A SMART PASSAGE.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XXV, Issue 9143, 27 August 1888, Page 4

A SMART PASSAGE.

ARRIVAL OF THE CRUSADER

The best run of the season made by sailing ships from London to this port, was accomplished by the ship Crusader, of the Shaw, Savill, and Albion Co.'s line, which arrived on Saturday evening, the time from land to land occupying only 80 days, or S4 days from dock to port. She was signalled about 5 p.m. on Saturday afternoon, and picked up by the tug Awa about half-past seven, anchoring in the stream off the Queen-street \\ hart shortly after 10 p.m. The Crusader comes into port in splendid order and condition, her gear and hull showing but little traces of her having .hist completed a voyage of 16,000 miles, a fact which speaks highly of the care of her captain and officers. She is an iron vessel of 1058 tons, and is well known in Auckland, having made several previous visits to this port. Captain Pi rriam is still in charge of the ship, but the only oilieers who were with him on the vessel s last visit to New Zealand are .Mr. Wood, first officer, and Mr. Trainer, chief steward. In addition to a varied cargo of merchandise, valued at £36,500, the Crusader brings 12 saloon passengers. Of the passage Captain Perriam kindly supplies the following memoranda :—The Crusader left the East India Docks, London, on June 2nd, at 7 a.m., in tow oi the tug Cambria, and arrived off Deal about 6 p.m. the same evening. She cast off the tut: and proceeded under sail down the Channel (the wind being light from the north-cast) in charge of "the Channel pilot. She passed Portland Point about 5 a.m. on June sth, and the pilot left, the ship at 11 a.m. on the same day, when su.r: Poiut bore north eight miles from the v L -.-v- . The easterly* wind took the ship clear of the Channel, when she met a fresh south-west gale, which blew for two days, causing her to tumble about, to the great discomfort of the passengers. On the 9th June the wind veered to the northwest, enabling the ship to go southwards. She picked up the north-east trades on the 13th June in latitude 35 degrees north, longitude IS degrees west, but they proved very moderate, the ship not making much distance. Cape San Antonio was sighted on June 21st, and the vessel lost the trades on June 24th in latitude 10 degrees north, longitude 25 degrees west. The ship was worked through the 'soiith-west monsoons and crossed the Equator on the Ist July, in longitude 19 deg. 30 mill. W., 2!) days out. The S.E. trades proved fresh and squally, taking the ship to 22 degrees south latitude, 27 degrees west longitude. From thence to the Cape of Good Hope she had moderate changeable weather and heavy rains. She passed the Cape on the 24th July, in latitude 43 degrees south, 52 days out. From the Cape to 140 deg. east she did remarkably well, running the easting down chiefly in 44 deg. south. After passing the Crozet.s heavy showers of snow and hail were encountered. The best week's run was 1918 miles. At 140 deg. east the Crusader encountered light easterly winds for five daws, and consequently did not make much headway till passing Tasmania, when she fell in with moderate north-west and westerly winds, which brought her to Cape Maria Van Diemen at 9 p.m. on the 24th of August. Three hours later the North Cape was rounded, and the vessel made a quick passage down the coast, Cape Brett being abeam at 8 a.m. on the 25th, and the vessel was off Tiritiri at 5 p.m. Contrary winds being experienced, sail was shortened, and the vessel taken in tow and brought into the harbour as described above. The voyage on the whole has been a line weather one, no exceptionally heavy weather having been experienced, while the passengers and crew arrive in port in the best of health.

Messrs. Cruickshank ami Co., to whom the Crusader is consigned, inform us that the ship will probably be put on the return berth for London as soon as she has got out her inward freight. She will berth at the Wharf on Tuesday morning, when preparations will be at once make for unloading, and consignees are requested to have their entries and delivery orders in readiness, so that no delay may occur in the ship's discharge.