Dirty Weather.

the Stracathro made four voyages to New Zealand, three being to Auckland and one to Dunedin, In 1879 she left London on November 26, and arrived in Auckland oil March 1, 1880, the passage taking 95 days from Gravesend. She again visited the Waitemata in 1881, leaving the Docks on July 29, and making port on October 28, the time occupied being 90 days port to port or 83 days land to land, On neither of these passages was there anything of an unusual nature during the voyage, but in 1880 she had a very stormy trip. Leaving the Docks on May 13 she did not reach Auckland until August 30, a passage of 109 days. She started out in had weather, but matters improved and continued so until the Southern Ocean was reached, and there she was dogged by a succession of gales that sorely tried the patience of the passengers, of whom there was a large number on board. In latitude 43.40 south a series of heavy gales was met. High confused sea caused the vessel to roll heavily, and the decks were frequently filled with water. This unpleasant weather lasted until July 31, when the wind blew with greater force, and was accompanied by hail, sleet, and snow. At times the wind reached hurricane force, and the ship was able to carry lower topsail only. There was a mountainous sea, which repeatedly filled the decks to the rails, and during the height of the gale the parrel of the maintopsail yard (it holds the yard to the mast), which had once before parted, again carried away. On August 7, when running before a heavy gale, a sea was shipped over the poop. It broke on board with great violence, smashing the wheel, and knocking down and seriously injuring the man at the wheel. During tills gale the ship was hoveto for thirty hours.

The last passage of the ship to New Zealand was that to Dunedin. She left Gravesend on May 4, 1878, and reached Port Chalmers on August 3, a passage of 91 days. Captain Millar was in command in 1880 and 1878. Captain Peters, who was chief officer in 1880, commanded when the ship visited Auckland in 1881, and Captain Smith was in command on the passage she made in 1886.