SHIPPING INTELLIGENCE.

Westport Times, Volume IV, Issue 663, 26 May 1870, Page 2

SHIPPING INTELLIGENCE.

WESTPORT. . HIGH WATER. This "Day ... 7.20 a.m., 7.48 p.m. To-morrow 8.14 a.m., 8.38 p.m. On Monday lust the hurbor crew, under the direction of Captain Leech, removed a large snug from the bed of the river, abreast of M'Leod's wharf, Kennedy street. The wharf will bo completed in ten days. It is notified elspwhere, that the s.s. Murray will leave Westport for Hokitika this evening.

The steamers John Penn and Wallabi are telegraphed as having left Wanganui at 3.15 p.m. on Monday last. Both vessels are consequently over due, and their protracted arrival is doubtless owing to severe weather. Both vessels bring cargoes of sheep and -cattle.

The Java Bode, of February 8, reports the total destruction by fire of the ship Fredric. She was a Belgian ship of 803 tons, from Hongkong to Callao, with 379 Coolies on board. According to the statements of the Chinese interpreter, the Coolies were continually talking about and conversing on the subject of arson. The ship passed through Gasper Straits in going to Batavia, to take in water and fresh provisions, and afterwards it was intended to continue the voyage direct to Callao. On the sth, the day after her arrival at Batavia, the captain, who was on shore on the point of going on board, learned at 4 p.m. that his ship was on fire. Shortly afterwards he found that the ship was wholly in flames, so that it was found to be impossible to get on board. The crew had put the Chinese to the pumps, to endeavor to subdue the flames, while they themselves took the necessary measures consequent on the conflagration; the principal being to get the vessel into shallow water and sink her. This, however, appeared to be impracticable, because in the first place, there was no wind, and in the second place, because the flames shot forth fiercely in every direction from the deck, so that the sails and rigging were almost instantly in flames. Thereupon leave was given to the Chinese coolies to jump overboard, and 'endeavor to save themselves as well as they could, for from the rapidity with which the flames spread themselves, and consumed the rigging, &c, there was no possibility of getting at the boats, with the exception of a life--boat and another, both belonging to the captain, which were attached to the stern, having thus been kept ready for any sudden - emergency. All the woodwork obtainable was flung to the swimming Chinese, so that they might avail themselves of it in saving their ■ lives. The crew and fifty-two Chinese got into the boats above mentioned, which would not hold more ; however, the boats and other •craft .came hastily on from all sides, and picked up the Chinese, and also did the steam launch of the guard ship, and the steamer 1 Chilliwong. The vessel was burnt to the water's edge, nothing being saved.— China Mail, March 8.