IMPORTANT TO PASSENGERS—On the 15th April last, the ship Broxburnebury, bound from Bombay to London, put in here for repairs nearly at the same time with about six other vessels which had suffered in the same gale. She was detained, and was abandoned to the Insurance; and Captain Brunett, the Commander, refusing to provide a passage for, or return any passage money to his passengers, a suit was instituted by the Rev. Henry Frey, to compel the Captain to fulfill his contract, of giving a passage to London. It appeared from evidence on the trial, that the passenger had paid 900 rupees for his passage by the ship, bound to London, and in this port she had been abandoned, and subsequently sold for £850;--that her remaining stores had been sold by auction, and that she was insured. A discussion ensued as to the unseaworthiness of the vessel before she left Bombay, but as that had not been alluded to in the libel, the evidence of the witnesses in the prosecution was not proceeded with. The decision was, that a vessel abandoned or condemned in any port being considered as lost, the passengers who had prepaid their passage money had no claim whatever upon the captain or agent of the vessel. The plaintiff was therefore nonsuited—Mauritius Watchman, July 29.

The Strathisla has now all her cattle and sheep on board for Auckland; they have been taken in at the Queen’s Wharf. The tame cows were all slung in canvass slings, whilst the others were hoisted in by a strap round the neck and one of the fore legs, which prevented strangulation. By this method not one received the least injury, thus proving it far preferable to the barbarous system of slinging them by the horns. The only purchase used was a luff tackle suspended from a pendant made fast to the main-topmast head, with an out-haul tackle on the main-yard; the fall being taken through a lead on board, and made fast to a dray on the wharf, which ran the cattle up with a single horse. The time occupied in hoisting in and lowering each beast did not average more than half a minute.

The Marion left Hobart Town on the 6th ultimo with horses for India. May 11—arrived at Hobart Town the ship Bella Marina, Asbridge, master, from Plymouth 5th Feb with a general cargo. Passengers for this place—R C Bishop, Wilson, Rev W Hall, Rev W P Bond, Mr Livermore, Mr Hunter, Mrs Raby and servant and Mr Orr. Passengers for New Zealand—Mr and Mrs Wakefield two children and servant, Mr Chetham, Mr Bateman, Mr Rowlands and brother, Mr Gledhall, Mr Robertson, Mr Corser, and Mr Richards.

The barque Rebecca which went ashore at King’s Island, six or seven months back, and was reported lost, having been sold for the benefit of the underwriters, the purchaser succeeded in getting her off, but she was subsequently blown from her anchors. She has, however, arrived safe at Twofold Bay, where she was taken by the assistance of Capt Cork of the schooner, Comet—Hobart Town Gazette

PORT PHILLIP

ARRIVAL—May 28, Ellen, barque, 380 tons, Wilson, master, from Hobart Town. Passengers—Mr Charles Williams and son, Mr C Orr, Mr Howe and two in steerage. Cargo-50 cases claret, 40 tons coals, 45 tons pig iron, part of original cargo; cargo shipped at Hobart Town, 5 tons flour, 3 boxes apples, 2000 palings, 8000 feet timber, 20 chests tea, 1366 bags sugar, 4 baskets apples, order.

DEPARTURES—May 27, Tobago, brig, Capt Pockley for Launceston. May 30, Corsair, steamer, 186 tons, Taggart, master, for Launceston and Sydney. Passengers (for Launceston)—Messrs Henry and Charles Napier; and in steerage, John Smith, George Haskett, John Sells, John Williams and Arthur Fahir. Cargo—2 bales cotton, 6 casks beef, 40 salted hides, 1 bundle leather, 1 parcel deeds, 4 cases merchandise, and original cargo shipped at Sydney for Launceston.

NEWCASTLE—The barque, Giraffe, Capt Grant, had taken 300 tons of coals on board, and would leave for Launceston this morning.

WHALING NEWS—The Clarkstone has put in at Port Stephens to obtain medical assistance, a number of her crew being laid up with scurvy; she left Sydney on the 13th September last, since which 900 barrels sperm oil have been procured by her.

PORT PHILLIP

The Cecilia, barque, had cleared out for London on 3rd June, with a cargo of 380 bales wool, 18 casks tallow, 43 logs timber, 400 hides, 108 tons mimosa bark. Passenger-Mr G Arden. She sailed 5th June.

RATES OF FREIGHTS

The following is the average rate of freight for articles of colonial produce from this port to England:--Wool from 1d. to 1 ½ d. per lb.; Tallow, from £3 10s. to £4 per ton; Oil from £4 to £4 10s. per ton. Bark from £5 to £5 10s. per ton; Manganese and Copper Ore, £2 2s per ton; Hides 50s. to 60s per ton; Horns 50s per 1000; Wheat 1s. 6d. per bushel; Sheepskins and Gum £4 per ton measurement.

THE “MARY SHARP”—The Mary Sharp, the first of the Post Office Packet Ships, arrived on Tuesday after a passage of one hundred and twenty-six days, having touched at the Cape of Good Hope, where she remained two days. Her mail is rather large, consisting of eight leathern bags, about five feet in length each, which have patent locks on them. This system of conveyance may be compact; but a query arises whether letters are not more safe from the effects of dampness when stowed in boxes.

