ARRIVAL OF THE GOTHIC.

Poverty Bay Herald, Volume XXI, Issue 6899, 10 February 1894, Page 3

ARRIVAL OF THE GOTHIC.

A MAGNIFICENT VESSEL. Wellington, last ni/ I^. — The White Star liner Gothic, 7730 tons (Captain Jennings), which is under charter to the Shaw, Savill Company, arrived late this afternoon from London via Capetown and Hobart, and was berthed alongside the Queen's whar shortly after five o'clock. She is the largest vessel that has ever been m New Zealand waters, and her arrival was watched with considerable interest by crowds of people, who lined the wharves, and to whom she was an object of great admiration. The purser reports that the Gothic left Plymouth on December 30, but was unable to communicate with the shore at Teneriffe owing to bad weather. Capetown was reached on January 18, and Hobart on February 4th. The vessel ran into a fog on the New Zealand coast, which delayed her some hours. The best day's run during the voyage was 379 miles.. She landed 70 passengers at the Capei 35 at Hobart, and brings 95 for New Zealand. Her cargo for all ports m New Zealand consists oi 4000 tons. She carries a fall complement of 136 hands, and has a small job printing office aboard, where menus, and programmes of concerts, balls, etc., held on board, are printed. Mr W. S. Grave, son of the chief owner of the White Star line, accompanied by his wife, is making the round trip m the vessel for the benefit of his health. General Sir Mark Walker, V.C., X..C.8., and Lady Walker are among the passengers from the Cape, and Bishop Julius, of Christchurch, came from Hobart. The Rev. W. L. Brown, of Brisbane, the well-known temperance advocate, is a passenger from Home. In her cool chambers the vessel brought a shipment of parasites to the order of the New Zealand Government for the destruction of the Hessian fly. The Gothic will be thrown open for inspection to-morrow and Sunday and a charge made for admission, the proceeds to go to some locil charity. Before her departure from London she was thrown open to the public on 23rd December and a charge of Is levied or admission m aid of the funds of the Dreadnought seamen's hospital. The purser's report states that " the whole affair was a colossial success, and never before had such a number of visitors been seen on any vessel m the port of London. As the result of the day's proceedings the hospital benefited to the extent of £400." The Gothic is magnificently fitted up, and her arrival has been a source of considerable excitement to-day m shipping and commercial circles.