THE ACCIDENT TO THE ALHAMBRA.

Westport Times, Volume III, Issue 461, 4 February 1869, Page 2

THE ACCIDENT TO THE ALHAMBRA.

The cause of the non-arrival of the s.s. Alhambra from Melbourne was explained by the arrival of the s.s. Rangitoto with the missing steamei*'s passengers. The following account of the accident to the Alhambra is given by the Art/us: —The Alhambra cleared out from Melbourne on the afternoon of Saturday, the 9th inst. Up till about a quarter to five o'clock on the afternoon of Monday the Alhambra continued to make splendid weather of it, when suddenly, and most unfortunately, her screwshaft broke, somewhere, it is supposed, near the inner sternpost. The Alhambra, at this juncture, was .about 150 miles past Kent's Group, and about 500 miles from Port Philip Heads. Captain M'Lean at once gave orders to have additional sails bent, and the steamer's course was then altered, the wind which had hitherto been favorable to her progress being now against her. Notwithstanding the difficulty to be surmounted of sailing the vessel, deeply laden as she was, and with the additional impediment of her now useless propeller, against contrary weather, Captain M'Lean accepted the exigency of his position, and in spite of all hindrances, baffling winds, and occasional calms included, he succeeded in making the land near Cape Howe on Saturday the 16th inst. When about 10 miles this side of Cape Howe the Alhambra was signalled by the s.s. Dandenong, inward bound, f r Melbourne, and Captain Pain at once bore away for her, and about seven p.m. took her in tow. The Dandenoug and her charge reached the Heads about two o'clock yesterday morning, but the chapter of accidents in so far as the Alhambra was concerned was not yet complete, the two hawsers by which she was being towed having parted in coming through the Rip. The Alhambra was thus in a position of peril, but sail being immediately clapped on her, she fortunately cleared the reef inside of Shortland's Bluff, and was afterwards towed to Sandridge.