EARLY SHIPPING DAYS.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 17218, 8 December 1923, Page 7 (Supplement)

EARLY SHIPPING DAYS.

VOYAGES FROM THE OLD COUNTRY. TALES OF THE EMIGRANT SHIPS. TTie romance and some of the hardships of the early shipping days of Now Zealand are recalled in tho senes 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 aro descended from the old stock which braved the voyages in the sailers of the ’fifties, 'sixties and 'seventies. The article printed to-day consists ot extracts from the early files. ARRIVAL OF THE CATHCART. (From the Lyttelton Times,” August 31, 187-1.) Arrived. August 29—Cathcart, ship, 1357 tons, Crawford, from London, with 181 immigrants. This fine iron clipper ship, built by Mr Robert Steel, of Greenock, owned by George Adams and Co., and classed AAI, commanded by Captain Crawford, bringing 481 Government immigrants, was signalled on Saturday morning, and entered the Heads at noon. Captain Reed, pilot, boarded the vessel when she lay becalmed outside the Heads, about seven miles off the land. A light north-east breeze then sprang up, and enabled the ship to come up to an anchorage off Ripa Island, and anchored at 5.15 p.m. At noon tho Health Officers and Commissioner went down to the ship, which was at that time entering the Heuds. Off tho quarantine station the steamer ran up alongside the ship, which was then tacking un the harbour. After a brief interval she was cleared. On going on board it was evident that matters had been carried on well during the voyage, the ship presenting a very clean appearance. The usual inspection was made throughout the shin, n iid the Commissioners appeared to be well satisfied with the arrangements. Of the capacity of the shin for immigrants, nothing can be found fault with. ship is nearly new—four years old ; has been, employed in the India trade for two years, thence to Sydney. She has lofty ’tween decks, well lighted nnd ventilated. Her cabin has beeu bulkheaded for the use of the single girls, and the whole of the poop cabin has been converted into a hospital for the single girls. The ship is provided with a most commodious galley and has acted well.

There is also an excellent condenser on board, which has been able to supply the passengers. On inspection it Nvas found that the compartments throughout were exceptionally clean. The single girls (72). who came out under the matronshin of Alias Johnson and Airs Bradshaw, are a very superior class of young women. The matron gives them nn excellent character. The voyage in this compartment has been enlivened with concerts and entertainments of various kinds. Aliss Johnson. who was tho matron, has been ill during the voyage, and the services of Airs Bradshaw, had to be called in to assist. The former comes out to take an appointment as teacher under the Board of .Education, having been selected by Lord Lyttelton for that office.

The single and married men are. for the most part, labouring men; they look strong and healthy, and will no doubt prove good colonists. On inquiry no complaints were made, indeed the very reverse was the reply to the inquiries made, all testifying to the kindness they had received from the captain and his officers. Or Henry Hugh Chapman is surgeon-superinten-dent of the vessel, and although his duties have been heavy, he is to be congratulated on bringing such a large number of immigrants to our shores without any sickness during the voyage. only five deaths (children') from measles and convulsions taking place, and four births occurred. As will be seen by the report, a fracas amounting to a mutiny occured on board. In this the immigrants took no part. They will be landed to-day.

The following is the captain's report;—Left Gravesend on June 11, and proceeded in tow to Beachv Head, and made all sail with a light breeze from the north-east. On Friday, June 12. the pilot left the shin at 8 p.m., off Start Point. On the 19th the first death occurred, of an infant five months old. On June 20 passed the Island of Afadeira about two miles off. passing several vessels going the same way. On 30th spoke to the ship Oxford. from London to Auckland, with immigrants, but soon left her, and on July 2 lost sight of her astern. Crossed the Eauatnr twenty-one and a half days from the Start. : on the 7th the second death occurred, an infant of nine, months. On 23rd. when in latitude 40 degrees 33min south, longitude 2 degrees lOmin east, spoke to the barnue Rama, from Callao to ATauritus, fiftysix days out. 28tli an infant aged six months died : 29th fourth death of an infant occurred. On August 15 the fifth death took place* an infant eleven months old. —Thence to tho Snares, which were passed on August 23, seventy days and twelve hours out. August 2G spoke to ship Corona, from London to Otago, ninety-two days out. with immigrants. The duration of the passage has been seventy-six days twelve hours from start to anchorage. Tune 24. latitude 20 degrees 43mir> N-. longitude 21 degrees ornin AY. -Some of the crew having during the night broken jv*to the fore-hold, broached cargo and got drunk; one of them was brought aft and placed in irons; another. having attempted to rescue him, was also taken in charge, but while securing him the first prisoner escaped to the forecastle; Captain Crawford and the officers going forward to reoanture him. were prevented from dcing so by several of the crew, who made use of threatening language. The capta-’n finding that the mutineers and deliberation with the officers, armed himself, nnd wont forward tb. p second time, and finding the doers of the. forecastle closed, demanded admission. Previous to this part of the crew had left the mutineers Those within refused to open the doors, threatened the captani. and said that they meant shortly to be masters of the eh ip. Finding argument useless, the door on the starboard side of the forecastle was. in spite of much resistance. partly forced open with henclsnikes. and tbe captain, again warning amongst thorn : three of then being wo’uuWl M this r»vd entrance was offcr-torl and the mutiny que’led. the ringleaders aud two others being hr.’.ughr on shore -esr»rdflv. rod will be t rc»nght before tho Bench this morn-