EARLY SHIPPING DAYS.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 17010, 7 April 1923, Page 6

EARLY SHIPPING DAYS.

VOYAGES FROM THE OLD COUNTRY. TALES OF THE EMIGRANT SHIPS. The romance and some of the hardships of the early shipping days of New Zealand are recalled in the series of articles now being published by the " Star ” relating to the early shipping days. Many people are interested in the . subject, as there are still many old identities with us, while thousands of citizens of the Dominion are descended from the old stock which braved the voyaged in the sailers of the 'fifties, ’sixties and 'seventies. The article printed to-day consists of extracts from the early files. THE VOYAGE OF THE DUKE OF PORTLAND. On Sunday morning, the 20th of June, the Duke of Portland left Gravesend (where she had been detained three days by the sudden withdrawal of Captain Cubitt from his agreement to take charge of the ship), and proceeded down the river under the charge of Mr Seymour, chief officer. Our Channel career *was rather tedious —off Margate the main topsail tye brought us to an anchor, and again off Deal baffling winds performed the same kind office. Feelings of anger and disappointment at Captain Cubitt’s conduct, mixed with not a little anxiety as to what hands we might fall into, were experienced by all, and it required all the good management shown by Mr Seymour to keep us in anything like comfortable order until we dropped anchor in Plymouth Sound on Sunday, June 27. Here we heard that a favourable answer had been received from Captain Alexander, who was hurrying down from Scotland to take charge of the ship that had been so suddenly thrust upon him, and on Tuesday, he having joined us, we weighed anchor and beat out of Plymouth Sound.

On Thursday, July 1, .we took leave of Old England, The Lizard being the last point sighted, and at 3 o’clock next day passed between Scilly and the Main. Rough weather, head winds and sea-sickness were our lot, and the old ship seemed to pitch and roll and shake her sides with laughter at the pitiable faces of the sufferers will be length she and the wind grew tired together, and we were allowed to make acquaintance with the pleasures of quietly and easily sailing along the smooth water and light winds. We had now a full opportunity of seeing into one another’s character, and it took us all a very few days to discover that we had a captain who was anxious and willing to do all that lay in his power for our comfort and enjoyment. At this instignation, chiefly a slight attempt at evening amusement was made and a newspaper and post office started. An almost utter destitution of contributions soon brought the newspaper to an untimely death, and as the business of the post office was a blank, that establishment naturally ceased to exist. Food for the body and not for the mind was the cry of the influential of the cuddy, and so the provisions were shortly made the centre point of political intrigue and commotion. A party of protectionists and liberals was formed—the one wishing for a gradual enjoyment of the good things on board, the other for an unlimited consumption. The captain, however, foresaw the future, and though he frequently exceeded the scale furnished by the Canterbury Association, wisely refused to gratify the desires of the minority. To this trifle, which must appear too ridiculous, must be attributed the greater part of the ill-feeling that has existed on board, and it does certainly seem a great pity that cuddy passengers could have made the comforts they enjoy above others a subject of discontent and ill-feeling, rather than of enjoyment and gratitude.

On July 9 we spoke the barque Agnes Blackie, from Ilfracombe to Port au Prince, and on the 12th signalised the barque Herald, from London to Valparaiso. Signalising H.M. Brig of War, the Ferrett, bound for Sierra Leone, and afterward boarding her. received by Captain McDonald, who furnished us with the latest intelligence we bring, dated July 3. The death' of John Comely on Friday, July 16, was a sad warning to many who had been too fond of basking in the sun. He was carried off by brain fever, and on Thursday, September 30, we lost another of our young men, Henry Smith, by the same illness. Too much care cannot be taken by entering a tropical climate, not to indulge in this dangerous practice. The bold, rugged appearance of Cape de Verde islands in general, with the .cloud-capped heights and beautiful shades formed by the deep gullies cf St. Antonio, were an object of great admiration. We had an excellent view of St. Antonio and St. Nicholas, and sighted several other islands. On Sunday, August 1, in speaking to the barque Oueen of the Wave, from London to Valparasio, our captain came across an old friend. Captain McLean. Invitations to dinner were offered, and the society of our ladies held out as an inducement, but a strong breeze of wind prevented Captain McLean from knowing that the old Duke possessed any other beauties than good sailing qualities, which enabled him to leave her majesty a long way behind.

On the same day we crossed the line, and on Tuesday Neptune, having signified his royal intention by the tar barrel post, came, on board. It seemed agreed by our tars that the old King, being defunct, his Son had succeeded—a clever fancy to account for the absence of the old fashioned, rough usage—for certainly a more gentlemanlike arid well conducted Neptune was never known. Two only of our number were found to absolutely require shaving. and the operation was almost tenderly performed. We experienced but little of the discomfort of the rainy season, and enjoyed much fine weather and pleasant sailing. Chir first gale of wind was on September 3, and now we made up our minds to be knocked abbut according to promise, from the Cape to New Zealand. At dinner it was catch who catch can, 4nd when he can, and the ravages’ made in the crockery soon taught us that a sauce boat of tea was not a whit less agreeable to the palate than a cup. When the ship pitched and rolled the first thought of each was: Is all secured in my cabin, and occasionally having turned in in moderate weather, one would find oneself summarily turned out and enjoying a quiet roll on the floor. Such things however, we had all expected, and some even preferred this active life to the lazy sailing of the tropics. Very little was to be done at this period of the voyage, looking out for Australian 1 birds, whales, and sea serpents, and was the principal amusement, until on Friday, October 15, we sighted Ratcha- : kow Island. Our feelings on sighting the land, of our future home were, I supose, what many have felt before j us, so a description would be of necesj sity hackneyed. I did not, however, j hear of anyone who was too strongly | affected to enjoy the delightful run up

the coast. On Sunday the 10th, we sighted Banks Peninsula, and at the same time killed the last member of our live stock, showing how wisely the Captain had acted in resisting the desires of appetities rendered voracious by the sea air. We were detained off the peninsula by head winds and calm till Wednesday, the 20th, when we entered Port Cooper Bay, and on Thursday morning ran up to our present anchorage. How well pleased we are with our ship and grateful to our Captain will best be seen by the enclosed testimonials. We have no space to publish the testimonials to Captain Alexander. They will, however, be duly appreciated | by the following reply to them : “To the passengers of the Duke of Portland—j “ The flattering testimonials I have j received from you add greatly to the j gratification that I feel in bringing my ' ship to a safe anchorage in Port Lyttelton. This feeling is also strengthened by my perfect conviction, judging from your good conduct during the voyage, that I have brought to this new country men who will be of the greatest service to the colony, and who, by their industry and perseverance, will ensure for themselves happiness and prosperity to the end of their days. That this may be the case is the sincere wish of your friend, James Alexander.”