PORT OF HOKITIKA. GREY RIVER.

West Coast Times, Issue 277, 13 August 1866, Page 4

PORT OF HOKITIKA.

GREY RIVER.

High Wateb - This Day.— 11.24 a.m. ; 11.59 p.m. abbived. August 11. — Keera, s.s;, Joyce, from Dunedin Tia Nelson. Carey and Gilles, agents. August 12. — Gothenburg, s.s., Mackie, from Nelson. Royse, Mudie, and Co., agents. SAILED. August 12. — Thane, s.s., Francis, for Grey and Nelson. IN THE BOADSTEAD. Excelsior, schooner, from Auckland. Gothenburg, b.s., from Nelson. ENTEBED IN. Flying Squirrel, 19 tons, J. Nelson, from Nelson. Keera, 145 tons, D. Joyce, from Dunedin. Passengers — Cabin : Mrs Hurtot, Mrs Butler and 4 children, Mrs Adams, Miss Baldwin, Misses Clarke (3), Messrs Harvey, Scogland, and 30 in the steerage. CLEARED OUT. John and Jane, 30 tons, S. Brown, for Melbourne, in ballast. Challenge, 77 tons, G. Wilson, for Greymouth, in ballast. EXPECTED ABBIVALB. Charlotte, schooner, from Lyttelton, 11th inst. Dunedin, from Dunediu, early. Katheraw, from Melbourne, early. Francis, schooner, from Heathcote, early. Maid of Erin, from Melbourne, early. Sea Bird, from Newcastle, N.S.W., early. Albert, schooner, from Melbourne, early. Rambler, schooner, from Melbourne, early. Alma, barque, from Melbourne, early. Hector, brigantiue, from Melbourne, early. Jane Lockhart, from Sydney, 11th inst. Susanah Booth, from Sydney, early. Elizabeth, cutter, from Sydney, early. PROJECTED DEPAETUBE3. Gothenburg, for Melbourne, 14th inst. Emma Jane, for Okarita, to-day. Keera, s.s., for Greymouth, to-day. John Mitchell, for Greymouth, to-day. VESSELS IN POET. Brig — Clarendon . Schooners — Tambo, Emma Jane, Falcon, Prince Consort, John and Jane, lona. Ketch — Cymraes, John Mitchell, Jane Elkin, Flying Squirrel. Cutter— Sea Shell. Steamers — Persevere, Lioness, Challenge, Keera. ASHOBE. Schooner Bonnie Lass. IMPOSTS. Per Flying Squirrel, from Nelson — 20 sacks potatos, 280 bags potatos, Bain, Houghton, and Co. Per Keera, from Dunedin — 48 cases whisky, 75 cases T>randy, M'Landress and Co ; 5 hhds beer, order ; 1 case guns, l.case gunpowder, Forsyth and Masters ; 1 lamp, 7 pkgs, Alex. Mcc ; 9 bags carrots, 120 bags oats, Carey and Gilles ; 1 case drapery, Thorn and Bullen ; 2 cases furniture, Stanford and Co ; 1 cask putty, 1 bale paper, J. Ken* and Co ; 1 bale leather, order 5 10 cases glass, 3 drums, J. Holmes ; 1 case paperhaugings, 1 bale calico, 10 drums oil, 1 case benzole, 1 case varnish, 2 tins varnish, 1 case glass, J. C Millard ; 4 pkgs, Clapcott ;" 25 cases kerosene, order ; 1 bale drapery, E. Reeves and Co t 2 boxes luggage, G. Adams ; 1 case, *1 pkg printing materials, Harnett and Co ; 1 parcel, Bank of New Zealand ; 3 cases, Mace and Dixon ; 2; cases drugs, Williams ; 6 pkgs, Miss Nicoll ; 3 boxes, Misses Scott ; 2S pkgs, Sirs Malhoney; 1 case, order ; 8 pkgs paint, J. Keir and Co ; 1 bale drapery, Graves and Co ; 7 boxes, 2 parcels, J. J. Bartlett ; 3 cases, 1 bale drapery, S. W. Alcorn ; 1 case, 1 bale, D. Davidson ; 2 pkgs drapery, order. We see by the "Lyttelton Times" that the schooner Spray, which left this port on the 2nd instant, arrived at lyttelton on the 7th. The Keera, s.s., left Dunedin at 10.50 a.m. on the 7th instant with N.E. winds, fine weather, and smooth water ; but when abreast of Stevens' Island she was met by a very heavy N.W. swell, which