The EH. & A. steamer Guthrie, Captain McArthur, which arrived from Australia yesterday, reports having left Sydney at 1.30 p.m. on 21st January; Moreton Bay 1.30. a.m. on the 23nd, and arrived off Townsville at 4.30 pam. on the 25th, Up to a.m. of that day the weather had been fine and the wind moderate, when it became squally with a E.N.E. wind, but the barometer remained steady, 29.95. until] p.m., when the, wind increased and the glass fell rapidly. Tried to make port, but when 15 miles off it was blowing a furious cyclone with blinding rain and and continued to keep so until 6 a.m. next morning. At 7 p.m: 26th (Sunday) the jass_was 29.25, the wind being terrific, with high cross sea; ship labouring heavily and the seas washing away all moveable gear, also three boats. On the morning of the 27th wind decreased and at 11 a.m. ship was headed for port, anchi Magnetic Island: at 0.30. p. until next day, when communi held with the shore. Found that Townsville had been terribly wrecked with floods and wind and several people drowned, most of the lighters sunk, and the s. Leura badly damaged; also that the: America, which arrived when we did, had during the Feing on the lee side of it she got off in ale struck one of the Barrier reefs, but
eight hours and came to port. On Wednesday, the 29th, the weather clearing, proceeded again, calling at Cooktown and Thursday Island, leaving the latter port at 6 a.m. on the ud February. Left Port Darwin at 6 a.m. on the 5th and had fine weather to the morning of the 14th inst., when we experienced a heavy N.E. gale and high sea, lasting to port, arriving at the company's buoy, Hongkong, at 9 a.m. on the 16th inst.
The Guthrie also reports that she passed a schooner-rigged steamer painted green on: the afternoon of the 15th instant under sail alone, steering 8. W.—Daily Press, 17th February.
Text read from the printed page and cleaned; old type leaves the occasional error.