTTJEES. Blue Jacket, for Melbourne, awaiting a fair wind EXPECTED AEEIVALS. S.S. Alharnbra, from Otago, parly on the 14th M.S.S. Aldinga. from Melbourne, with English mails, on or about 14th inst. ¥m. Miskin.from Inveroargill, 15th inst. Sir "William Eyre, from Glasgow, daily. The Alhambra made her last trip from Melbourne to the Biuff in four days twenty-three hours, and had on board twenty saloon and three hundred second-class passengers, and about three hundred tons cargo. Captain McLean reports having had strong westerly breezes daring first two days, then liarht S.W. winds and fine weather until arrival at the Bluff. Caytain Mackie, of the Gothenburg, steamer, says that for the future it is his intention to call at the Bluff regularly, so that the Omeo will be the only outsider ; however, the Omeo will eventually find that the Bluff is at least quite as accessible as Port Chalmers, and furthermore the owners will find it to tlipir interest to encourage passenger traffic from this port, by allowing their steamers to call in regularly. During the last quarter the passenger traffic between this port and Melbourne has increased at least six-fold. At the same time many have left in sailing ves?els rather than trust to the chance of a steamer calling here. The Blue Jacket, which sails to-morrow, takes between twelve and fourteen cabin passengers, all of whom would prefer going by the steamers, in order to shorten the passage. The Geeat Eastern Steameb.—ln describing the character of the damages received by the Great Eastern, and the means which have been employed in repairing her, a 2Tew York paper says: —" Not the slightest injury was sustained by the inner skin, notwithstanding the extraordinary size of the fracture. The iron plates were dented in so much, that, to restore the form of the ship, it became necessary to apply a patch of now plates ninety-three feet long, and varying from sis to ten and a half feet in breadth, the average being nine feet. The caisson used to get at the fracture pid apply the plates was fitted with two shafts or passage ways, which proceed downwards from above the water to the bottom. To remove the water from the interior of t^ecaisnn a centrifugal pump, capable of discharging three thousand gallons of water per minute, was worked by an engine, bolted to the side of the ship, which effected the desired result admirably. One of the greatest difficulties encountered was to make the joint between the gunwale of the caisson and the ehip water tight. This was done by using the pressure of water through a large hose in a groove, arranged in the gunwale of the caisson to pack the joint. The distance of the fracture to the surface of the water was carefully measured by lines, the lower ends of which were carried down by divers in submarine armour, and the longitudinal position of the fracture was obtained by measuring the distances from its ends to a chain passed around the ship opposite one of the transverse bulkheads. In order to get the caisson down to its place it was ballasted with sufficient iron to sink it. It was lowered by chains to a measured distance, equal to the proper distance of its upper gunwale from the water. It was then pulled against the ship to its place by chain?, leading to the opposite side of the ship. When it was in place divers were sent down into it through the passage ways to report its position, so as to insurevthat it covered the fracture. Afterwards heavy hawsers were carried round the caisson and.the ship, to .cramp the former to the

latter. As soon as the caisson was secured and the pump shaft connected the pumping was commenced, then followed the work of adjusting the huge iron plates." An inspection was made a day or two after the repairs were completed by the Presidents of the various Marine Insurance Companies in New York, Lloyds agent, and several eminent surveyors and engineers, who are of opinion that tho ship is in every way seaworthy, and in condition to carry passengers with safety and comfort, and a full cargo of any description, to any part of the world." — Mitchell's Register, January 3. Snip Launches. — On Saturday there was launched from the building yard of Messrs C. Mitchell and Co., at Low "Walker, a large screw steamer for the service of tho Intercolonial Koyal Mail Steampacket Company, and destine 1 to carry the mails between Australia and New ZealandThe vessel is named the Paulet, and is of- the following dimensions :— Length, 228 feet; breadth of beam, 2Sfeot; depth of bold, 16 feet 6 inches. No expense has been spared in fitting up the vessel for the extensive passenger traffic of the colonies. The cabins for the first class passengers are situated in the after part of the vessel, and are most elegantly furnished. The second-class passengers are accommodated in the forward part of the vessel, in a very airy and comfortable cabin. As ventilation is the chief element of comfort in a steamer built to carry passengers, this department of construction has been kept especially in view in the steamer Paulet. She is not oniy provided with numerous and lofty saloon skylights and side ports, but a sep. irate steam engine is to be erected for the purpose of thoroughly ventilating the hold^ cabins, and engine room, and so completely vJ^J the system be carried out that each private cfl^H will be provide! wish a ventilating tube, so t^H each passen ,er will have the opportunity of rc^H lating the draught to suit his individual The machinery for the Peulet is of l^M^^H power, and has been manuf cfcured D yJ^^^^^| Morrison and Co., of Newc stle. AU^^^^^^^| proveuients have been introduced, sumption and economy of fuel have^^^^^^^^H attended to, the engines being furi^^^^^^^^^H face condensers and other fuel savi^^^^^^^^H The Paulet will proceed under steam^^^^^^H — Ibid, January 10. «- . THE INVERCAEGILL AND Strangers travelling to and £^^^^^^^^^H and Bluff il arbour, if on liorsebt^^^^^^^^^H the distance between the abo^^^^^^^^^^^^H may be travelled both with btj^^^^^^^^^^^^M eaving Invercargill at half^^^^^^^^^^^^^H low water. Travellers on f<^^^^^^^^^^^^| i place at first of the ebb, I quarter ebb, bearing in l^^^^^^^^^^^^^^H | S. W. gale will cause a se ]^^^|^^^^^^^^H , but five hoi'. s' ebb, so ttu^^^^^^^^^^^^^^H get under way accordingly^^^^^^^^^^^^^H generally covered by horsi^^^^^^^^^^^^^^| < hours, an on foot in from 4^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^H