THE OLD-TIME SAILER.

Grey River Argus, 25 June 1912, Page 2

THE OLD-TIME SAILER.

A writer in', the 'Auckland Star recalls isome untei'estiiig- happenings o» New Zeai and, coast. The old-nn^e sailer, which 'was for many jears N«w Zealand's only means of communication wilh the outer world is fast becoming a tilling icf the past, says the article. The vessels that landed the 500 pioneer settlers — the Duchess ol Argylo and the Jane diffoid — are no\\ lecalled only for historical reference, while possibly the immediate descendants of the passenger- jic all who have any knowledge of such vessels" as the Tuscan, .'Bombay, Shamrock, St George, Fifesh'ire, Osprey, Anne iof Arbroath, Thyne, Indemnity, Louisa, Campbell^ Ess«x, London, limandia Bolenoj IJn-on, Westminster, < Blenheim, Himilaya, Supply, New York, Packet Cholydra and Brougham, which arrived not long after tho first two ships in 1842.

Amrng the cargo cairies in more recent years were dhe Alcestia, -which is now ending hex days down the qo'ait ,is a hulk. tfhe Liara, after .makmg several trips between Auckland and London, enteied the intercolonial trade, and was sunk in colision at Dunedin. Sre "was afterwards refloated and rccommissioncd/f»but the vessel is now a hulk at Melbourne. HER WEIGHT IN GOLD. The bones are still m> lhe harbour of tihe btraig'ht-stemmed Rakish 'old vessel, the Senator. She was a woodci vessel, and it is considered tlhat -Jic must have been at least 70 years old when she was broken up recently. During the time she was in commission the Senator had borne remarkable experience round the American coast. She l^ft England -for California sat the 'pune the big goddmining rush had commenced in that country. The Senator was employed during those years in caaryiaig ore from the diggings, a-tid^it as estimated 'that s he earned freight on moie gold than any other vessel in the trade. After the rush had abated somewhat she came down to Auckland from California with a general cargp, and was for a time engaged in the less lucrative trade between Australia-/ and New Zealand. Eventually she was disrriaiitled and turned into a hulk for the Northern Co., but about a year ago hey timbers became too unreliable --even for thas .purpose,^ and ,she was sold to the^ Devonport Ferry Co., to be bqokeji-up. ~ ' v "■ - '