THE CUTTER “JANE SCOTT”—This vessel, which was reported ashore at the Bellinger, having been got off, took in a cargo of cedar for Sydney, and left there on the 26th May; but an easterly gale coming on, she was compelled to stand out to sea. The wind soon veered round to the westward, and increased to such a degree that she was driven out of sight of land, and did not make it again until fourteen days after, when they put into Broulee and obtained some provisions. There were four men and a woman passenger on board, and their sufferings must have been extreme, having been eight days with only a biscuit and half a pint of water each per diem. To add to their misfortunes, after leaving Broulee the whole of her canvas was blown clean away, and they arrived off the signal station yesterday at the mercy of the winds, when two of the pilots repaired to her assistance (Messrs Gibson and Bainbridge) and being joined by Mr Powell, in the Water Police Boat, they towed her safely into Watson’s Bay. One of the crew had swam through the surf at Bondi, upon whose arrival in Sydney the Sophia Jane was dispatched to bring her up to the Albion Wharf.

The brig Brothers sold at Singapore for 7000 dollars.

The barque Louisa, Capt Pallott, from London, arrived Launceston 29th May. Passengers—Mr Spry, Mr H Williams, and Mr W Williams.

Since our last publication, more definite intelligence has reached the colony relative to the establishment of a line of packets between Great Britain and Sydney than had formerly reached us, and the first of the packets, the Mary Sharp, has arrived in our port.

The contractors are, on the one part, the Commissioners for executing the office of the Lord High Admiral of Great Britain, for and on behalf of Her Majesty, and on the other part, Messrs Henry Toulmin and Calvert Toulmin, of George-yard, Lombard-street, ship-owners.

The substance of the contract is, that the said Henry and Calvert Toulmin, their executors and administrators, shall and will, during the continuance of the contract, diligently, faithfully, and to the satisfaction of the said Commissioners for the time being, and with all possible speed, convey her Majesty’s mails and dispatches, once in every calendar month, from Gravesend, in the county of Kent, or (subject to a proviso) from the port of Liverpool, in the county of Lancaster, to Sydney in New South Wales; and also, if the contract be extended beyond the period of twelve months, they will in like manner convey Her Majesty’s mails and dispatches once in every calendar month from Sydney to the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland, the services to be performed by good, substantial and efficient vessels of not less than 250 tons burthen. One of the vessels is to leave Gravesend on the 1st day of every calendar month, and on the first or second day of every month, when sailing from Liverpool, the proviso empowering the Commissioners to detain any such packet-ship for twenty-four hours after the time appointed for sailing without cost to Her Majesty. Mails and dispatches in the United Kingdom are to be delivered at the Post Office of the first port at which the vessels may touch, or by pilot-boat or other safe and convenient means, without expense to her Majesty; and mails for Sydney are to be delivered by the captains of such vessels immediately on their arrival in the port, they making declaration at the time that they deliver all mails and dispatches forwarded by their respective ships, and for which receipts will be taken when put on board.

The contractors are to receive for the conveyance of these mails each month from Great Britain to Sydney, £100; and from Sydney to Great Britain, £150.

If a packet ship be detained more than one week after the appointed time, or if six weeks elapse between the sailing of any two packets, the contractors will forfeit the sum of £200; and in case of deviation from the direct route, or other delay, or neglecting to deliver the mails and dispatches immediately on arrival at the appointed port or place of delivery, the contractors, for each default, are to forfeit and pay the sum of £25.

The contractors are further bound not to convey or assign this contract, and not to admit any member of Parliament to participate in the contract or in the profits arising therefrom, and for the due fulfillment of their contract, in all its particulars, they are bound in the sum of £1000.

Further, on notice given to the Commissioners, the contract may be extended for the period of three years beyond the first period of twelve months, which so far as respects the conveyance of mails from England to Sydney, was to commence on the 1st day of January 1844.

Thus much we learn from official documents already published. We understand that the Postmaster-General of this colony has received further communications on the subject, and that in order to carry out the plan to its full extent a number of arrangements must be made in the post office departments of this and the neighbouring colonies, as it is intended to make Sydney the head packet station in these colonies.

ARRIVALS—June 10. Coquette, schooner, Cummins, master, from Portland Bay and Port Fairy. Passengers—Mr H Bell; steerage—Constable Adamson, Samuel Harris, Mary Ann Harris, John Lee and James Potter. The barque Isabella will clear out for London this day with the following passengers: Miss Scott, Messrs John Broadfoot, Alexander Campbell, H Davis, John Coffin and George Roach—Port Phillip Gazette, June 15.

