VOYAGE OF THE "MIDLOTHIAN."

Lyttelton Times, Volume I, Issue 40, 11 October 1851, Page 5

VOYAGE OF THE "MIDLOTHIAN."

The Barque "Midlothian," 530 tons, new measurement, chartered by the Canterbury Association, and commanded by Capt. Joseph Gibson, sailed from the Downs on Sunday, June 22, having on board 31* cuddy, 20 intermediate, and 77 steerage passengers, in all 128 souls ; of this number 53 were children under 14 years of age. She beat down the channel with a westerly wind, and on Wednesday evening was off the Start Point, the last land seen between the British Channel and the Cape of Good Hope. Passed to the westward of Madeira on Wednesday, July 6, and to the westward of the Cape Verd Islands on the 15th. The passage through the Tropics was unusually pleasant, the thermometer never rising above 81 degrees, and that only for a few hours on one day. On the 24th fell iv with the S.E. Trade, and crossed the Line on the evening of the same day. On the 28th the moon was eclipsed, and ,the ship encountered some heavy squalls, during one of which she lost her main-top-sail yard. The furthest western longitude reached was 29. 30. On Sunday, Aug. 24th, made the Cape land. Wind then shifted to the south, and on the26th veered round to the north. On Sept. 1., the ship being- in lat. 40. 30. S., and long. 40. E., the weather became very unsettled, strong winds blowing alternately from N.W. to S.W. and heavy gales at times. On the Bth of Sept. encountered a very heavy gale, which became a hurricane on the morning of the 9th, when the ship was hove to, her close reefed fore-top-sail, under which she was scudding, having been blown to ribbons. The gale having moderated, she bore up again, and after a succession of strong winds from N.W. to S. W.,made Stewart's Island, fon Friday, Oct. 3. (] 03 days from the Downs), and passed on a fine moonlight night inside the Traps. The extreme southern latitude reached before nearing the coast of New Holland was 40. 41., which was gradually increased until she rounded Stewart's Island. Light and variable winds on the three following days, when the ship stood in within three miles of the coast. On Tuesday the 7th, being then offßanks's Peninsula, and within a. few hours' sail of Port Lyttelton, a purse containg 15/. 12s. 6d. was presented to Captain Gibson by the Cuddy and Intermediate passengers, with a request that on his return to England, he would purchase a piece of plate as a memorial of their gratitude for his unvarying kindness during the voyage. At the same time the following letter was placed in Captain Gibson's hands, signed by the whole of the Chief Cabin and Intermediate passengers. Barque " Midlothian," off Port Lyttelton, New Zealand, Oct. 7, ISSI. Dear Sin, —We, the undersigned, passengers from London to Port Lyttelton in the Barque '•'Midlothian," cannot separate without offering you the expression of our warmest thanks i'ov the kindness which we have uniformly experienced at your hands during the voyage". Should it be the will of "Providence that you ever re-visit Port Lyttelton, we need hardly "say what sincere pleasurre it will give us to renew an acquaintance begun under such happy auspices. Meanwhile, it is our earnest prayer, that He who has hitherto preserved you through the varied perils of a seaman's life, will grant" you a safe return to England, and a happy meeting with those who are most dear to you. —We remain, dear Sir, your faithful & obliged servants. Joseph Gibson, Esq., Commander of the Barque " Midlothian,"