The Troopship Robert Lowe.

There was an unusual feeling of excitement among Aucklanders when the troopship Robert Lowe arrived in harbour on November 28, 1860, with the troops of the 2nd Battalion of the 14th Regiment—a feeling akin to that manifested by the departure of one of those dull grey troopships during the late Great War. And it was sailing ships such as the Robert Lowe which brought soldiers from England not only to protect the settlers from the Maori, but also to rear the sons who were destined to leave the Dominion many years afterwards in defence of the Motherland.

the Robert Lowe, which brought over 700 souls, including 500 soldiers under the command of Lieut.-Colonel Sir J. E. Alexander, was an auxiliary screw steam vessel of 1049 tons, clipper rig, and built of iron by naval architects. She sailed from Cork on September 7 in charge of Captain Congalton, and crossed the Equator after 21 days at sea. The meridian of the Cape was passed on November 2, and the vessel arrived as above after a voyage devoid of incident. She thus made the passage out in 82 days, 15 of which the ship was under steam. This was four days better than the previously unequalled record of the Spray of the Ocean, established the previous year, when she arrived at Auckland after a dashing passage of 86 days from Deal.