The schooner William, from Moreton Bay, has had a very rough passage, having been compelled to put into Port Stephens, where she was detained for four days, through the heavy cross sea at the Heads. The barque Nimrod, Capt Sullivan, hence 17th Aug 1843 put into Port Stephens on Tuesday se’nnight, with 200 barrels sperm oil. Her expedition has turned out very boisterous the chief part of the time; she had also lost the third mate, his boat and crew, consisting of black men, which was supposed to have been occasioned by the line fouling whilst the whale sounded, as neither the boat nor men were seen afterwards. The name of the third mate which left Sydney was William Sharp; but as the chief officer was landed at the Chatham Islands, it is uncertain what was the name of the officer lost.

HMS “NORTH STAR”—The stay of this vessel in port is not expected to exceed a fortnight, as she is about to proceed to the Solomon, Loyalty and other islands in their vicinity, for the purpose of investigating the late outrages committed on different British vessels. She will then pursue her course through Torres Straits, touching at Port Essington, and return by the way of Swan River, Port Adelaide, and Port Phillip. This will probably occupy her above six months.

ARRIVAL—June 18, Dorset, brig, 81 tons, Walsh, master, from Adelaide. Passengers—Mrs Debus, Miss Debus, Master Debus and Mr Gillies.

DEPARTURE—May 18, Isabella, ship, 422 tons, Hardie, master, for London and Leith. Passengers—Miss Scott, Mrs Hardie and child, Messrs Broadfoot, Campbell, Hunter, B Cotter, surgeon. Intermediate-Mrs French and child, Messrs Davis, Coffin, Roch, McNeel and Ewart.

CLEARED—June 18, Coquette, 72 tons, Cummins, master, for Adelaide via Portland Bay. Passengers—Capt Scott, Messrs Williamson and Tetley; three in the steerage. Cargo, 1150 bags potatoes, 2 bales sacks.

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THE “ROYAL SAXON”—This vessel has made one of the quickest passages of the season, only 99 days having elapsed since her leaving Cork, but her English news does not extend to so late a date as that per the Briton. Her cargo is very trifling, about a hundred hogsheads of beer being the chief article. The emigrants and vessel have a cleanly appearance, and they all seem highly pleased with the treatment received on board; there are 56 single females, 30 unmarried men, 71 children, and 94 married persons. Five infants died during the voyage, but not from any contagious disease. She has spoken nothing connected with this place, but saw the schooner at anchor near Kent’s Group reported by the Briton, supposed to be the Mary Ann, for Launceston. She will have her emigrants mustered to-day, after which it is expected she will move to the Cove.

THE “BRITON”—This vessel arrived on Wednesday from Liverpool, with 269 bounty emigrants, after a fine run of 102 days, during which time only seven deaths occurred, six children and one adult. Shortly after leaving Liverpool the measles broke out among the infants, but no deaths occurred in consequence, the last case having been cured on the 16th April. The cargo on board is small. The emigrants appear to have been well selected, and consist of 41 single women, 26 single men, 86 married persons, and 116 children, all of whom are in good health. The ship presents an appearance of cleanliness throughout highly creditable to the surgeon, captain, and officers, more especially as nothing but wet weather has occurred since leaving the Cape of Good Hope. It may be worthy of remark, that there are only nine mechanics on board; four blacksmiths, four carpenters, and one mason; the others consist of agricultural labourers. She spoke nothing connected with these colonies; but on the 23rd June, saw a schooner anchored under the lee of Kent’s Group, during a gale wind from the westward. The emigrants were mustered yesterday, after which she was removed to off the Flour Company’s Wharf, where parties wanting servants can engage them.

THE “GEORGETOWN”—The arrival of this vessel on Saturday was unexpected, her name not having been published in any of the London papers as being laid on for this port. It appears that she is the second of the Post Office Packets, having taken the place of the Superior, which vessel had been taken off the berth. The Georgetown has made the passage out in 112 days, and in all probability, had she not broken one of her pumps, which compelled her to put into the Cape of Good Hope, not more than 100 days would have elapsed from the time of her leaving England. The mail by her is very large, comprising eleven large leather bags full of letters and newspaper. English news had been received at the Cape to the 6th March, by the Poictiers, Magnificent, and Anna Robertson, from London, bound to India. The Haidee, from Liverpool 20th February, was at the Cape of Good Hope bound to Sydney, she was to leave the same afternoon. The Prince Albert was still at the Cape, loading for Sydney to sail about the 20th May. The Lady Keane, from Port Phillip for London, was at the Cape on the 9th May.

The John Dalton, which arrived a short since from Manila, reports that the vessel which conveyed the Honorable Mr Murray and several other to the coast of Borneo, for the purpose of forming a settlement there, was attacked, shortly after her arrival, by the natives; and during the affray, Mr Murray and nine of the crew were killed. The vessel arrived at Manila a short time before the John Dalton left, where those who were wounded received medical assistance.

NEWCASTLE, JUNE 28—The ship Urgent sailed for New Zealand on Tuesday last, with horses, cattle and sheep. A barque was off the port yesterday afternoon and gave her name Avon; she stood off again to the eastward, it was blowing very hard. Nothing more can be said about her, as there is neither Marryatt’s Code of Signals or books allowed here at present; had there been, every information might have been rendered, as the vessel seemed to stand in for the purpose of communicating with the shore. There was also a large barque off Bird Island at two pm yesterday, standing to the southward; she was spoken by a schooner bound to this port, but owing to its blowing so hard the schooner was obliged to stand off.

