Wild Deer
Ship : 1060 tons
Captain : Whitson
Surgeon Superintendent:
Sailed Glasgow February 9th 1872 - arrived Port Chalmers May 9th 1872

Launched at Connell's shipyard in December of 1863, Wild Deer began life as a china tea clipper. In this capacity she made some very speedy voyages and was once in a race back to England with Douglas Castle and Peter Denny. Wild Deer beat both ships in this thrilling race, ably described by Basil Lubbock in his book "The Colonial Clippers". Wild Deer was applied to the New Zealand run in 1871 (this voyage) and this comfortable immigrant ship was to make 10 successful voyages to New Zealand. At the commencement of her 11th voyage in 1883 she ran aground on the coast of Ireland and was lost. Thankfully, no passengers or crew were lost and the immigrants completed their voyage on board the Caroline.
White Wings - Sir Henry Brett

Arrival of the Wild Deer.

Copywrite Denise and Peter 2001

Reference:
Archives New Zealand  IM15/8
Otago daily Times May 10th 1872