"The "Queen Bee," a full-rigged ship of 726 tons, was one of the earliest vessels to bring out immigrants to New Zealand. Her first port of call was Dunedin, where she arrived in 1866. She was a fine roomy vessel, with accommodation superior to many of the ships carrying passengers in the sixties. She made several passages direct to the four leading ports, and also visited Napier and Nelson. In 1877 she sailed from London direct for the latter port, and all went well until August 6. The voyage was just about completed and the ship was a little ahead of the Spit light, Cape Farewell, when suddenly she struck on a sunken reef, and continued to bump heavily; so much so that the passengers and crew could scarcely stand on their feet. A heavy sea was running at the time and it was a difficult task to launch boats. The deck of the ship was soon awash, and the passengers became alarmed. With the heavy seas breaking over her it was felt that she might go to pieces at any moment. Among the passengers were several old residents who were returning from a trip to the Homeland.