HOBART TOWN—June 12—Arrived the schooner John and Charlotte, Patterson, master, from Sydney via Port Albert. Left Sydney 10th May and Port Albert 6th inst, with cattle. Passengers—Mr King and Mrs Munro of the Royal Engineer Dept.

June 14, arrived the schooner Sylvanus, Taylor, master, from Port Albert, with sheep and cattle.

ENGLISH SHIPPING

The Aden, from China, arrived at Gravesend on 21st Feb, the Belle Creole from the Mauritius, was off Falmouth on the 21st Feb. The barque Australasian Packet, hence 9th Oct, and the barque Exporter, hence 11th Oct, arrived in the Downs on the 26th Feb. The Lady Grey left for Hobart Town Feb 25th. The Ceylon, 400 tons, Capt Hurry, was advertised as a royal mail packet for Sydney to sail on the 1st April. The St Vincent was also to leave on the 1st April with emigrants. The Dale Park, 500 tons, Capt Snell, was to leave for Port Phillip the 16th Mar, and the Lord William Bentinck, 600 tons, Capt Santhill, on the 16th Apr. The barque Fama, Capt Bennet, hence 21st August, via Rio Janeiro, arrived at Gravesend 11th Mar, and was to be laid on berth again for Sydney. The Lloyds was to leave London for Sydney on 15th Mar. The London cleared outwards in London for Hobart Town and Lombock on 13th Mar. The St George, Capt Sughrue, from Callao, was off Falmouth on 9th Mar. The brig Ann, Capt Squires, hence 8th Nov, arrived at Gravesend 14th Mar.

ARRIVAL—June 28, Shamrock, steamer 200 tons, Gilmore, master from Sydney. Passeners—Messrs McArthur, Graham, Smith, J W Howey, Couzens, Eddie, Spence, Wallis, Knowles, Wren, Campbell, and Levi, Dr Palmer, Mrs Willis, Miss Willis, Miss McPhee, fifteen in steerage.

DEPARTURE—June 27, Dorset, brig 81 tons, Walsh, master, for Sydney. Passengers—L W Gilles, Esq., --Pohle, Esq, Mrs Debus, Master and Miss Denus, and Mr Part

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The Lady Leigh, hence the 16th May, arrived at Port Nicholson on the 30th, where she was advertised to proceed on to Port Nelson. Whilst lying at Wellington, a serious accident happened on board her; the Capt had gone on shore to be married, and the mate loaded one of the cannons on deck to fire in commemoration of it; on applying the match, the gun burst and blew off his left hand, whilst he was almost deprived of sight by the gunpowder, and two of the men standing by were also severely wounded.

ARRIVALS—July 5, Hawk, 115 tons, Brown, from Sydney 24th June. Passengers—G R McCrae, Esq, Mr and Mrs H Kirkland and son, Mrs Brown and child, Mrs Latham, Mrs Aitcheson and child, Messrs P Levi, E L Hayes, J B Garret, J Power, A Adams, T Gregg and H Walker.

Benjamin Boyd Esq has become the purchaser of the barque Rebecca for the sum of £800, the sale having been effected during Dr Palmer’s late visit to Sydney. Mr Boyd purposes adding the Rebecca to his whaling establishment, and she is now being fitted out with that view at Twofold Bay; the masts, spars &c which were brought up from King’s Island were forwarded to Twofold Bay by the Shamrock yesterday—Patriot, July 4.

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VAN DIEMEN’S LAND
Hobart Town

ARRIVALS—June 16—Lady Grey, J C Hawkes, from London, passengers—Miss Hawkes, Miss C Hawkes, Mr and Mrs Graham, and Mr Ellis. July 3—Greenlaw, barque, from Dublin 6th March with 115 female prisoners and 127 children.

Launceston

ARRIVALS—June 21, Sir John Franklin, schooner, 52 tons, Campbell from Nelson, New Zealand; Campbell, agent; passengers—Mrs Bray, Mrs McHugh, Mr Daniels. July 2—Mary Ann, schooner, 51 tons, Brown from Sydney 3rd May, Kerr & Co, agents; passengers—Messrs John Fortune, Thomas Bell and A Atkin.

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The steamer Rose arrived from Morpeth last night at nine o’clock, with a great number of passengers, amongst whom were Mr Manning, Chairman of Quarter Sessions, Mr Cheeke, and Mr Callaghan. There were also nine convicts sentenced to Norfolk Island, six of which were for life, being the men who piratically seized the cutter Brothers a short time since from Newcastle.

