ARRIVAL OF THE MERCIA.

Auckland Star, Volume XIX, Issue 138, 12 June 1888, Page 4

ARRIVAL OF THE MERCIA.

We announced in last evening's issue the arrival of the barque Mercia from London. She is a vessel of 751 tons burden, and is chartered by the New Zealand Shipping Company from the owner, Mr T. Hick of Scarborough. She has visited this port before, some nine years ago, when she was commanded by the same skipper who is now in charge of her—Captain T. Mosey. She brings no passengers, buthas a large goneraf c~argo7"parti-uTai-s''bTwhich wo published in last* evening's Star. Captain Mosey reports of the passage :—Tho Mercia left the London Docks on March Ist and dropped clown to Gravesend, where her powder was taken on board, and she sailed on March 2nd. Next clay the tug was cast off at Dungeness, and the barque proceeded down the Channel, having light winds from tho S.W. Lizard Point was passed on tho sth March, and moderate S.W. winds prevailed till the 16th, when the N.E. trades were met with in 37 cleg. 14min. VV. These proved very light, aud failed in 4 deg N. In the doldrums calms and baffling airs retarded the vessel's progress, Cape San Antonio being passed on March 24th and the Equator crossed on April 6th in 29 de°\ W. Next day, however, the S.E. trades were fell in with in 2 deg, S. Under the influence of these winds, which proved strong and lasting, the vessel ran down to 19 dog. S., after which a spell of light, baffling weather prevailed till April 16th. The easting was begun about the 43rd parallel, bufc adverse winds drove the ship further south, and on the 18th April, in 46 deg. S., a strong easterly gale' with very heavy confused seas was encountered, in which the barquo behaved admirably. A succession of fresh easterly winds then prevailed, and slow progress was made ; the vessel only covered ten degrees during seven days when between the Crozets and Kerguelen Island. Cape Leeuwen was sighted on the 21st May, and the southern point of Tasmania passed on the 31st. Across to the New Zealand coast strongS.S.E. and S. winds were experienced till the Three Kings were sighted on the Bth instant, the Poor Knights being passed on Saturday. Afc 7 p.m. on Sunday the vessel was off Tiritiri, and the Awhina was met yesterday shortly after noon, and the Mercia brought into port as above, after a passage of 101 days. Although meeting with contrary winds as detailed, the Mercia mado some first-class runs, her best record being 320 miles, while on May 23rd she accomplished 310 miles in 24 hours, and two days later 302 miles. On April the 18th, the ship Eurydice, 40 days oub from Melbourne fco London, was spoken.