EARLY SHIPPING DAYS.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 17347, 12 May 1924, Page 6

EARLY SHIPPING DAYS.

VOYAGES FROM THE OLD COUNTRY. TALES OF THE EMIGRANT SHIPS. The romances 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 of the 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 eaily files. ARRIVAL OF THE WAITARA (Froni the “ Lyttelton Times, 5 ’ December 26, 1879.) Arrived, December 4, YVaitara, ship, 832 tons, Cowell, from London. New Zealand Shipping Company, agents. Passengers : —saloon : Miss Booth, Mr Richard 8. Raby, Miss Fanny Carr, Mr Edward Newman, Mr Henry Hazel I, Mr A. C. Stewart, eighteen second and third cabin. Early yesterday morning a ship was signalled from the south and at 11 a.m. a second red flag was hoisted ; it was then supposed that the ships were the Waitnra and Euterpe. Art 1 p.m. the New Zealand Shipping Company’s Waitara’vS numbers Avere hoisted, and at 2 p.m. the tug brought her up to an anchorage off Rhodes 5 Bay. The vessel’s passage to the Cape was a very good one, sixty days, but the continued easterly weather spoilt the passage entirely, 110 days being a long passage for so smart a little ship as the \Yaitara. * The following is Captain Cowell’s report of the passage:— Left South-west India Dock on September 6, towed down to Gravesend, leaving there next day. Towed as far as Bealey Head, and cast off the tug. September 8, had westerly gales down Chanr.nel, with thick, rainy weather. Passed the Start on September 19 and took final departure from the land that day. Had fine weather and southerly weather across the Bay. Got the northeast trades in 28 west. They were fair but light, and were lost in 7.33 north on October 3. Crossed the equator on October 11. Met with south-east trades in 2.17 south on October 12. These trades proved very light and were lost On October 24. From -passing the T.eeu win experienced nothing but easterly weather, varying from strong gales to calms, till December 18, Tasmania being passed on December 12. Sighted ,Ftew*»rt’s Island on December 19. Made the Peninsula yesterday and anchored oft Rhodes' Bav at 2 p.m.