SHIPWRECK – On the 5th December 1840, as the Lady Ruffles, Capt Edward Hight, bound for Sydney and India, was beating out of the Channel, about 100 miles south-west of Scilly, a vessel was at daylight discovered in distress. Capt Hight immediately bore down towards her, and she proved to be the Russian barque , from Odessa to Falmouth. She had a sprung a leak in the night, and was in a sinking state, having 12 feet water in her. Capt Hight instantly lowered his quarter-boats, and sent them with his chief-mate to their assistance, although it was then blowing hard, with every appearance of a gale coming on. At the request of the Russian captain he was taken on board the Lady Raffles, together with all his crew, amounting to 16 men, but one of the boats was lost, and very nearly two of the crew of the Lady Raffles. As it was anticipated, the gale came on, and the Osilia was never after heard of. The Lady Raffles at the time had a number of convicts on board, who, together with her own crew, amounted to 400. Fortunately on the following day, Capt Hight fell in with a ship bound for Arendhal in Norway and the captain consented to take the captain and crew of the Osilia on board. The circumstances having been represented to the Emperor of Russia, he has been pleased to express his high satisfaction at the kindness and humanity displayed by Capt Hight, and has presented him with a massive gold medal bearing a suitable inscription, the medal to be worn round the neck suspended by a riband of the order of St Anne. Capt Hight is now in command of the City of Poonah Indiaman, bound to Madras, and has as good a character for seamanship as for humanity—Times, Feb 24.

LOSS OF THE “ISABELLA”—The Christina, which arrived on Tuesday from Port Phillip, spoke the brig Flying Fish on the 1st inst, bound to Melbourne, which vessel had then on board the crew and passengers of the ship Isabella, hence via Port Phillip, for London and Leith, which had been totally wrecked on Flinder’s Island during the night of the 22nd ultimo, all hands saved and taken off by the brig. It will be remembered that the Isabella arrived at Sydney from Hongkong on the 17th December, after a most disastrous passage, in which she encountered a typhoon, and damaged a considerable portion of her cargo. After discharging she underwent extensive repairs, and was then laid on the berth for London and Leith via Port Phillip. The cargo shipped from this place for England consisted of 10 bales wool, 228 tierces beef, 38 logs cedar, 1 case curiosities, 3 casks 2 cases stationery, 1 cask earthenware, 14 cases preserved ginger, 5 nests champhor-wood trunks and 1 case toys;--and from Melbourne; 260 bales wool, 212 casks tallow, 611 hides, 2 casks beef, 250 tons bark in bulk, 49 bags bark, 29 logs gun, 4 logs blackwood, 3 bales leather, 1 box swanskins, 2 bales sealskins, 6 boxes specimens, 1 box pictures, 1 cask hams, 1 cask sarsparilla bark 1 box birdskins, 34 kegs nails, 4 trunks 2 boxes apparel, 2 boxes documents, 7 cases wine, 9 hogsheads geneva.

The passengers from Port Phillip were—Miss Scott, Mrs Hardie and child, Messrs Broadfoot, Campbell, Hunter, B Cotter, surgeon. Intermediate—Mrs French and child, Messrs Davis, Coffon, Roch, McNeel and Ewart. She left Port Phillip on 18th June and shortly after had to contend with the gale from which so many vessels then in Bass’s Straits suffered. Providentially no accident occurred either to passengers or crew. We copy the following particulars from the Port Phillip Herald of July 2:

“We stop the Press to announce the total loss of this vessel and cargo under the following circumstances. The Isabella left Hobson’s Bay on the 18th ult, with a fair wind, bound for London and Leith. From the hour of her sailing up to the time of her wreck, the weather was boisterous and very hazy. On Friday week last, the 21st June, about half-past two pm she sighted land, which the captain took for Kent’s Group—wind SSW and blowing a gale. When close in shore and endeavouring to run through what the captain thought was a well known passage through Kent’s Group, the second mate gave the alarm of ‘breakers ahead’. The captain immediately ordered the anchors to be let go, when the vessel brought up with 110 fathoms of cable between Chapel and Badger Islands. She continued drifting till next morning, when she struck on a reef. The ladies and a few of the passengers were most miraculously landed in safety in the ship’s boats, and the remainder were lashed to the poop all night, expecting every moment the vessel would go to pieces; the next morning they fortunately succeeded in reaching the shore by means of a boat that had been swamped alongside the preceding night. Shortly after all were landed, the vessel went literally to pieces, not allowing the crew and passengers time to save an article of clothing more than they stood upright in, the mail, or any particle of provisions of cargo. The sufferers remained on the island three days, and destitute of fire and covering, subsisted on pumpkins that drifted ashore from the ship, and some crawfish they were fortunate in catching.

Not knowing where they were, the weather moderating, the party managed to launch the boats, and proceeded to a sealer’s settlement at an island distant four miles, when they learnt they were on Flinders’ Island, where the Flying Fish was lying. They succeeded in reaching this vessel just as she was on the point of sailing for Melbourne, and all were safely landed at Mr Liardet’s at the beach, late last night. We must not omit mentioning that the moment Dr and Mrs Milligan, who hold a government appointment at the Aboriginal Station, at Flinders’ Island, heard of the arrival of the shipwrecked party, they sent a supply of clothes and provisions, and behaved altogether in the kindest manner. The heroic conduct of the ladies under such trying circumstances is spoken of by their fellow passengers in the highest terms; their sufferings, though great, were endured with admirable fortitude.”

