FAST SAILING PASSAGES.

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume LXXVI, Issue 18445, 31 March 1922, Page 3

FAST SAILING PASSAGES.

THE LOUIS THIERAULT’S TIME. uINDSTOL’S GOOD PROGRAMME. (Auckland Star..) Favourable winds on the Tasman .Sea has enabled sailing vessels making the voyage from Australia u> New Zealand recently to cover the distance in quick time. Tneir course cannot be reckoned as the distance from port to port as tne crow hies, for with a change of wind a chaaige of course is often desirable and lequenuy necessary.

When the captain of the barquen tine Lindstol, now berthed at the King’s wharf, was asked to estimate his speed in his recent passage, ne regarded it as being out of the question, for although he reached the Thiee Kings seven days after clearing Sydney, the distance he covered would be greater than a steamer'® route.

The tlire-niasted schooner Louis Thierault also claims to have made a good passaee from Newcastle-J.O. T manner, concealiug his identity : av A ‘tne- v eosiJi - xAu all her canvas set, and stood right over with the force of the wind. She was frequently shipping water and continually taking tne sea green over her bows.

She is a very sea-worthy vessel and has met with more than her share of rough weather since she was last at Thames. Getting into Australian waters on route to Newcastle she was threatened by tremendous seas; and was immediately trimmed. She met the full force of the hurricane with only her foresail spread. The win howled through the ropes and spares, and the vessel was obliged to run before the gale. The foresail cracked and bellied out, and every moment the captain expected that it would carry away. For ten hours the storm continued at its height. Running before the wind with only her fore-sail set she logged on one day over 280 miles, while other runs were 350 and 270 miles.

Other quick sailing trips have been made within the last twelve months. On July 21st last the fullrigged ship Cardinia arrived at Auckland six days after clearing Newcastle, and on August 7 the schooner Columbia River arrived after an eight-day passage. On these occasions the winds were strong from the westerly quarter.