The Chrysolite.

We perhaps do not always remember what an important part the United States played in the evolution of the clipper ship. In the early sixties the fastest ships were almost without exception built in the States, and it was only after the British builders had learned the lessons of the daring American designers, and applied what they had learned to building in iron instead of wood, that Britain again won supremacy at sea. Some of these American wooden ships were very beautiful craft, and they were almost invariably fast. Such a one was the Chrysolite, 1129 tons, which made a number of voyages to the colonies under Captain D. McIntyre. a popular master. In 1861 she arrived off Lyttleton Heads when only 74 days out from London, a passage that was at that time marvellously fast. As an instance of the speed of the Chrysolite, a son of Captain McIntyre. writing in the "Wanganui Herald." recalled the fact that on this particular trip in 1861, no sooner had sail been got on the ship as she was being towed down Channel than it was a case of "Look out, tug!" and at one time the sailer was actually towing the little steamer and to prevent accidents the tow line had to be cut! From Lyttelton the Chrysolite went down to Dunedin, and there took on board several hundred diggers who were bound for the Victorian diggings. When Melbourne was reached the crew deserted and went off to the diggings, and the ship lay for five months awaiting a crew.

In 1862 the ship was again in Lyttelton. arriving on July 27 after a passage of 96 days, which would have been less if she had not been delayed by unfavourable winds after getting out of the tropics. On this occasion she brought out 300 Government immigrants. In the previous year she had brought out 411 immigrants, in addition to 70 first and second class passengers. A melancholy and unusual accident happened during the voyage of 1862. A cabin passenger named Herbert Flower, aged 17 years, was hanging over the bows on a rope, and was lowering himself for the second time in order to touch the water, when his strength failed. He called out for help, but before anyone could rush to his assistance he let go his hold and was swept away. A sailor bravely jumped overboard and a boat was at once lowered, but the only thing seen of Flower wag hip cap.