ARRIVAL OF THE HELENSLEE.

New Zealand Herald, Volume VII, Issue 1901, 18 February 1870, Page 7

ARRIVAL OF THE HELENSLEE.

The ship Helenslee arrived on the 18fch ult., from London, after an average passage of 108 days from the Downs. The Belenslee -ailed from the Downs on the 2nd October, and experienced N.W. and W. <vind down Channel, taking her final departure from the Lizard on the 6th. The If.E. trades were picked up on the 21st October, in 28 ;le<;. IN"., and proved very light ; crossed the Equator on the Sthls'ovember, thirty-three days Prom the Channel, in 25 deg. W. long. Caught the S.B. trades on the 10th November, in 3 deg. 8., and carried moderate breeze to 29deg. S. α-om thence to the meridian of the Cape, which wu3 passed on the 6th December, experienced contary -winds ; ran down her easting on a parallel of 48 deg. 50 sec. 3outh, and was off Tasmania on the 7th

ultimo ; from this point to the Three Kings had fresh west and north-west winds, making ilie New Zealand coast'on the 15th ultimo, if tor a capital run of eight days from tho meridian of Tasmania; light variable winds and iine weather prevailed along the coast.

ARRIVAL OF THE CITY OF ATJCK LAND.

Tho new clipper ship City of Auckland arlived in harbour on tho 28th ultimo, after a \;0ocl passage of 98 days. The following is Captain Asnby's report:— The City of Auckland left GrareseDd on the XOth October, with a fresh breeze at N.W.; when off Margate the windincreosedto a strong gale from tho north. The now clipper sailed through tho Downs, leaving about 100 sail of vessels at anchor, some of which were flying of distress; a ti emendous eea running at tho time. While passing tho Goodwin Sands, a -vessel of about 800 tous register was seen to be driven on the top of thorn, through tho violence of the gale. On the 21st the wind fell light at N.W., and on the same evening the pilot was landed. The vessel then had a fine run down channel, and was clear of the land on tho following day. Experienced fine weather and fresh breezes till the 30th, when the N.E. trades were picked up in latitude 27 ° north, longtitude 22 ° west. On tho 6th November, when in 9° north, and 21 ° west, lost the trades, and from this till Jie 19 Ji had liglit Southerly win-ta and calms with a strong current setting to the north. On Hie 20th November croesed tho Equator in 25 deg. west long., when the S.E. trades were caught. They were carried to lat. 17 deg. S., long. 31 deg. W., and wore lost on tho 26th November. On the 29th of the same month, Mnrtin Yass Jlodks were s-ghted, and on the 30th snilcd out of the tropics, in 28 deg. W. long. On the 17th December rounded the Cnpe of Good Hope, in lat. 44 deg. S., and on the 26th of the same month, sighted theCrozeb Islands, and passed Hogg Island at a distance ot live miles. Here a good observation was obtained whiio passing, and Captain Ashby states that the latitude of Hogg Island is 46 dog. 30 inin. S., and the longitude 51 deg. 50 min. 13. Captain Ashby gives the position of this

aland, as some doabt exists as to the exact position of the Crozet Group. The position of these islands, both in Horsburg's ea-'lirig directions and charts wb'ch are on board the City, differ considerably both in latitude and longitude. Oα the 77i-h January the ship l-ounded Van Dicran's Land in 46 deg. S., being then e'iglity-seren daye out. She ran down her easting in -17 di-g. S., and had very unsettled wealhev with heavy i - a''n ; also, sore-al days calm and S. E. winds from about 90 (1 "g. east to Capo Lewin. On the 27th ulu'ino, nt 8 a.m s'gbtod Cape Maria Van Dieouan, and at noon passed the North Cape, wlfcH unsteady norbhorly winds and thick vairy weathe'-. Had fresh N.W. w-nds down the const, a')d anchored off R!ingtto'*o at 10 p.m. a"fer a good passage of 98 dajs. ; It will tl)i'.s bo seen that tlie run from Gvaveserd (o 9 do™. N. was made in the short space oc .""S dn-vs. A.t that point, however, in coDscqi'enco of ;"oul and light winds and ca'ms the ''sue was rot crossed until 32 days fioin Gavesend. N.E. and S.E. I ratio winds woie «(>o-A w'ii'ist they lusted, but failed the ship several degress before the usual lutitucle. the time that the -vessel was becalmed in 6 dog. N". ai? jmber of paasenjevs from the ship Ko-'t, Loodo'i to Melbourne, spent an afternoon O-α board the Cii.y. The Kent )efc Plyu)CniU on t'no seme day as the City left and the two vessels were a week in company in the do'd ■urns. Tbogreatesi; disiauce done in tlio twenty-four hours dii-ing tbo passage was 301 miJes, the next .'oojest rim beiag 293 miles. The total distance run from London was 15,55.1 miles.

Wo can only add that we sincerely wish our old and valued ''cj' . c-v prosperity and success in his now vessel, and trust that he wi'l meet with that hearty support which he deserves at the bonds of the shipping lirms of Auckland. May the advent of the first trudor named afte.- this cii.y, and bu'lt esrivesaly for her trade, on our aunivorsary day, be an auspicious omen, and nviy boi.h ehe and her commauder sail in company for many years to come, ever finding at the port of Auckland a full cargo and a hearty welcome.