AN OCEAN RACE.

Press, Volume LII, Issue 15746, 13 November 1916, Page 9

AN OCEAN RACE.

— * FROM SAX" FRANCISCO TO XEW ZEALAND. The anxiously-awaited arrival of th© Scales barque Louisa Craig, which, recently engaged in a race between San Francisco and Now Zealand with tho American sailing fihip Golden Gate, took place at Lyttelton yesterday, when, tlio vessel sailed past Adderley Head at G. 40 a.m., and shortly afterwards dropped anchor in the stream. Particular interest wae centred in the event aa both vessels are famous for their turn of epeed. Tho Golden Gate arrived at Auckland after a jiaisapo of 18 dava, and is now at Wellington. Although the New Zealand vcflae! occupied 6omo 53 days to reach Lyttelton, it is claimed for her tltai ehe won the | r«/co, bavins arrived oil tho coast much farther south in the eame time Jifl that occupied by tbe Golden Gate to roach Auckland. Particulars of tho voyage were obtained from the master, Captain Kennedy, yesterday by a representative of "Tlio Presfi." The Louisa Critic took her departure from Pan Francisco on September 19th at 1 p.m., and for the first few da-yB experienced light winds and calms. On reaching tho > T .K. trade winds, which ivcro light throughout, tho vessel made better progrceft, and crossed the Equator on October 17th, being^then 23 days out on her voyage. The S.E. trades were found to be freaher, and when the v<sBe! was in latitude 22.57, longitude 1G5.19 TV., the winds changed to S.W., and increased greatly in strength. Southerly and weeteilj winds prevailed until November Ist, followed by moderate S.E. winds, lasting till November 7th. At noon on the latter date the New Zealand coast was picked up- for tho first time, tlio land sighted being Portland Island. For tho remaining days of tho vovagn fresh westerly, southerly, and nor*-east winds were experienced, .andAdderley Head was sighted at 1.30 a.m. yesterday. •While off Cape Palliaer at 6 p.m. on the 9th instant, Captain Kennedy endeavoured to report liimsclf, but hi 3 signals were not answered. Regarding the respective times registered by tho Golden Gate' and 'the Louisa Craig, Captain Kennedy pointed out that the latter vessel picked up tlie coast of New Zealand fully a day's sail beyond Auckland in tlie same timo tho Golden Gate took to reach the northern port. It may therefore be assumed that tho Louisa Craig put up the better and faster jjerformance. Ho feels certain that had Auckland keen his destination instead of Lyttelton, he would liave made arrival in 47 days. Tlie actual distance accomplished was 6855 miles, and the best, day's sailing saw 213 miles, regisered. The performance is a creditable one in view of the fact that tho vessel is at present in a dirty staio, her bottom being overgrown with barnacles since elie was docked in February last, and it being understood that tlio Golden Gate, besides being much large;, ia in eplck and span condition.

Speaking of the passages made, between New Zealand and America, Captain Kennedy says that owing to the numerous vicissitudes to be passed through speedy voyages should not always be expected. For instance, tho distance between, Auckland and the Sandwich Islands, about 5300 miles, was generally cut out in good time, but thenceforward a series of calms ar.d drift militated against speed. The barque recently arrived off the Sandwich Islands from Auckland after a smart performance of 25 days, averaging from 200 to 37G milea por day. After that, however, although only 1800 miles had to be covered, 31 days passed before arrival was mado at Sail Francisco. In tho latter stretch the highest speed registered was 50 miles, and tho lowest 27 milefi. If clean, she would be e spec ted to take about ten days less -than she has done between San Francisco and New Zealand. and shotdd average about 250 miles daily instead of about 213.

Deispito her ago, the Louisa Craig is a smart-looking and clean ehip, and haa many epeedv passages to her credit. Some years ago «he sailed from Xewcaslie to Auckland in five days, and holds moet, if not all. of the sailing records between tlie Australian interstate ports. One of her longest trips waa that between Kaipara and Adelaide, on which occasion 6he was at sea. for 33 days.

Captain Kennedy has had thirteen years' nerv>e ae a master with the Craig Line, and has beer, in command of his present veese-l for eleven years. He has Mr J. Ohsen with him as mate, and Mr F. Lidraiark as second mate, tho crew numbering fifteen all told. The Louisa Craig brings the following cargo, all of which will be discharged at Lyttelton.:—3ooo cawe of motor epirita, 3000 cases of engine distillate, 10.000 cases of kerosene and 7351 cases of benzine. Her fuluie movement* are not yet announced. Th* Txmiss Ct*iet. -whone name ia to be chane*yi to Raupo before ahe leaves Lyttelton, will be towed into port to-da.v.