THE WAIMATE.—FAST SAILING.

Auckland Star, Volume XXV, Issue 224, 19 September 1894, Page 4

THE WAIMATE.—FAST SAILING.

It is seldom of late years tbat we have any sailing ships coming into port direcb from the United Kingdom, all our merchandise coming forward in " ocean tramps," and when we do have sailing vessels direct from Home, we usually allow 100 days for tha passage. It was a considerable surprise, therefore, in shipping circles when the ship Waimate made port yesterday afternoon, 88 days out from Glasgow, Captain Worster, who is in command, reports that the ship left her porb of loading on June 22nd last, aud met with fine weather down the Channel, which was left behind en the 27th of the same month. The line was crossed on July 23rd, in long. 28deg west, and. the southeast trades, which were picked up a few days later, were exceptionally strong, the wind coming in almost 'a gale from the southeast. Tho ship was close off tbe Brazilian Coast for a couple of days. Tho meridian of Greenwich was crossed on the llth of August, and five days afterwards the meridian of tbe Cape was left behind. On the 3rd intst., Cape Leuwin was abeam, and on September 7, thick dirty weather was encountered, which lasted two days. The nexb day, the 10th, the Waimate passed south of Tasmania, and on the 17th the North Cape was rounded. The run down tbe Coasb was a very smart one, over 12 knots an hour being logged from tho I'oor Knights till dropping anchor off the Queen-street Wharf, shortly before 5 o'clock last evening. The passage from Glasgow to port was therefore as above stated SS days, and from land tv land, that is from the Scilly Islands to Cape. Maria, 82 days, which is exceptionally good time. Tho Waimate is one of the best known of bhe New Zealand Shipping Company's line of clipper sailing ships, she having visited this port on many occasions. The lasb one was about three years ago, when she was under command of Captain Canese, who is now bn tho Otarama. Captain Worster, who is aleo well known at this port, has charge this trip, and has with him as chief officer Mr Fraser, late of the Kaikoura, and formerly of the Waitangi. Tho ship, which is in excellent order, was towed to a. berth ab Quay-street jotty bhis morning by tho p.e. Eagle, where on discharge she loads for London.