continued during her passage through the Straits. Cape Farewell was rounded at midnight on the 9th ; the Steeples passed at 4 p.m. on the 10th, and the anchor let go in Hokitika roads six hours later. The next morning at high water the Keera took the bar, although a very heavy freshet was pouring through the channel at the rate of eight or nine knots an hour. Some difficulty was experienced in keeping her end on, as the current caught her on either bow, and when just ia the narrowest part between the spits a strong sheer to port put her on the end of the North Spit. Fortunately a stiff westerly breeze was blowing, which proved of infinite service, for, as soon as it was found she was hanging, the canva3 was promptly set, a^nd under this increased pressure the Keera, after a heavy roll or two, surged off the bank into deep water, gathered way, almost immediately, and without further hindrance reached the wharf. The Keei-a, through thus taking the ground, was placed in a somewhat ticklish position, and to the smart manner in which she was handled by ' Captain Joyce may be attributed her release from it. Every precaution was taken 011o 11 shore to ensure her safe arrival when it was perceived that she was determined to run in, the beacons being placed so as to bring her well to the northward, au allowance being .necessary to counteract the effect of a strong set to the southward. The Harbor Master, in hi 3 boat, was also in attendance in the river between the spits. On her passage, when off the Peninsula, on the Bth instant, the Keera spoke the brig Daniel Webster, from Hobart Town bound to Lyttelton, and later in the day the s.s. Wni. Miskin, hence to Dunedin. She also sighted a large steamer in Blind Bay, supposed to be either the Albion or Rangitoto. The Keera brings a full miscellaneous cargo for this port and Greymouth, and 41 passengers. She sails again for Greymouth this day, weather permitting. Yesterday morning the 8.8. Thane left for Nelson, and although the river was at high flood she cleared the bar in good style, but not without shipping orr* or two breakers, which must have delugi >er fore and aft. When clear of the broken i.ater she set her fore and aft canvas, and when wo last saw her •was close-hauled, standing along the land to the northward. Shortly before noon the Gothenburg, from Nelson, hove in sight, and steamed slowly into the roadstead. To communicate with her, save by signal, was out of the question, and on being informed that the harbor boats would not leave the river, she turned tail to the land and was soon out of sight in the heavy mist which hung around the horizon. The schooner Excelsior also rounded to off the port, and after dodging about under canvas for an hour or two, came to an anchor some distance in the offing. At Bttn-set last night she was alone visable, as the Q-uthenburg had not run in again. The first of a series of floods which are likely to extend over the next month or two, is now- pouring through the river channel, and although it has effectually cleared the bar, and given the port a wide and deep entrance, the outflow between the spits is so rapid that no steamer could face it with any degres of safety to herself. The port, therefore, is virtually locked to incomers, and will most likely remttia so fur twenty-four hours

