FAMOUS SCHOONER’S VISIT

Taranaki Daily News, 19 December 1933, Page 7

FAMOUS SCHOONER’S VISIT

HUIA DUE AT NEW PLYMOUTH. FINE SAILING RECORDS. A picturesque survivor of the days of sail, the schooner Huia, which is due at New Plymouth from Auckland to-day, presents a marked contrast to the steamships and motor-ships which constitute modem shipping. And what stirring memories, what wealth of anecdote, are connected with the name of this small, white-hulled sailing vessel!

Launched in 1894 from the yard of James Barber at Aratapu, the wooden topsail schooner Huia is generally acknowledged to be the fastest sailing ship engaged in the Australian trade. This reputation is amply justified by her remarkable record. Her greatest achievement was her famous passage from Sydney to Kaipara under Captain George McKenzie, the time being four days and six hours, a record for any type of sailing vessel which stands to-day. On another occasion the Huia left Newcastle (New South Wales), and in 48 hours she had logged 510 knots, a marvellous run for a small schooner. During this voyage she frequently attained a speed of 14 to 16 knots with every stitch of canvas set.

Since the wreck of the Joseph Sims in Bass Strait, the Huia has shared with the Alma Doepel the distinction of being the last topsail schooner engaged in the Melbourne trade, the peculiarity of the rig being the square sails on the foremast. At one time a busy port would be lined with vessels of this picturesque rig; now there are probably not more than a dozen in the waters of Australia and Nevz Zealand. On one voyage from Newcastle to Melbourne the Huia, scudding along at 14 knots, nearly ran down the Newcastle passenger steamer. Only the superb seamanship of Captain McKenzie averted an accident. It was a very dark night, and only six feet separated the two vessels. Recently the Huia came from Fremantle to Melbourne in eight days. The Huia, which is now owned by the Nobel Company, is engaged in the explosives trade between Australia and New Zealand. Her stay at New Plymouth will be short, probably not longer than a day, and in accordance with marine regulations governing the handling of her cargo, she will remain in the roadstead during that time.