EARLY SHIPPING DAYS.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 17217, 7 December 1923, Page 10

EARLY SHIPPING DAYS.

VOYAGES FROM THE OLD COUNTRY.

TALES OF THE EMIGRANT j 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 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 consists of extracts from the early tiles. ARRIVAL OF THE PEERESS. From the “ Lyttelton Times," July 24, 1874. Arrived —July 23, Peeress, ship, 780 tons, Miller, from London, with 280 Immigrants. This ship arrived in harbour yesterday, having worked up 'as far as Camp Bay against an ebb tide, where she anchored. Tomorrow morning she will be towed higher up the harbour by the s.s. Moa. She is by no means a handsome ship, and having met with heavy weather on her passage, more especially a severe gale in the Bay of Biscay, she presents a great contrast to the Eastern Monarch. The immigrants. who are bound for Timaru, appear to be a very suitable lot for the requirements of that district, or indeed, for any. They consist principally of bona fide agricultural labourers, with a sprinkling of mechanics, and of good, healthy, strong, country girls, who look as if they could work. In spite of the long and tedious passage, the immigrants speak in the highest terms of the great kindness and consideration shown them by the captain and officers. Mr John Smith, a delegate from the National Agricultural Farmers' Union, was a passenger, and expresses himself as generally pleased with the arrangements on board. He has come to reside in the colony. There were six deaths and four births during the passage. The following is the captain’s report: Left the S.W. India Dock on March 27, having embarked the immigrants the previous day; left Gravesend on the 29th, and anchored in the Downs. Owing to heavy weather, did not leave until April 5. when the ship was taken in tow, and finally took her departure from the Start Point on April 11, the wind being strong from the north to north-east. It increased, rounding to N.W., and then S.W., increasing in strength until reaching a heavy gale, accompanied with terrific squalls and high seas, the ship rolling and straining heavily once taking large quantities of water on deck. At 2 p.m. on the same day, the gale continued to increase, and the ship bore to the N.E. At 4 pm. it was blowing a terrific hurricane, and tile fore-topsail was blown away. At 5 pm. the main topsail was blown to ribbons, the ship at the time rolling severely, and the seas washing the decks fore and aft. Weather continued bad until the 14th, and at 2 p.m. on that day the vessel shipped a heavy sea, which carried away the top-gallant bulwards and main rail on both sides of the vessel, and lost a portion of the lower bulwarks, the main hatch and winch being smashed to pieces, and the. deckhouse being stove in. In the afternoon the gale abated. Madeira tvas passed on April 27. The N.E. trades were light, and the meridian was crossed on May 16. The eastings were run down in 4deg. 50min. Sighted the Island of Palma on June 2. When in lat. 23 deg. 2-min S.. long. 19deg. 53min. W., the ship was surrounded with water spouts, one passing within fifty yards of her, and having a most destructive appearance, also accompanied by a violent whirlwind. The ship was kept off, and she steered clear of the danger. A gun was fired, which had the effect of dispersing the most dangerous water spout, and violent showers of rain followed. The meridian of the Cape was passed on June 14. the wind at this time blowing a heavy gale, with confused seas. One sea struck the ship, staving in the port side of the deck house. And thence to passing the meridian of Tasmania experienced a succession of heavy gales, accompanied with heavy squalls of hail and snow. Passed the meridian of Tasmania in lat. 48deg. 36 min. S. Thence to within fifty miles of the Snares had strong W. and Vv TV. winds.' The Snares were sighted on July 18, 103 days out from the Start. A strong gale was experienced on the coast, a portion of the port bulwarks being stove in. On Monday Jhly 20, another gale from the S.S.W., accompanied with squalls of hail and snow, was experienced. The land being in sight, stood in next dav, but the weather was so bad that the captain deemed it best to come on to port.*- and Godley Heads were sighted at noon on Wednesday, odr