SHIP SOUKAR, FROM LONDON.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 3492, 20 June 1879, Page 2

SHIP SOUKAR, FROM LONDON.

The Soukar arrived at an anchorage off Bipa Island, in tow of thep.s. Lyttelton, at 9.30 a.m. yesterday, all well. The steam iannch Lyttelton, with the agents of the vessel, reporters, and others, was soon alongside, and all received a hearty welcome from Captain Croker, who has heen appointed to the command of the Soukar. The passage has been eminently a fine-weather one, and with one or two exceptions the sea has been as Bmooth as that in the Channel on a fine summer's diy. This fine woather was met with until the Snares were made, on Jnne 14, since whioh time heavy seas and disagreeable weather have been the order of the day. The barometer throughout never ranged below 30 until tho Snaros wore passed. The westerly winds were noticeable by their almost entire absence, there being but very little wind from that quarter, and what there was extremely light. The Equator was crossed 33 days out from Gravesend, the meridian of the Cape 67 out, and the Snares 100 from land to land. The general health of the passengers has been exceedingly good throughout the passage, and all spoke in high terms of praise of the kindness tnd attention shown them by Captain Croker, who was the reoipient of two testimonials, in wh'ohwero expressed the esteem in which he waa held by his passengers. One birth took placo on board on April 20, when Mrs M'Dermot was safely delivered of a daughter. One death occurred among the orew, that of the sailmaker, Louis Corleur, on June 10, from natural oausea, and he was buried on the following ■day. On May 18 a dead body was passed, evidently that of a man who had fallen from aloft. He was dressed in a blue shirt or jumper. On May 27 a boat was passed floating bottom up. She was sharp at both enda, and seemed to have been in the water for some time. On March 29 spoke H.M.B. Volage in 3 north 24.17 ■west, and sent letters home by her. On May 16 spoke the ship Otago, bound for Otago, in 45.27 south 59.47 east, 68 days out ; saw her again on Juno 4, and passed her on Juno 9 in 49.30 south 154.37 east. ± , , „ . . Bespeoting the ship's fiu-iage, the following is the report kindly furni.'lw.l by Captain Croker. Loft tho East India Doclis, London, at 5 p.m. on Feb. 27. Anchored at Gr< rnbithe to nrtjußt compasses, and next day proceeded to Gravesend to take in powder. Left th*ro on Warch lat 6 a.m., and towed down the river ; oast off from the tusr at tiio South Foreland, and made nail with a light north-east wind. Experienced fresh westerly winds down Channel, and passed the Start at noon on March 6. Had light south-east and easterly winds across the Bay until off Madeira, then south-west and westerly winds to meeting with the north-east trades in 23.50 north, whioh proved moderate. Sighted Han Antonio on March 23, distant about 40 miles, and lost the trades in 7.30 north. Had light easterly winds to crossing tho Equator on April 2 in 24.30 west, 33 days From Gravesend ; thence light south-east winds and heavy rains to falling in with the Bouth-east trades in 1.40 south, Theses also proved moderate, with very fine weather. Tossed between Martin Voas Book and the Island of Trinidad at midnight on April 10, and lost tbo trades next day, thence met with north north-eaßt and westerly, winds until reaching 38deg Bouth and Bdeg east, when |freeh south-east and easterly winds were encountered, Listing for seven days. Passed the Meridian of the Cape in 45deg south on May 8, 67 days out, and then met with moderate northerly and north north-east winds with smooth sea until off Tasmania on Jnne 4, when calms and light airs sneoeeded for the next three days, followed by easterly and north-easterly winds to making the Snarss on Juno 14, at 7 p.m.,100 days from land to land. Experienced strong northerly and north-west winds off Stewari/s Island, with heavy cross sea. South-west winds and heavy tains prevailed up the coast as far a3 tho Peninsula, with north-east swell and vory low barometer. Was off the Peninsula on Jnne 17, and had to stand off until daylight next day,, owint? to very thick weather. Sighted East Head at daylight on June 18, and had light south-woat and variable winds round tha Peninsula. Sighted the Headß on Wftdaesday afternoon, and was off tnem mat night, arriving at an anohorago yesterday morning. . The Soukar brings a large general cargo, and comeß consigned to Messrs Edwards, Bennett an"* Co. The usual notice to consignees appears elsewhere.