Trouble With The Crew.

Next year the Portland again visited Auckland, arriving on August 31, 88 days from land to land, and 95 from Gravesend, which was left on May 28. On this trip the ship kept close to the south end of Tasmania and passed to the north of New Zealand, Cape Maria Van Dieman being sighted on August 28. Captain Peters was in command this trip, and he had a particularly trying time with his crew, who were most insubordinate. The men not only wilfully disobeyed orders, but they broached cargo, and were even guilty of assault. As a result six of the forecastle contingent had to appear before the Police Court when Auckland was reached, and they received varying terms in Mount Eden. There were 236 passengers aboard the Portland, comprising English, Scots, Irish and German immigrants, who had come out to seek their fortune.

the Portland's third trip to Auckland was a very protracted one, and there was considerable anxiety until on April 26, 1869, she turned up—139 days out from the Docks, which, were left on December 8 the previous year. Owing to boisterous weather right at the start Captain Smith put into Ryde and the ship didn't get away until January 9. During the ship's stay at this anchorage the master became ill, and Captain Coster took command. Light winds were mainly responsible for the ship's subsequent slow progress—the meridian of the Cape of Good Hope not being passed until March 16. Thence the Portland met with strong winds and frequent squalls.