EARLY SHIPPING DAYS.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 17229, 21 December 1923, Page 10

EARLY SHIPPING DAYS.

VOYAGES FROM THE OLD COUNTRY. I TALES bF THE EMIGRANT SHIPS. ; Tlie romance and some of the hardships of the early shipping days of New Zealand are recalled in the series of articles now beinc 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 citirens of the Dominion are I descended from the old stock which I braved the voyages in the sailers of the 'fifties, 'sixties and 'seventies. The article printed to-day consists of extracts from the early files. ARRIVAL OF BARQUE ALICE. (Front the “Lyttelton Times, February 5, 1575.) Arrived. —February 4, Alice, barque, 627 tons, Burgess, from London. Passengers—Second cat?in. Mr and Mrs Roberts. Messrs May, C. Giesenhaus. Howland and Wheeler. This fine composite barque, which paid a visit to this port some two years since, in command of Captain Windermere, was signalled on Tuesday afternoon, and came up to an anchorage inside the Heads yesterday morning, after a passage of 107 days from the Downs. Since the Alice last left our port, the command has changed. Captain Burgess now being in charge There is little to say of the voyage, which has been a fine-weather one. Of the sixteen sheep shipped, two died during the passage. The vessel brings six second cabin passengers.

The following is the captain’s report of the voyage :—Left Gravesend on October 10; on October 13, when off Deal and weighing the anchor, came into collision with the barque Recovery, atd had to put back for repairs. Proceeded again to sea on November 17. Had light westerly winds; then caught the N.K. trades, which were very light. Crossed the Equator on November 25, forty days out. Winds light and variable until December 10. Thence to the meridian of the Cape experienced light easterlies. The meridian was passed on December 29. seventy-two days out. The meridian of Tasmania was passed on January 25; westerly winds prevailing. Sighted Stewart Island on Sunday. Experienced easterly winds up the coast. Passed Dunedin Heads on the evening of February 3, and subse quently came to an anchorage. The Alice brings fourteen sheep, some of which are Lincoln and others Leicester. The vessel has a large cargo, and comes consigned to Messrs Dalgety, Nichols and Co. ARRIVAL OF THE W. W. SMITH. (From the “ Lyttelton Times/’ February 26, 1875.) Arrived. February 25, W. W. Smith, ship, 661 tons, Griffith, from London. Passengers Walter William, and John Scott, John Hedley, Langley, Brocklesby, and Hugh O'Connor. This ship was signalled early yesterday morning, but as it was known there were no immigrants on bpa,rd, r the arrival attracted very little importance. At 9 o’clock the Health Officer, Dr Donald, proceeded to the ship and cleared her, there having been no sickness during the voyage. The vessel is not remarkable for beauty, but she is a comfortable ship, and has made a good passage of eighty-nine days. Her deck are lumbered up with sheep pens, and her 'tween decks are entirely devoted to sheep. It is gratifying to state that of 127 shipped, only four died on the passage, which reflects great credit on the shepherds in charge. Some of the tanks leaked, and as the supply of water ran short, the sheep had to be kept on half allowance. The sheep, which are pure Lincoln, are in excellent condition, and it is the largest shipment in one vessel ever brought to our port. The following is the captain’sreport; Left Gravesend on Friday, November 20. and experienced southerly winds and heavy rain down the Channel. On November 28 encountered a heavy gale the sea struck the vessel, carrying away the main rail, bulwarks, and the lar.3'ards of the main rigging. Took final departure on December 1, with strong winds from the N.E. Crossed the Equator on December 26, thence had light S.E. winds. Sighted the Island of Trinidad on January 2; passed the meridian of the Cape on January 21, and Tasmania, February 16; Stewart's Island was sighted on the morning of February 22, since which light winds and calms were experienced up the coast to arrival.