longer ; for, oven should the weather clear up, some time must elapso ere the river can drain off the immenso volume of water deposited by | the late deluge in the back countr-, . A ' the | same time, although the rain has been exceedingly heavy, the flood is not so high as we ; expected it would have been, for although at high water yesterday the river covered the low flats on the 'south side, thus presenting an' almost unbroken sheet of water to the eye, at, low tide it was again confined in its ordinal y channel. The current, however, wis exceedingly rapid, and the heavy ileel of'vcssels laying at the wharf used extra precaution 5 ! io secure themsalvos. Double moorings ua'u iiui out, and anchors cockbilled, in the event" of a break away, The different steamers banked, up their fire 3, and made all ready for getting st<*am up on the shortest notice ; and watches were told oS" for night duty ; for, as the day closed in, the river gave unmistakeable signs of a further rise, and it was feared that two large snags lying in its bed, about half a mile above the shipping, might possibly como clown and foul the tier. One of them is an enormous tree which, in a former issue, we alluded to as having been buoyed with water casks, to facilitate its removal. Apparently it is imbedded in the sand, for, although surrounded by twelve casks, it remains in the same position. We hope that when this monster does break away there will be fewer vessels at the wharf than there are at present, for, though the sweep in the river which sets the main stream close 6rer against them, snags of that size could hardly fail in striking the outsider, anil perhaps sweep away half the tier, as the weight would snap moorings like packthread. There -was every indication last night of a continuation of bad weather, as the sky was heavily overcast and barometers read very low indeed. The Keera'B glass sto<>d at 29*2, that on board the Lioness at 2897, whilst those at the Observatory shewed a mean height of 2940. We fear there is little hope of a change until the moon quarters. We regret to state that the schooner Bonnie Lass still remains aground on the south spit, the attempts made to move her having failed. On Friday her agent, Mr Fisher, proceeded to the spit with a gang of men, and by evening the whole of her cargo was landed in good condition, and the next day transhipped on board the Tambo, which was taken down to the lagoon to receive it. The Bonnie Lass has received no damage from her late rough usage, but will have to make the overland passage ere she is again afloat. The Vivid, schooner. Captain Snhon, left Wairoa for Napier on the 11th instant, with the wind from the south-wesf. On the 12th, was about four miles from Ahuriri Bluff, when she was suddenly taken aback by a heavy squall ; close-reefed the vessel and stood away to the southward. On the 13th, the gale increasing, and a tremendous sea running at the times, bore away for Wongawehi. While running for shelter, a heavy sea broke on board, which carried away six stanchions on the starboard side, and part of the water ways, the vessel luboring heavily and shipping large quantities of water. At 11 p.m., came to anchor in Wongawehi. On the 14th, the wind was fresh from S.E., with heavy showers of rain. On the 15th, it shifted to E.N.E., with strong sea setting in, and weighed anchor to beat out of the Bay. At 3 p.m., about two miles off Table Cape, and just in the act of squaring away, Mr Walker, who was a passenger on board, saw water in the cabin deck, and immediately informed Captain Schon of the fact, who. on seeing the quantity of water in the vessel, put her before the wind for the purpose of beaching her. At 4 p.m., she was found to be filling fast and quite unmanageable. All efforts to keep her afloat being fruitless, the crew took to the boat, leaving all canvas set that the vessel might have some chance to drift on shore, and with great difflouHy succeeded in landing at Wongawehi, at 5 p.m. On the 16th the weather was very inclement, and nothing was seen of the illfated craft ; but on the 17th, she was found on the beach in pieces, the sails and rigging all in tatters. The natives are reported to have laid claim to the wreck, as well as to the clothes of the crew, on the ground of the vessel having been abandoned at sea. Captain Selion is said to have been obliged to purchase of them his own wearing apparel. The Vivid was the property of Messrs Watt Brothers, and was insured for L 250 Her cargo consisted of 500 bushels maize, some tallow, &c, which we understand to have been shipped on native account, and uninsured. — " Hawke's Bay Herald," July 28. The "Hawke's Bay Times " of July 30, says : — " By the arrival of the Eagle, from Auckland, via Long Point, we'have the following particulars of the loss of the ketch Eambler : — The Greenwich, cutter, Warnes, master, left Napier on the 12th inst., with a general cargo for the Wairoa. Experienced variable weather until 5 p.m. the same day, when the wind freshened from S.E., and blew with great fury. On the 13th, gale increasing, and sea running mountains high, ran for shelter under Long Point, vessel shipping large quantities of water, and filling the after - part of the vessel at times. Came to an anchor under the Point at 1 p.m. On the 17th, weighed anchor, and stood for the Wairoa ; weather v»i'iable ; noon, thick and rainy weather set in, impossible to see any land. Stood away to the southward until 6 p.m., when it fell calm. Close-reefed the mainsail ; very threatening weather. On the 18th, dirty weather and strong breezes from S.E. Bore away second time for Long Point, and with difficulty reached the anchorage. The Greenwich, cutter, was still riding under long. Point when the Eagle left on the 24th. The ill-fated Eambler, Bennet, was last seen from the G-reenwich, cutter, on the 12th inst., at a distance of about six. miles astern of her. The vessel, in all probability, foundered during the night, as the gale was very severe, and a tremendous sea running at the time. The boom and- gal picked up is, without doubt, the boom and gaff of the, Eambler; the pump and deck plank is here also, and the whole, from the description, has been identified by Symes, Bennet's late partner. The crew of the Eambler consisted of Bennet, a young man named Trask, and a boy named Butler, all of whom, it is feared, have met with a watery grave. The other wreck found in the passage between Portland Island and the mainland has not yet been identified. The cattle found on the beach may be cattle thrown overboard from some cattle vessel passing the island. We are happy to say that the cattle vessels that left Napier have all reached their destination safely, although doubts were entertained concerning the safety of some of them, particularly as the gale was severe at the time of their departure." Post of Invebcargili!. — Mr J. B. G-reig, harbor master, has published the subjoined " Notice to masters of vessels frequenting the port of InvercarguT I:—"The1 :— "The following directions will lead masters of coasters, inwards, over the bar in smoother water than by the course used for some time back. Bring the high leading beacon to appear opsn to the southward of the low beacon (which will lead a little inshore of the line of beacon-*), and continue on fchi3 course ustil nearly up to the low or outer beacon. The shore is bold at this part, and the beacon may be neared to within twenty fathoms in passing. Off this beacon is moored a white buoy, which mv% be kept on the starboard side, and from the white buoy steer for the green buoy, moored off the wreck of the Oscar. Keep on | the seaward side of the Oscar wreck buoy, and when past it the water will suddenly deepen, In approaching the wreck