Arrival ---July 12—Soondrapoory, brig, Capt R Espinasse, from Hongkong 10th Apr and Batavia June 6th. Passengers—Messrs Thom, Larkin and Cannon. Cargo—3,000 chests tea, 2,296 bags sugar.

The Sea Queen for Liverpool, will clear at the Customs tomorrow (13th inst) and is announced to sail positively early Monday morning. Passengers—Mrs Joyce, Mrs French and child, Messrs William McGrotty, James Cuthbert, T S Cooper, William McCarter, Charles Sherrard, Godolphin Arundell, John Hunter, ….Menzies and ….Kincaid—Port Phillip paper.

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SALE OF VESSELS—This morning the following vessels were offered for sale by Mr Samuel Lyons—Elizabeth, barque, 157 tons, with her stores, but no bidders offering she was bought in at £230. The schooner, Marian Watson, 155 67.94 tons, with stores; the bidding was rather animated up to £450 and she was at length knocked down for £505 to Mr Alderman Flood. The barque Nelson, recently arrived from a whaling voyage was then offered, with about 100 tuns oil casks, whaling gear, stores &c., and was bought by Capt Fotheringham, at the low rate of £510.

The Briton, Royal Saxon, Enmore and Lloyds having been taken up for the conveyance of the 80th regt to India, are now getting ready for their reception, and it is expected they will leave about the middle of August. The tender of the Georgetown not having been accepted, she is about to proceed to Guam.

The cutter Resolution has been taken up by Government for the conveyance of sixty of the lately arrived immigrants to the Richmond River.

The murder of the Hon. E Murray, which was reported some time ago, is thus confirmed by a letter addressed to Lloyd’s agent:--

Barque Cyrus, off North Island
Sunday April 14, 1844

Sir,--I beg leave to report the arrival of the Honorable Erskine Murray’s Yacht Young Queen, Captain Hait, and brig Anne, Captain Lewis, at Menado on the 1st of March, from Coti River. These vessels had been to try and form a settlement, and after twenty-one days negotiated with the Sultan, who led them to believe he was friendly to the expedition till he was prepared to attack them, which he did in the night, but failing of his purpose in surprising them, he attacked them next day, and they narrowly escaped being taken, being thirty-six hours fighting their way down the river. The Honorable Erskine Murray and several of the crew were killed, and many more badly wounded in the surprise at Menado.

Should the above information not have reached you before, I beg leave to request it may be reported for the information of the merchants in China and elsewhere….SPRATLY, Master.

The Sea Queen for Liverpool had cleared at the Customs, and was to sail positively on the 21st. Passengers—Mr Alexander Campbell; steerage, Messrs Pollard, Mason, and Roach. Cargo—300 tons bark, 116 bales wool, 17 tons cedar wood, 68 casks tallow, 18 hogsheads rum.

VAN DIEMEN’S LAND

ARRIVALS—Hobart Town—July 9—Ship London, 612 tons, 2 guns, Atwood, master, from Portsmouth; sailed 23rd March with 203 male convicts. Passengers—Surgeon Superintendent, Dr Inches, R.N., Lieutenant Masters, 58th regt, Ensign Nerith, 51st regt, 51 rank and file of 51st 58th and 80th regts, three women and three children; Messrs Easterman and Bennett (Religious Instructors), Mr and Mrs Carthage and two children, James Carthage.

DEPARTURES—The Louisa sails tomorrow for Sydney, and we cannot allow her to depart unnoticed, as we have with great pleasure inspected her fittings up. The cabin has been repaired and enlarged, and her accommodations are in fact altogether of a very excellent order. Her rate of sailing too is very fast and to those who desire to save time, and yet to meet with comfort and attention, we recommend to try a trip in this beautiful brig under her present agreeable commander.—Courier, July 12.

CHINA—DEPARTURES

March 6, 1844—Ratcliff, for London with part of the 55th regt. The Canton was announced to sail in a few days for London with the last detachment of the 55th regt.

NEW ZEALAND – on 25th June 1844 a severe shock of an earthquake was felt at Wellington.

PORT OF CALCUTTA—we are indebted to a correspondent who has kindly forwarded a document relative to the present state of trade with Calcutta, from which it appears that during the year 1843, 271 vessels have entered the port of Calcutta, the aggregate tonnage of which is 236,264 tons—Englishman, January 3.

WHALING—The brig Brothers, Leisk, from Bali the 7th, arrived here on the 26th ultimo. Capt Leisk reports having on the 12th ult spoken the whaling barque Proteus of Sydney, Capt Christie, Banue Wangie, in the Straits of Bali, twenty months out, with 110 barrels of sperm oil. The captain, third officer, and seven of the crew, were dangerously ill, the first and second officer and five of the crew had died of the Island of Rottz fever—Singapore Free Press, May 2.

