A VENERABLE BRIG.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XLIV, Issue 13398, 29 January 1907, Page 6

A VENERABLE BRIG.

The arrival of the brig Kdward from Tasmania and Lyttelton on Saturday afternoon brings to mind the time when this rig ol vessel was a fashionable one in Australian and New Zealand waters, but they gradually disappeared until there are now only two left—the Edward and the Fairy Rock. The latter has been failing out of the port of Hobart for seme 40 years, and the present owner, Captain i'. A. Anderson, has laid the vessel up, and she now lies peacefully at anchor in Sandy Bay, after surviving countless storms on the turbulent ocean. What her future- will be has yet to be disclosed. The Fairy Rock has an interesting little history. She is a small vessel of lftd tons, and was built of stout English oak at Rye, Essex, towards the close of 1859. Her first voyage, as far as can be gathered, was to Sydney, where she was purchased by a Mr. Smiles, of that city. In 180-4 the vessel made her iirst acquaintance with Hobart, being then in command of Captain Darby, and was purchased by the late Mr. H. F. Armstrong. Captain .J. L. Wilkinson, who now resides in Montpelier Road, joined the Fairy Rock as mate, and shortly afterwards took command. After making a couple of voyages to Batavia the vessel was engaged in the intercolonial trade. In 1867 Captain K. .]. McFie, too!; command, and make a trip from Hobarl to Dunedin, thence to Australian ports. He was master of h--r for several years, and has been connected with the vessel, directly and indirectly, ever since 1876. It may be here mentioned that on one of the Fairy Rock's voyages to Batavia Captain Willed was in command. For a short time, about 1886, Mr. J. Hay owned the vessel, having bought her from Mr. Armstrong. Then Captain McFie purchased her for Mr. Slink, of South Australia, and subsequently rebought her for the late M l .-. J. S. Lee, of the North-west Coast. Once more the Fairy Rock changed hand-. Captain P. A. Anderson, son-in-law of Captain McFie, securing the vessel for himself. Captain Anderson was also master, having hern in command for the past four years. At Devonport, about six years ago. the Fairy Rock underwent extensive repairs, involving an outlay of nearly £1000. All the lining in the lower hold was removed, the frames made thoroughly good where necessary, and the vessel relined with lin Tasmania!! hardwood, sheathed to above the loadline with 2J,iri hardwood, am! otherwise strengthened. It is claimed for the Fairy Rock that she has mad.- the best round voyage of any vessel up to the present time, having gone from Southport to Adelaide and back in 24 days. Her last trip from Melbourne to Hobart was made in four days, which is accounted good going.