South Australian Register (Adelaide, SA : 1839 - 1900), Tuesday 5 December 1865, page 3


MARINE BOARD.

Monday. December 4.

Present— The President, Captain J. W. Smith, and Mr. J. M. Linklater. A letter was received from the Treasury, returning Bv-law No. 46. which had heen rnnfirmwl hv

Bis Excellency and gazetted, rescinding clauses 17, 18, 19, and 20 of Bylaw 14, respecting the qualifications of pilots, and providing that in future the pilots at Port Adelaide shall be in one class, and no limit as to number shall hereafter exist ; also, that all pilots at present holding second-class licences shall, on passing such examination as the Marine Board may require, be deemed competent to pilot vessels of any draught of water. A memorandum was received from the UnderTreasurer, stating that considerable amounts having appeared in the Marine Board's contingent charges for fittiugs in cabin of Flinders, the lreasurer requested that a return might be forwarded showing purchase-money and subsequent expenditure on the vessel, and enquiring whether any further outlay in the nature of fittings was contemplated. The President stated that nothing further was required, and the Secretary was instructed to prepare the retnrn. A Treasury minute was received, returning correspondence in reference to the duties hitherto performed by the emigration officer being undertaken by the police officer appointed by the Commissioner of Crown Lands to muster the passengers of outgoing steamers, and enquiring under what arrangement the boarding and travelling charges are to be provided. The Secretary stated that Mrs. Manson's contract provided for landing the emigration officer for outward-bound steamers. The Foreman of Works reported the raising of 927 tons of silt by the dredge during the week, and on the employment of men on various works. He also forwarded requisition for materials for bell buoy tor the Wonga Bank. The President suggested that two buoys be prepared to be placed on the Port Wakefield Spit. He also proposed some improvement in the red light exhibited at the Semaphore Jetty. A letter was read from the Town Clerk of the Corporation of Port Adelaide, applying for about 10,000 tons of silt to enable the Council to complete the embankments now in course of formation to protect the town from inundation; also drawing attention to a letter from the Chief Secretary, dated June 9, which (rives the Corporation three-fourths of the silt raised by the dredge until the Port embankments are completed. Captain Smith said he had ascertained that the opinion of the Treasurer was that the silt would be supplied until the banks were completed. The President pointed out the difficulty experienced by vessels in procuring ballast, and thought the Board should be reserved the right to supply silt for ballast

Captain smith Had no objection to vessels having the silt for ballast, but thought it undesirable to encourage its use, as experience had shown that it was unsuitable. He would rather the Government would afford facilities for the supply of cheap stone ballast. After some further discussion the Secretary was directed to forward the letter to the Treasurer. A letter was received from Pilot R. H. Barrett, reporting that he boarded the ship Seafield at 2 o'clock on Saturday morning, when she was at anchor close in shore. At 9 a.m. she touched aft, and hung for about an hour, the master by his advice having gone ashore for a steamtug, on arrival of which she was towed to the proper anchorage. The Secretary to request the Harbour- Master to enquire the reason the ship was. not boarded earlier, and why the pilot advised the captain to leave the vessel; after which an investigation would An application was received from O. A. Brown for a pilot's licence. ... , The applicant to comply with usual require^letter from Mr. Tait, Harbour-Master, Victor Harbour, reported some alteration in the bar at the Murray-mouth. , . ^ , . The evidence taken by the Board, appointed to investigate the dispute between the lightkeepers at the MacDonnell Lighthouse was laid upon the table. The President explained that Mr. Germein had always kept the lighthouse in admirable order, but it was evident there was a want of discipline. He suggested that the Head Keeper change places with the Head Keeper of the Troubridge Lighthouse, and that the Second Keeper be removed to some other station. The expenses of the removal to be borne by the offending parties. The Harbour-Master reported that the Cassina, in getting under weigh on Friday, it blowing hard from the S. W. at the time, fouled the Yatala , s mainyard, carrying away the truss-bolt of that vessel and both her own topsailyards and tneena of the mainyard-the vessel at the time being in charge of the master, who holds a certificate ot exemption for pilotage. . , A letter was also read from Captain Bickers, owner of the Cassina, requesting an enquiry to be made respecting the cause of the damage, as the vessel wa3 under the charge of the Assistant Harbour-Master when the accident occurred. The Board at once proceeded to investigate the matter, and the Haibour-Master and his Assistant and Captain Dalziel, were examined, and it was. found- ' That the master was in charge ; that the HaxEour-Master unmoored the ship, and having donevso bis responsibility ceased, the master holding a certificate of exemption, was then in charge and responsible. That the Harbour-Master had stated to the master that the weather was too bad to move the ship in, and that contrary to tbU advice he determined to go to sea. Under these circumstances the Board acquit the HarbourMaster from blame.' . .. „ ,„.„ The appointment of a successor to the W Daptajn Mordaunt, Magazinekeeper, was deferrett till next meeting. The Hoard then adjourned.

Narrow Escape fro« Drowning.— A very narrow escape from drowning occurred yesterday afternoon at Glenelg. A little boy, son of Mr. Stevenson, teacher, Glenelg, was on the Jetty fishing in company with a few lads of his own age, who induced him to go to the bottom of the inner steps. Soon afterwards he overbalanced himself, f alUnginto the water, at that time seven or eight feel deep. Had it not been for the presence of mind ana courage of Mrs. Charles Burnett, who immediately rushed down to his assistance, the poor little fellow would have lost his life, as the whole of hiB companions were completely panic-struck and unable to render the slightest assistance.— Camm.unir.attd.