THE BRIG “CLARENCE”—The boat’s crew which left this vessel with the chief officer arrived on Sunday on board the schooner William from Moreton Bay. They state that nine days after leaving the wreck they fell in with the whaler Woodlark, Smith, of Sydney with 750 barrels of sperm, hence 24th Sept 1843. About two days after that the Woodlark fell in with the barque, Lindsays, Williams, hence 15th June 843 with 750 barrels sperm on board. Mr Surtess, mate of the Clarence, remained on board the Woodlark with the understanding that he was to take the berth of chief officer on board the brig Genii, which they were cruising in search of. An offer was also made to the boat’s crew, which being rejected, the Woodlark steered for the mouth of Moreton Bay when they were taken on board by the William.

July 21—Dale Park, barque, 402 tons, Coombes, from London 17th March and Cork 30th. Passengers—Mr, Mrs and two Misses Barrow, Mr Shone and 221 emigrants, consisting of 82 married couples, 77 children, 32 single females and 30 single males; Dr Veitch, surgeon superintendent. Eight children died during the passage.

July 25—Shamrock, steamer, 200 tons, Gilmore, from Sydney 19th July. Passengers—Capt Coghill, Mrs and Miss Coghill, Mrs Goddard, Messrs Webb, S Stephen, Lord, Raff, Dossurer, King, Woolridge and Master Dalgetty; steerage, Messrs Raphael, Childrey, Hayghens Frayser and four military.

PORT PHILLIP—DEPARTURES

July 22—Sea Queen, ship, 413 tons Martyn, master, for Liverpool; passengers—Mrs Joyce, Messrs McCarter, McGrotty, Cuthbert, Conner, Arundel, Hunter, Sherrard, Campbell, Pollard, Kincaid, Menzies and two in the steerage; cargo—116 bales wool, 68 casks tallow, 300 tons mimosa bark, 24 logs cedar, 15 bullock hides, 18 hogsheads rum, 1 cask paint, 1 case stationery, and 1 box documents.

July 22—Hawk, schooner, for Adelaide. Passengers—Mrs Brown and child, Messrs Hayes, Levi, E Levi, J B Garratt and James Cain; steerage, Mrs Aitcheson and child, Mr O’Connor, William Brierlie and wife, Thomas Mathews, Mrs Reid and three children, Messrs Adams, Gregg, Henry Haley and James Gill; cargo—4 boxes wearing apparel, 11 hogsheads 6 tierces 2 quarter-casks brandy, 10 hogsheads gin, 1 case merchandise, 5 boxes candles, 1 tierce 2 kegs tobacco, 78 boxes candles, 17 boxes tobacco pipes, 5 cases cigars, 1 keg currants, 10 quarter-casks whiskey, 20 bundles iron, 26 kegs white lead, 40 kegs green ditto, 33 cases wine, 6 bales cotton goods, 6 bales hops, 78 boxes soap, 2 bales sacks, 24 boilers, 57 saucepans, 45 chests, 105 half-chests, 110 ten-catty boxes tea, and part of original cargo shipped at Sydney for Port Adelaide.

SALE OF TEA—Messrs Brodie and Cruikshank disposed of, on Friday last, the whole of the teas arrived by the Soundraporvy to Messrs Griffiths, Borradaile and Co and Capt Cain. The sale realized upwards of £8000, mostly cash, a proof that there is yet money in the province. Already 600 chests have been shipped to Adelaide and Van Diemen’s Land per Hawk and Tamor—Port Phillip Herald, July 23. (1844)

LOSS OF THE SCHOONER “BESSY”—By the arrival of the Thistle on Monday evening we were made acquainted with the total loss of this vessel. It appears that she arrived off Newcastle on Friday sen’night, when the late southerly gale with thick weather set in, and she was then hove to, with her head off shore. At daybreak it was found that she had drifted into a bay, about fifteen miles southward of Port Stephens, when sail was set on her for the purpose of beating out, but having missed stays in attempting to wear, she struck between two rocks and within a quarter of an hour, scarcely a vestige of the wreck remained. All hands were saved; but the master is suffering from some severe bruises.

The brig William met with some damage on her last passage from Sydney, in consequence of taking a rock when under canvas and going at the rate of seven knots. We learn from Capt Thom that the reef on which the vessel struck is not laid down in any chart—is about three miles off the land, 120 miles to the southward of Port Jackson and is about WNW by compass of the Pigeon House. The vessel struck about two o’clock in the afternoon, at dead low water and hung for about an hour, a nasty sea being on, she laid uneasy, but floated off as the tide made, having suffered the loss of her false keel; the vessel made some water afterwards, but was kept free with an occasional spell at the pumps. It is remarkable that the rock on which the William struck has never before been seen, notwithstanding it lies right in the track of vessels along the coast of New Holland. Its particular position should be carefully ascertained and publicity given to it—Cornwall Chronicle July 20

(We have since ascertained from Capt Grant of the Giraffe, that he fell in with the same rock about two years since in the Socrates, and was near striking on it. The above account has not been correctly reported, as it is barely 100 miles to the southward of Port Jackson, and the Pigeon House lies WNW of it. Several other persons who are acquainted with the coast have also known of its being there, and that it was not laid down in charts. The accident which has lately occurred to the William will show the advantages mariners would derive from any recent discoveries being made known through the press as soon as possible).