buoy, duo allowance must lw made for the sofc i of the tide, particularly in light winds; as tho flood would sot the vessel towards the wrock, The two channel buoys, moored in Hip Mind channelin four fatlums — which will iheu b,,a short distance ahead, may bo passed on either side. These buoys were formerly painted white, but tho best water being now on the south-cast or inshore side of them, they have been painted black, and are therefore intended to be kept on tho port hnnd coming in. The shallowest water to bo found, on any part of tho route described is between he white buoy off the beacon and tlo Oscar wreck buoy, The depth there is eight 1- t :i( low water, but tho depth is gradually increasing. From the upper blind channel buoy tho j usual course up the harbor may be pursued." Tho clipper barque, Jeanuie Oswald, Oaptain Devine, from Sourabaya, brings a cargo of rice and sugar, consigned to Young and Martin, agents and owners of tho vessel. With the exception of a heavy south-westerly galo on tho 22nd hist,, during which, the barque lay-to for twenty-four hours, the weather throughout the passage was very favorable. With regard to the loss of v the barque Poslboj, in August last, on the cast end Jof Sandalwood Island, Captain Devine states that, although the vessel became a total wreck, Captain Gascoyne and his wife, with the whole of the crew, were saved. A portion of her cargo, which consisted of copper, was also brought on shore, but the thieving proclivities of the natives -were suon that they plundered the survivors of almost everything they had ; and one desperate savage nearly cut or bit off Mrs Gascoyno's finger in trying to steal her ring. After being four months on on the island, they were taken of by a vessel and landed at Sourabaya. Mrs Q-ascoyno sailed in January last, from Java, in the barque Postilion, for Melbourne, but as that vessel has never bpen heard of since, it is feared that she too, like the Postboy, has been lost. — " Argus," July 30th. The recent passages across the channel of the Walter S. Winans, a small yacht belonging to the Messrs Winans, and of similar construction to the now famous cigar steamer Boss Winans, possesses much interest to the public who have watched the completion of the larger vessel, and speculated so much as to her performance at sea. The steamer in question is 71 feet in length, with a, diameter of 9 feet, and is of 24 tons register. It is propelled by a high pressure engine of 25horso power, driving a submerged tlireebladed propeller aft, of 4 feet 10 inches diameter. It has been constructed so as to secure, according to the French law, the various patents' of its owners, and was consequently arranged to admit of several other means of propulsion ; but that with which we have to do is the one we have just stated. An enclosed deck, 26 feet in length, covers the centre of the upper part of the hull, on which open the companion-ways leading to the fore and after ealoous and the engine room. A jib-boom and two masts, which serve to spread a considerable amount of canvas, also deserves notice. > Many of the novelties, other than in external design, which distinguished the Ross Winans, are repeated in the smaller vessel. The same ingenuity in adapting to her peculiar form the means of propulsion, tha purpose of safety, and of 'comfortable accommodation, is visible as in the larger vessel. The Walter S. Winans started from Havre for Newhaven at half past five a.m., on the morning of March 28. The wind was blowing stiffly from the N.W., and a heavy sea was running. The yacht had on board a full supply of coal, and 1 was immersed a few inches below her centre. The engines worked smoothly and well, and she rode the heavy seas with ease and entire freedom from rolling. Rising slightly to the large waves, she pierced their crests, which,, dissolving, glided over the upper surface of her bow, and as far aft as the forward end of the deck ; the main body of the waves passed gently along her sides, rising but little thereon. Not a drop of water ever came upon deck, while vessels of her size in sight were dashing the spray high over their bows. No shock of any kind was felt as she met the heaviest swells ; »on her rounded surface the waves could inflict no blow. The side seas, when her position was changed and she lay in the trough of the sea passed under her without causing any perceptible roll; and this, too, whether she was going ahead or stopped. Early in the afternoon she arrived at Newhaven, without accident of any kind. The next morning, having increased her company by the addition of Mr Thomas Winans and Mr Hainblcton, she made a trip along the coast to Brighton. Returning thence to Newhaven, she started at fifty minutes past 3 p.m., on the 30th, for Gravesend. The sea was calm, and, notwithstanding an hour's delay at Dover, wailing for a pilot, she made the run by half-past 9 a.m. on the 31st. She now lies in the West India Dock 9, alongside the Ross Wiuans, after having so successfully made tho first sea trip of any cigar-shaped steamer in English waters. — " Post."

Htgh Wateb This Day. — 11.9 a.m. ; 11.44 p.m.