White Wings Vol II. Founding Of The Provinces And Old-Time Shipping. Passenger Ships From 1840 To 1885
The Guinevere
The Guinevere.
A ship of 879 tons, built at Glasgow in 1868, the Guinevere nearly came to grief on a voyage from London to Wellington in 1886. She sailed on April 5th, and all went well until the 15th June, when she shipped a tremendous sea, which smashed two boats and caused other damage. On the following day another sea broke on board, smashing two more boats. The cut-water also carried away as far as the metal, together with the figurehead, and the water found its way into the hold. The heavy gales continued, and three days later, on the 18th June, the rudder carried away, and a jury rudder suffered the same fate. A Dutch ship hove in sight and offered assistance, which Captain Ford declined. By the 1st of July another jury rudder had been rigged, the ship having been rudderless for thirteen days. Captain Ford then decided to make for Mauritius, which was reached seventeen days later. An examin- ation was made by divers, and it was decided to place her in dry dock for repairs. A large portion of the cargo was removed, and found to be considerably damaged. Another start was made for Wellington on the 14th November, and without further mishap she reached her destination on the 20th December of the same year, 269 days from London. After discharging cargo, the Guinevere sailed for Dunedin, and arrived on January 19th, 1887.