The Brigand which proceeded from Wellington to the Isle of Pines, where a part of her crew and passengers were barbarously murdered, had returned there from Sydney well manned and armed, and had severely punished the natives, and taken possession of the island. It is said Captain Paddon, master of the Brigand, had been declared Governor of the island; and Mr Murphy, late Police Magistrate of this place, the Colonial Secretary. We find the following notice in the Auckland papers—“Captain James Paddon begs to inform masters of whalers and traders that he has an establishment at the island of Anatam in long 170.15 and south latitude 20.20, where water and fresh provisions can be had at any time. Anatam, New Hebrides, April 1844”—Wellington Spectator, June 26.

The Sydney arrived yesterday from the Bay of Islands, having been dispatched by the Governor of New Zealand for troops, a symtom of rebellion having manifested itself among the natives. It appears that on the 7th ult, a native chief named John Hackey, of Waimatte, made his appearance on the beach of Kororarika with fifty or sixty of his tribe, and having committed different outrages on the settlers, at length cut down the flag staff, and then left for the interior. News being forwarded to the seat of government, Capt Fitzroy instantly dispatched the Sydney with thirty soldiers to the Bay, with orders for the vessel to proceed on to Sydney for further assistance, fearful that being a chief of great influence, Hackey would cause a general insurrection when measures were adopted to bring him to justice. HMS Hazard, hence the 4th July, arrived at Auckland on the 15th and it was expected that she would leave again for the Bay instanter.

THE ST. VINCENT—by the St Vincent 263 emigrants have arrived who all appear to be in a healthy state. Of these 157 embarked at Deptford viz 8 single females, 20 single men, 30 married couples and 69 children. At Cork, 107 more were taken on board—38 single women, 22 single men, 13 married couples, and 21 children. The passage has been completed in 105 days; during which five infants under the two years of age have died, chiefly from change of climate; and four births have occurred. The vessels spoken by her on the passage had no connection with the Australian colonies.

PORT PHILLILP

The barque Arab, Capt Dalgarno, will clear at the Custom house, for London, in the course of tomorrow. Passengers—Mr and Mrs McClure and child, Mr and Mrs Lundy and family, Mrs Dalgarno, the two Misses Harper and Mr Wheeler. Cargo—116 bales wool, 375 casks tallow, 101 tons bark, 1 case pictures, 3 hogsheads Geneva, 2 boxes bird skins, 6 logs Port Phillip mahogany, 1 parcel patterns, 2 cases, 40 logs cedar, 1 trunk apparel, 90 bushels wheat, 1 cast spermaceti oil, 21 pieces red gun, 2 boxes sundries—Port Phillip Herald, August 2.

The steamer Sovereign has brought 50 casks tallow, 10 bales wool, and 100 hides from Moreton Bay. Her absence from Sydney has been much longer than in general--eighteen days; this has been occasioned by the prevalence of strong southerly gales along the coast to the northward, accompanied with a heavy sea. The Sovereign left the settlement at Brisbane Town last Monday week, but on approaching the bar, owing to the inclemency of the weather, it was found impracticable to get over and she was therefore brought to an anchor. The gale continued to rage until Saturday last; when having subsided a little, Captain Cape determined to make an attempt to get to sea, and got under way; but upon reaching the bar the vessel shipped a sea which washed the coals on deck into the engine room, which choked the levers, and stopped the engine. She then paid off, and being broadside on, the waves made a clean breach over her. The wind was baffling, but having set sail, they at length succeeded in getting back to her former anchorage, having lost part of her larboard paddle box and bulwark. There was no other vessel in the Bay, neither did the Sovereign speak anything on the passage down.

The barque Maria Somes from London 2nd May with female prisoners and the Robert Matthews from London with merchandise arrived at Hobart Town on the 30th ult. The Elizabeth and Jane cleared at the Custom-house London for Launceston on the 20th April.

The Phoebe has brought ninety tons sugar from the Sandwich Islands. She has met with very heavy weather during the last fortnight and having sprung the head of her foremast, put into Trial Bay to fish it, where she remained three days. The schooner Matilda reported ashore there a short time since, had gone entirely to pieces. The schooner Lady of St Kilda had been sold at Tahiti for £1200. Capt Jackson and family had proceeded on to Valparaiso.

ENGLISH SHIPPING—The Constant, hence 23rd December, arrived at Gravesend the 22nd April. The Mona from Launceston, arrived off Deal the 21st April. The Montezuma, hence 18th November, touched at St Helena on the 17th February and sailed again for London the following day. The Nelson left Gravesend for New Zealand on the 22nd April; same day, the Leander left Shields for the Mauritius and Hobart Town, and the Elizabeth and Jane sailed from Gravesend for Launceston. The Lord William Bentinck for Port Phillip arrived at Plymouth from Gravesend on 23rd April. Sir G F Seymour has been appointed to the Collingwood as a Rear Admiral on the South American station. The Eweretta, from London for Sydney touched at Portsmouth April 23.