EARLY SHIPPING DAYS.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 17220, 11 December 1923, Page 10

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 ax-s recalled in. the series of articles now being: published in the “ Star " relating: to the earl}' 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 liles. ARRIVAL OF SHIP CANTERBURY. (Continued.) (From the ‘ Lyttelton Times,” September 3, 1874.)

Arrived, September 3—-Canterbury. ship. 1252 tons. Stracban. from Glasgow. Passengers—Messrs Angus, Bonner and 486 Government immigrants. This fine and beautifully modelled iron clipper-built ship, owned by Messrs Patrick Henderson ami Co., and commanded by Captain Stracban, is a sis ter ship to the Dunedin, which came here a few months since from Glasgow with a large number of immigrants. She arrived in harbour, and anchored off Ripa Island on Tuesday evening, at six o’clock, having been towed up to her anchorage bv the s.s. Halcyon. The health officer. Dr Donald, and Commissioners, Dr Rouse and Mr March, went down to the ship yesterday morning, and. as there had been no disease on board, the vessel was at once cleared. The ship is certainly a very handsome ressel. and is a beautiful model of the clipper ship. The New Zealand Shipping Company are to be complimented in having chartered such a handsome and commodious vessel. The ship was launched on May 4. and tins i s her maiden trip. She was launched from the yards of Messrs Robert Duncan and Co.. Glasgoyv. and the following extract from the “North British Mail” relative to the affair appears in that paper: ‘On leaving the ways the vessel was named by Mrs Sellars, wife of the superintendent of the line. Her dimensions are :—Length 230 ft, beam 36ft. depth of hold 21ft. and she is built for the highest class ” The same paper commenting on the vessel’s departure, says: “The town, owing to the influx of strangers, was, during the day before the sailng of the vessel, kept in a state of excitement, and. on the evening of embarkation,, the ship was completely besieged. During the afternoon of that day, a service was held upon the quay, under the auspices of the Evangelistic Committee, conducted by the Rev Mr Scott, of Glasgow, and which seemed to be much appreciated ; the singing, of a hymn. * Our Home is over There.’ was peculiarly affecting to many in their circumstances, and will no doubt he remembered when they are far away.”

This vessel is the second of six ships which are being built expressly for the New Zealand trade for this firm. and. like the pioneer ship Dunedin, she is as fine a modelled clipper ship as has arrived in Lyttelton. On leaving Green ock she was visited by a large number of persons. Before making the usual inspection, a visit was paid to the saloon. This was exceedingly well fitted up, the cabin large and roomy, carpeted, and fitted up with every re qusto. The starboard cabins were apportioned to the captain, and the other to the pantry. The fittings throughout this part of the ship were very chaste, silver-plated mountings and lamps being predominant* The cabins out side were elegantly mapled veneered, and this and the gilt mouldings throughout made the saloon look very handsome. Forward of the saloon was what might be termed the berths for the officers of the ship, but which for this voyage had been partly converted into the single girls’ berths. (On deck as is usual now with all Clyde-built ships, was a large deck-liouse for the seamen. There was also a large condenser, capable of distilling 500 gallons of water per diem, and a splendid gal ley for the immigrants; indeed, the whole arrangements throughout could not have been better. The scene or: going on board was a very exciting one, and all appeared highly delighted at reaching their journey’s end. There could be no doubt as to the nationalities of the immigrants, the Scottish dialect being most discernible. The immigrants, who were selected expressly by Mr A. Duncan, are certainly a credit to him. and are most welcome colonists. The girls, ninety in number, are a fine lot of Scotch lasses, intelligent and educated. In speaking with them, they showed this by their conversation. Th? single girls come out under the care of Miss Scott, who during the passage has been assisted by Mrs Redpatli. and they both speak in the highest terms of them. An inspection of the married persons’ compartments, consisting of

seventy married couples with children, was most satisfactory, the compartments being well ventilated, well lighted and very clean. The single satisfactory. Dr Scott is the surgeonsuperintendent of the ship, and has. by his constant attendance and kindness to those under bis care, won the regard of all on hoard. During the passage two deaths occurred, one a woman (married) from consumption, and the other a child. Three births also took place. The following is the captain's report :—Left Greenock on June 6. with a westerly wind : landed pilot on the Btli From July 14 till August J experienced rough, squally weather with snowstorms. On August 25. experienced heavy gale, which continuer, until next day. and afterwards light and variable winds until arrival.