EARLY SHIPPING DAYS.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 17013, 11 April 1923, Page 11

EARLY SHIPPING DAYS.

VOYAGES FROM THE OLD COUNTRY. TALES OF THE EMIGRANT SHIPS. The romance and some of the hardships of the early shipping clays 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 i lentities with us, while thousands of citizens of the Dominion are descended from the old stock which braved the voyages in the sailers of the ’fifties, ’sixties and ’seventies. The article printed to-day consists of extracts from the early files. FROM THE “LYTTELTON TIMES,” MARCH 19. 1553. Arrived—March 15, barque Tasmania. 502 tons. McMillan, from London, via Otago. Passengers: Mr and Mrs C. Jeffreys. Mr and Mrs 11. Jeffreys and child. Mr and Mrs Leech, Mr C. Leech, Miss Hunt. Mr and Mrs Oholmondeley and four children. Mr G. Cholmondeley, Misses Cholmondeley (2V, Mr and Mrs Rayner, Messrs Birch, Kennaway, Hilton. E. Gray, W. Grav, Devon, J. Boys. R! Roys' T. Dalgleish, A. Dalgleish, Pariour and Bluett, and fortyfive in the steerageThe Tasmania anchored in our harbour on Tuesday evening. bringing dates from England to November 3. The Tasmania arrived at Otago on the 26th ult., and we learn from the “ Witness ” that, she put into Madeira for a supply of water, and that a serious mutiny occurred there, the crew' refusing to proceed on the voyage or to weigh anchor. The latter difficulty was overcome by the prompt assistance of the passengers, and the mutiny was quelled by the firm and determined conduct of Captain McMillan. Afterwards. everything proceeded smoothly, the barque running from Madeira to Otago in 88 days. The Royal Albert arrived at Otago from England a few days prior to the Tasmania’s leaving for this port, and was bound for Wellington. Her dates are but. a few' days later, and in the absence of any papers we infer that nothing of any moment had occurred between the sailing of the two vessels. We regret to learn that owing to the continued prevalence of the wind from the north-east, the bar at Sumner has been impassable for the last fortnight, and but one coaster, and that by sustaining some damage, had succeeded in crossing. The owners of our coasting craft are sustaining serious loss by this intoward circumstance, and where the remedy is to be found, quien sabe? PROM THE “LYTTELTON 1 TIMJ?R,'’ APRIL 9, 1853. The barque William Hyde, 532 tons, Captain Applevhaite, sailed from Newcastle for this port on February 26 with 125 head of cattle, 35 horses and 712 sheep. Passengers: Mrs Applewhaite and two children, Messrs Halstead, Trinder and Singleton. The William Hyde is considerably overdue, the Hashemv having sailed three weeks later, and arrived here six days since. We are given to understand that there is little probability of his honour the judge being here for some weeks, owing to the Government brig having been ordered to Auckland. We need not dwell upon the injustice thus inflicted upon those now in jail, as it is but too patent. The blame does not rest with the judge, as he cannot be expected to charter a vessel to take his circuit. We believe that Mr Justice Chapman once did so to attend the Assizes at Nelson, when his expenses were disallowed- Besides, were his Honor to come down in a coasting vessel, he might be detained for weeks without an opportunity of returning to Wellington. It seems strange, that the brig is always employed elsewhere at the fime the sittings of the Supreme Court are appointed to be held in the provinces. There is a report that the brig is to be sold. The sooner the better, for all the convenience it affords the public.

The Mahomed Shah sailed from Gravesend on the 16th. and the Hampshire from The Downs on the ISth December, the former for Wellington and the latter for this port. We learn that Sir Thomas Tancred and family are on board the Hampshire. The tempestuous weather which seems to have prevailed in the English Channel will account for the prolonged voyage of the Hampshire. THE SHIP HAMPSHIRE.

FROM THE “LYTTELTON TIMES,” MAY 7, 1553. Arrived.--May 6, ship Hampshire. 627 tons. Reynell, from London. Passengers: Sir Thos. and Lady Tancred and six children. Mr and Mrs John Beswick and two children, Mr and Mrs Samuel Beswick and one child, Mr and Mrs Thomson and lour children, Mr Ferredy, Misses Ferredv (21, Miss Thompson, Messrs E- and F. Chapman, Durell. Fr\-, Whalley and Ilutton. for Canterbury. Intermediate: Mr Channon and three children, Mr and Mrs Browning. Mr Slithers, and Mr Hanford for Wellington, and fifteen in the steerage for this settlement. The Hampshire, 62 tons, Captain Reynell, anchored In our harbour yesterday morning. The Hampshire, left Gravesend on December 10. and, having been delayed in the Channel for several weeks by south-west gales, left Torbay on January 16. She. has had a favourable passage thence of 110 days, with the exception of a heavy gale off Desolation Island, where she was compelled to lay to, although the wind was fair. Stewart Island was sighted on April 28, and Port Cooper Heads early yesterday morning. The Hampshire brings thirty-nine cabin and intermediate passengers, and fifteen in the steerage, mostly all for this settlement. The cargo also, we learn, is chiefly for this port. THE GWALIOR. The barque Gwalior arrived in our harbour on Wednesday morning. We regret to state that Captain Davidson, the commander, threw himself overboard on April 16, being at the. time, we understand, in a state of delirium tremens. We had been for some time previous in this state, and on the morning in question he managed to evade the attention of those employed to watch him, and, suddenly starting up. threw himself overboard. Every effort was made to save him. but without success, the barque being hove to so suddenly as to place her in considerable danger. The present chief officer, Mr Taylor, is well known here from having commanded the Mary, of Nelson. The Gwalior, it may be remembered. was upwards of 200 days from England to Auckland, and we understand her unfortunate captain then underwent considerable mental anxiety, which lie endeavoured to alleviate byhaving recourse to stimulants. The following declaration has been made by Mr Taylor, the mate and several of the passengers and crew:—-“We declare, that about breakfast time on April 16,

the Gwalior, being then at sea in long. 158, lat- 33.30, Captain Davidson did, in the presence of Mr Thompson and others of the crew, jumped overboard, and that the barque was hove-to immediately. but before the lifeboat could be lowered in consequence of being hampered up with hay. the unfortunate gentleman disappeared. A stiffish breeze was blowing at the time of the catastrophe from W. by X. with a heavy sea running from the X*AY. with an S.E. swell.” The Gwalior has had a favourable run of twenty-one days from Newcastle, and has landed her ! stock in capital order and with trifling 1 loss. THE WILLIAM BROWSE. FROM THE “LYTTELTON TIMES,” MAY 21. 1853. The William Prowse has landed a large number of - sheep, horses and cattle in excellent order. The celebrated stallion Aaronite, however, died on the voyage. Late news from Eng- j land had been received at Sydney on the eve of the sailing of the William Prowse. We have no paper, however, nor have we learnt ought beyond the marriage of the French emperor to an Italian or Spanish princess, with some \ twenty baptisual names. [