SHIPPING ITEMS.

Westport Times, Volume V, Issue 834, 8 July 1871, Page 2

SHIPPING ITEMS.

Tho ship Chelsea has been purchased by Mr H. H. Hall. She will be at once despatched to Levuka (Fiji), where she will be used as a hulk for the storage of coals for the use of the California!! mail steamers. She has capacity for 2000 tons of coal, but, having three decks, might also become available as a floating warehouse for cotton, or other produce, thus admitting of ready transhipment—" S. M. Herald " June 1.

We understand that Captain Barrick has been appointed to act as Marine Surveyor at the islauds comprising t'ie Fijian group, on behalf of the various insurance offices in Sydney—lbid. The yacht Cambria has been pur* chased from Mr Ashbury by Mr J. H. Johnston, of St. Osyth's Priory, Essex. Mr Johnston has hitherto been known in yachting circles as the owner of the Audax.

Mr Ashbury's scooner yacht Livonia was successfully launched on April Bth at Cowes. The ceremony of christening was performed by the Mayor of Brighton. After the launch Mr Ashbury entertained a very select party at luncheon at the Fountain Hotel. The opinion of all who witnessed the launch of this fine vessel was that she would prove the fastest vessel in the world. The builder, Mr Ratsey, was highly complimented on the design and workmanship of the vessel. Considerable interest has been manifested at the launch of the new yacht Dreadnought at the yard of Messrs Poillon, of New 3 ork. The ostensible owner, Captain Samuels, is well-known in yachting circles, and it is understood that the Dreadnought has been specially built to compete with Mr Ashbury's new yacht, the Livonia. The design is Captain Samuels' own, and great hopes are entertained that the Dreadnought will prove one of the fastest yachts afloat. It is rumoured that this beautiful craft is the property of James Fisk, junior, of Erie fame ; but he will not appear in the character of owner until her trial trip proves that Captain Samuels' ai - ticipations of a swift vessel are placed beyond a doubt. The Megiera, with the crews of the Rosario and Blanche, arrived safely at Madeira, and was in that harbour on March 22. The officers and men complain loudly of the discomfort in the overcrowding of the ship. Thirteen hundred marine torpedoes have just been delivered at the Royal Arsenal, Woolwich, by the manufactures at Rochester. Each torpedo of the largest size is calculated to contain 500 lbs of gun cotton ; the second size contines 205 lbs, and the third 100 lbs. They are said to be formidable missiles.

The Plying Squadron, under BearAdmiral Seymour, was expected at Bermuda, early in May. The brig Carl, the eleventh Tessel of the line of Polynesia packets, cleared the Heads on Thursday last, bound for the Piji and New Hebrides Islands. She had a number of passengers, amongst whom were a good many ladies and children proceeding to Suva city in order to setttle down on the lands they have acquired from the Polynesia Company. The Carl takes down a fine cutter on deck as a tender for the yessel whilst cruising amongst the islands, also a number of horses, cattle, &c.—"Argus," June 13.