SHIPPING INTELLIGENCE.

Tuapeka Times, Volume VII, Issue 367, 24 June 1874, Page 6

SHIPPING INTELLIGENCE.

Quite a chapter of accidents occurred oa board the steamer Tararua while in the Hokitika roadstead, about a fortnight ago. Pre- j vious to tbe steamer Waipara going alongside, ! the crew (says the ' Register ') were engaged heaving up the ancher by means of the patent windlass, which is connected by cog-wheels to the capstan on the forecastle. In consequence of the steamer pitching a good deal in the heavy sea, the capstan pawls became unshipped, and of course the whole of the strain was then thrown on the capstan bars, and the men being unable to resist tue strain, were hove about in all directions, some being seriously injured, and one man was hore overboard, but' was fortunately rescued. Another accident occurred subsequently. It appears that one of the second cabin stewards was proceeding along the deck, and losing his equilibrium through: the rolling of the reseel, he, to save himself from falling, grasped at the steam winch while it was working, and his hand unfortunately came in contact with the cog-wheels, whereby he sustained a severe laceration of the fingers, so severe, indeed, that it is probable amputation of some of them will be found necessary. Through the wreck of the Corsair, No. 1 Pilot Company sustained a loss that was expected to amount to not less than L 5.000. On Thursday last, Pilot Rocket, with one of his . company, waited on the Hon. Mr Cohen, toascertain if any relief could be granted by the. Government. The Minister received the pilots*: with much kindness, and expressed his sympa-^ thy with them in their misfortune, recommits* ing them finally to see tha Chief Secretary. This they did, when Mr Francis told them, in bis bluff, frank style. that no public money would ba voted for such a purpose '; put- - ting hji hand kindly on RocketV shoulder, he' uttered one of his emphatic expletives, and said, " You are worthy of great consideration, and.rather than see you stumped,- I'll see what can be done for you. Come with inc." ,The re-., suit was, an arrangenlent- was concluded with the bank for the purchase of a new .vessel' through Mr Francis 3 intervention, that will save the company a very large sum of money in interest. By this act on the part of the\ Chief Secretary, the pressing anxieties of the members of .the company are entirely removed for tbe present. .-• Geelodg Evening Times.' The San -.FBANoraoo Steam Service.— " Messrs J. Elder and ' Co., the 'celebrated builders, have sent to the Hon. Saul Samuel, the ' Sydney Morning Herald' states, "& very handsomely finished model of the first steamship being constructed by their firm for the- San. Francisco service; A presentation plate attachedto the stand states that she- is 370 ft long by 38ft beam, and- has 31ft .depth -»£ hold; tonnage, ! 2,750 actual; horte-power, r 2,700; speed in knots, 14. The model is of the most; approved modern type, a lean body, a long flat'fl»or,-ter-minating in extremely fine ends, 'offering the ' smallest possible" amount- ■ of ' resistance. The main saloon Lb amidships, forward of the machinery, and i& entereirorom a spacious deck house, apparently constructed so as also to furnish quarters for the officers. The forecastle deck terniin&e's in a high barrier, running from rail to rail, intended to throw off any spray that may fly. over the bows, and thus keep the promenade deck" dry and sheltered. The vessel herself is expected to leave England at the end of thie year. As the Iberia, a sitter ship from the same yard, recently purchased for the direct trade between Liverpool and Melbourne, made sixteen knots on her sea trial trip, there is no reason to doubt that the newer vessel's speed will be equally satisfactory."