Rakaia - 1877

RAKAIA

The RAKAIA departed London on 17 November, 1876 and arrived in Wellington on 28 February, 1877. Captain Friston was in command.

Transcribed from Evening Post, 27 February 1877, Page 2.

ARRIVAL OF THE SHIP RAKAIA.

The New Zealand Shipping Company's fine clipper ship Rakaia, 1022 tons, was signalled this morning, at 10 o'clock. She is under command of Captain Friston. She left London on the 17th of November, and Start Point was passed on the 21st, from which date up to to-day makes her passage 98 days. She brings a number of first and second-class passengers, and 9½ immigrants for the Feilding settlement. She had not been able to get into harbor up to 4 p.m. to-day, in consequence of the strong N.W. wind blowing, but will probably beat in during the night.

The following is a list of her passengers as published in the European Mail:

Saloon -

Mr and Mrs Russell and family,

Mr and Mrs Austing and family,

Mr and Mrs Smith and 2 daughters,

Messrs

Inman

Moore

Wranklyn

Bale

Murray

Keoson

Downess

Second Cabin -

Messrs

Rogers

Godfrey

Intermediate -

Messrs

Dawson

Keetley

Steerage -

Selina, John, Elisabeth, Mary, and Amelia Tinney

Anne Thornton

Mr and Mrs Judd and family

Mr and Mrs Clare and family

Mr and Mrs Quarrie and family

Mr and Mrs Hills

Messrs

Catliffe

Huskisson (2)

Rider

Sterling

Transcribed from Evening Post, 28 February 1877, Page 2

THE SHIP RAKAIA.

The N.Z. Sipping Company's ship Rakaia, Captain A. Friston, reported by us yesterday as arriving at the Heads from London, was brought into port by Pilot Holmes at 7 o'clock this morning. She left the Start Point on the 21st November, and has made a very fair passage. A succession of heavy gales was encountered in the Channel, which lasted for 11 days, causing the loss of all her poultry and pigs. She touched at the island of Tristan d'Achuna. Had a very pleasant run through the tropics. Stewart's Island was sighted on the 18th inst.. after which experienced heavy N.W. gales till arrival. Dr. Fitzgerald is the surgeon-superintendent, and as there was no sickness on board worth speaking of, he must have had an easy time of it. She brings a large cargo of general merchandise, and a valuable cow for Mr. W. Turnbull. We are sorry to learn that a prize bull, which was coming out for the same gentleman, died on the voyage. The passengers (numbering 54, whose names we published yesterday), speak in very flattering terms of Captain Friston, and on arrival in harbor presented him with a purse of sovereigns and the following testimonial:-

To Captain Alexander Friston, of the Rakaia, bound from London to Wellington, N.Z.

Dear Sir. We. the undersigned, passengers on board the Rakaia, take the opportunity of her approaching port to offer you our congratulations upon the safe and satisfactory voyage which this ship has made under your command.

Your excellent seamanship, which brought us so well through the contrary weather experienced soon after our departure from England, our subsequent pleasant run through the tropics, and our recent rapid progress across the Southern Ocean, are circumstances which we shall ever remember with thankfulness; but not less shall we cherish the memory of your uniformly genial and courteous bearing, which has so much contributed to relieve the tedium of the voyage.

We trust that you may long be spared in the enjoyment of health and prosperity; and begging your acceptance of the accompanying souvenir as a small mark of respect and esteem for you.— We are, &c.

Here follow the signatures.

Go to TOP