NARROW ESCAPE OF THE S S. TARARUA FROM SHIPWRECK.

West Coast Times, Issue 88, 28 December 1865, Page 2

NARROW ESCAPE OF THE S S. TARARUA FROM SHIPWRECK.

The Panama Company's s.s. Tarawa arrived at Nelson on Wednesday tho 20th inst., from Sydney, having left that port at noon on Friday, Dec. 15. She experienced very oloudy weather with strong easterly gales nnd a heavy sea from the morning after sho left Sydney until her arrival here, This prevented tho taking of any observations, and in consequence the vessel was rathor out of her reckoning. At 2.15 a.m. on Wednesday morning, while at the timo going about eight knots an hour, the Tararua grounded on a sandy bottom at Cape Farewell ; and so dense wero the mists, that tho land could scarcely be seen at a distanco of 30 yards. The first indications of land observed was tho broken water near to tho bow, and immediately tho engines were at full speed astern, which considerably stopped the vessel's way, so that when she did touch the sand, it was very lightly, and none on board experienced anything liko a bhock on taking the ground. The vessel was lightened by throwing overboard all tho deck cargo. Tho boats were placed in readiness, and provision? wer« afc hand for any emergencies ; and preparations'''^ero rilade for running out an anchor astern. The sea.at the timo was very smooth, there being but little break on tho beach, and aa tho tide waa/ising, she got afloat again about an hour after striking, and arrived safoly at Nelson at 5 p.m. the Tsam'e evening, the vessel seemingly having sustained no damage whatever. She was, however, in a very oritieal position, as the sea roso with the rising tide, and had sho remained much longer on the beach, the mirf

would, in all probability, liavo thrown her broadside on to tho beach, and rendered her a total wreck. We hope tho warning thus given will bo at once taken, and measures adopted to prevent the recurrence of a like misfortune. Had a light such as wo referred' to in our last been in existence on Capo Farewell, tho Tararua would have seen it in timo to have avoided grounding. _ Tho Tararua will be placed on tho bank opposite the old powder mngozino, find her hull will bo thoroughly examined by Captain Johnson previous to her departure for tho South, which takes place shortly.— Nelson Colonist.

Ligiitiiousb on Farkweli, Sandspit.—Shippers and shipmasters will be glad to learn that tho attention of the General Government has been at last directed to the necessity of erecting a lighthouse on Capo Farewell. Tho Inspector of Lighthouses has gono down in one of our local steamers, supplied with a whalo boat, tools, and other necessaries, by the Provincial Government, in order to make au examination of the Sandspit, test tho foundations, and ascertain the precise spot at which a lighthouse should be erected . The long sandspit that runs out from tho high land at Cape Farewell to a distanco of some twelve or fifteen miles, may possibly require, if it can bo accomplished, tho establishment of a lightship in preference to a lighthouse, which if placed on Cape Farewell, so far distant from the seaward end of the spit, might bo productive of disaster. These points will form tho subject of consideration, nnd meanwhile, with the vast traffic from all parts of tho Australian Colonies which takes place in tho wators around Capo Farewell, it is matter for congratulation that the quostion of a light on that promontory is now receiving the attention of the Government.— Colonist. The s.s. Barwon arrived at Sydney from Nelson and Hokitika on tho sth ; nnd was to leave Melbourne again for Hokitika aud Nelson on the 20th. — Nelson Colonist. Tho s.s. Gothenburg, from Hokitika, arrived at Melbourno, after having sustained a loss of bowsprit and bulwarks, during very heavy weathor. — Ibid. Theß.s. Omeo left Newcastle, on November 30, "for Guam," with 800 tons coals. It is suppogeJ she will proceed to one of tho Chilian ports for a cargo of wheat. — Ibid, The schooner Murray, from tho Grey River, arrived at Sydney on December 7, after a passago of nine days. She was to leave for tho Grey direct on the 20th.— Ibid. The ship Strathallan passed Otago Heads on Sunday evening, December 10. She is from London bound to Napier. — Ibid. The s s. Claud Hamilton is laid on at Sydnoy for Hokitika and Nelson, — Ibid, Wkeok,— Captain Low reports having seen part of a vessel, about 40 tons, off Manawatu, Wellington. Her top timbers were about 4£ square. Part of tho planking was gono, aud part was on the timbers. Nearly one side of the vessel was jtcrleet.— Wellington Independent.