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White Wings Vol I. Fifty Years Of Sail In The New Zealand Trade, 1850 TO 1900

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A ship that will be remembered by old Aucklanders, on account of an incident connected with several marriages that took place on board during her voyage from London to Auckland, 1874-5. was the Invererne, a vessel of 912 tons, which was under charter to the New Zealand Shipping Co. As told me, the story was to the effect that Captain Foreman, who commanded the ship, was not aware that the authority of captains to perform marriages on the seas had heen revoked, and that the couples had to be re-married when they got ashore at Auckland. Two of the passengers were Mr. and Mrs. Allen, who now reside in Dunedin, and a letter from Mr. Allen explains what really did happen.

Prior to their departure in 1874 Mr. and Mrs. Allen had just been married in Ireland, and in the rush to catch the Invererne they forgot their marriage certificate, which was left behind them in Ireland. This made it rather awkward, and they decided to book passages singly, Mrs. Allen going under her maiden name and being quartered with the single women. She was a great sufferer from sea sickness. Naturally Mr. Allen was very much concerned, and he frequently used to go down and see her. Some of the other girls began to talk, so Mr. Allen decided to tell the captain the truth at once. Under the circumstances the captain suggested they should be re-married. This was done, the captain gave them a certificate, and the young couple shifted over to the married people's quarters.