EARLY SHIPPING DAYS.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 17182, 27 October 1923, Page 8 (Supplement)

EARLY SHIPPING DAYS.

VOYAGES FROM THE OLD COUNTRY. TALES OF THE EMIGRANT SHIPS. The romance anil some of the hardships of the early shipping daya of ITsw JBaaland are recalled In the series of articles now being' published in 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 voyages in the sailers of the ’fifties, ’sixties and ’seventies. The article printed to-day oonsi3ts of extracts irom the early files. THE ZEALANDIA. (Continued) From the “Lyttelton Times,” December 24, 1870. The fine clipper ship Zealandia, commanded by Captain James White, late of the Blue Jacket, and more recently of the Charlotte Gladstone, arrived in our harbour yesterday, and anchored off the town at 2.30 p.m., after a passage of ninety days, or eighty-seven from land to land. Soon after the ship was signalled the agents chartered the 5.9. Halcyon to go down to her, and at 1 p.m. the health officers, his Honor the Superintendent, and a large party embarked, but as the ship had a fine leading wind, the steamer only proceeded as far as Camp Bay and awaited her arrival. On the steamer running alongside the customary questions were, replied to, and the vessel was declared free. On going on board the visitors were heartily welcomed by Captain White. Everything was found in admirable order- By the courtesy of Mr Marsh, emigration agent, our reporter was allowed to inspect the ’tween decks which were a pattern of cleanliness, and we must give the Highest praise to the captain and his officers for the admirable condition of the ship. One and all speak in the highest praise of them, and the testimonials presented to them fully bear out this. The class of emigrants brought out is very superior, and there is no doubt of them obtaining good situations. The galley and cooking apparatus has worked well throughout the passatre. Mrs Carroll comes out as matron. Dr Bratt is the surgeon superintendent. The Zealandia left Gravesend on .September 23. O-i September 205 off Start Point, she saw a French war steamer, a privateer which showed colours and saluted. She crossed the equator on October 31. and the meridian' of the Cape_ of Good Hone on November 24. On November 30 she passed an iceberg about 60ft high. It appeared very ancient. like one of last year’s. On December 19 she passed south of the. Snares, which were not in, s : ght. The! same day she saw a ship steering in the same direction as ourselves. On i December 20 saw the land hearing W.X.W. Passed the Nugget Point at 6 p-m. and Dunedin at 9.30 p.m- Sent up rockets and burnt biro lights while in sight of the town. Off Cape Saunders at 11 p.m.. Otago lighthouse was S.W. eight or nine miles. At 6.30 p.m. tacked off Oamaru in eleven fathoms of water, wind steady from N.X.F. December 23. anchored at 2 p-m. Had three births and four deaths during the voyage, the latter being of two infants and two adults Had no casualties. and experienced fine weather nearly the whole passage. The emigrants enjoyed excellent health, and their conduct was high I v commendableBetween the Cape of Good Hope and New Zealand in seventeen consecutive days the Zealandia ran the extraordinary- distance of 5044 miles, averaging 296 3-5 miles ner diem, nearlv twice the distance f-om (Queenstown (Ireland) to America, thus proving herself to be one of the fastest shins afloat. Tn December in ten days the Zealardia ran 304)0 mdes. A testimonial signed by the cabin passengers and another signed by ell the were presented to Captam White. ARRIVAL OF THE CHARLOTTE GLADSTONE. From the “Lyttelton Times,’ - ’ January 31, 1871. The Charlotte Gladstone, commanded by Captain •James r ox, late or me ship England, arrived off Godley Heads yebceruay at o a.in-, out u\uug to ».*» . winds and ebb tide was obliged to anchor, alter a passage ot ht-vemy-sn days from land to land, and eighty-two da vs from the Start Point to trie heads. Un arrival of the midday train from Christchurch the p.«. Novelty, with the health and immigration officers and a number of visitors, left tii4 breastwork and proceeded down to the ship, which was anchored about two miles outside off the north head. On arrival alongside the customary questions being satisfactorily answered the vessel was declared free- On going on board all were heartily welcomed by Captain Fox and by the courtesy of Mr Marsh, our reporter was allowed to inspect the whole of the emigration compartments, and found them a pattern of cleanliness. The single girls’ cabins were especially worthy of notice and showed that great attention had been paid to this part of the ship. The married couples’ compartment was very satisfactory. and indeed we may add that the entire ship showed that the greatest credit was due to the captain and officers- We notice amongst the latter Mr Winter, chief officer, formerly of the ship Blue Jacket. The Charlotte Gladstone left the docks on November 4. crossed the equator on the 30th. On December 10 was boarded by the captain of the barque Transit, from San Francisco, and was supplied with stores. Letters were also sent Home by her. On Christmas Day the vessel passed the meridian of the Cape of Good Hope, fifty (lays ou.t. On

January 25. with light winds, the ship was tacked between Stewart Tsland and the Middle Tsland. On the 26th. when off the Bluff, signalled to be reported at Christchurch ; got clear of the Straits the same evening. Had light airs and calms on the 28th until 4 p.m.. when the wind shifted to the S.W.. blowing strong. On the 29th the vessel was becalmed. She. was off Akaroa at 8 p-m. on Sunday and made the heads at 6 a.m- yesterday and anchored. Testimonials were presented to the captain and surgeon-superintendent. Captain Fox shipped on board nine hares, but of these only three have survived the voyage.