THE COLONIST.

Colonist, Volume III, Issue 245, 24 February 1860, Page 2

THE COLONIST.

NELSON, FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 24, 1860.

In consequence of our desire to present our readers with the most important items of European news we have availed ourselves of the space usually occupied by our Editorial article. Several communication! will also have to stand over till our next from the same cause. —<$>-<€>- ■ —~ The Prince Alfred Steamer. —This steamer is now discharging her cargo and coals into the Lord Worsley, which vessel will start for Nelson to-day. Upon inquiry we learn that the steamer left Sydney Heads about six p.m. on Saturday, with the wind at south-east,.and a head sea; all went well, with every appearance: of;the weather shifting to the north-east during the night, but towards morning oh the 12th it commenced to freshen up again from the south-east, a heavy sea rising, and by 4 p.m. it was blowing a gale." The horses on deck commenced loosing their footing, and got 'down with the heavy rolling of the ship; a good deal of water getting on board, little or no assistance could be afforded to the animals, and during the night many of them died. Those stowed below also fetched way from their stalls; the fearful rolling of the steamer rendering it totally impossible to secure them. About 1 a.m. on the 13th, the iron cap of the,foremast giving way, the foretopmast and to'pgallantmast, with yards attached, came down with a tremendous crash, and shortly after the mainmast head broke short off about three feet above the hounds, the main topmast and gear; attached, falling on the quarter-deck; fortunately without injuring any one. The wind hauling more to the south-ward, the steamer was hove to, and endeavors made to ciear the decks of the dead cattle, and also to secure the spars that were alongside, but they were ultimately cut adrift, all the live stock on deck being drowned. Only one course was left for Captain Bowden, vi?., to bear up for Sydney. It appears most extraordinary.that none of the crew were hurt from the quantity of wreck that must have been washing about by every sea that broke on board, and she must be a very fine sea-boat to have weathered the gale with so little injury. She lost 53 horses and a number of sheep, and owing to the quantity ol water shipped, the cargo is considerably damaged.-— Sydney Morning Herald, February 16 and 17-