Dunedin's Loss Recalled In Borthwick History

Press, Volume CIII, Issue 30452, 28 May 1964, Page 15

Dunedin's Loss Recalled In Borthwick History

(Special Correspondent N.Z.P.A.)

LONDON, May 27. What became of the Dunedin, the 1320-ton iron ship which brought the first cargo of frozen mutton and lamb from New Zealand to London in 1882? After nine voyages she entered a race with three other ships to England for a sweepstake of £5O a ship. She sailed from Oamaru in March, 1890, with a cargo of meat and wool and a crew of 34, was seen once on the way to Cape Horn, and was never heard Of again. The mystery is recalled In “A Century In The Meat Trade,” written by Godfrey Harrison for Thomas Borthwick and Sons, Ltd., to record the history and development of the New Zealand meat trade and of the firm. A ScvL Thomas Borthwick left Edinburgh in 1863 to become livestock agent in Liverpool and Manchester.

He was one of the first men in England to see .the significance of the Dunedin, and also the Strathleven, bringing refrigerated food to Britain. His 18-year-old son bought a stall in Smithfield Market in 1892, and from then on the firm developed its trade with New Zealand and Australia.

Today, it is one of the main sellers of New Zealand lamb in Britain, and is also developing markets in other countries.

The family has many links with New Zealand, Mr Pat. Borthwick making his home there in 1929. Four of Thomas Borthwick’s grandsons are full-time directors of the company today, and three great-grand-sons are in the business.