White Wings Vol I. Fifty Years Of Sail In The New Zealand Trade, 1850 TO 1900
The Hydaspes
The Hydaspes.
Captain Babot's Command.
Captain Babot.
A Fine Old Ship, The Hydaspes.
the Hydaspes was a powerful ship of 2092 tons, built at the same time and in the same yards as the Lady Jocelyn.
the Hydaspes made her first appearance at Auckland in 1873. She left London with 208 immigrants and a number of saloon passengers, and arrived in port on October 19, 1873, after a smart passage of 85 days from Gravesend, whence she sailed on July 27. The voyage from land to land was completed in 75 days. the Hydaspes took her final departure from Ushant on August 2, having taken six days beating down channel. The equator was crossed on August 26, and the meridian of thepage 96 Cape of Good Hope on September 19 in 44 degrees 30 minutes south. No land was seen after leaving Ushant till the Three Kings were sighted on the 16th October, and Auckland reached on the 19th.
the Hydaspes visited Auckland again in 1874. She arrived in port on November 6, having completed the passage from the Isle of Wight (When she took her final departure on August 17) in 80 days, or 86 from Gravesend. The ship sailed from Gravesend on August 11, with 350 immigrants and a number of saloon passengers. The equator was crossed on September 12. She passed the meridian of the Cape on October 4, and the Three Kings were passed on November 4.
When the Hydaspes entered the port she was flying the yellow flag, and the vessel was placed in quarantine at Motuihi Island. Captain Babot reported that scarlet fever broke out on board, the first case occurring on September 11 and the last on October 23. There were twelve deaths, mostly from the fever.
A Fine Old Vessel.
The "Auckland Star," announcing her arrival on this occasion, stated: "This is the second consecutive passage made by this ship under 80 days from land to land, proving that with all the recent modifications, alterations and boasted improvements which have turned our splendid seagoing vessels into extreme clippers they cannot outsail the Hydaspes, a vessel built 20 years ago, under the control of a skilful captain, energetic officers and willing crew.
On the voyage out to Lyttelton in 1869 the Hydaspes did more remarkable sailing. She experienced very light and contrary winds at the start, and crossed the Equator on the 33rd day out. After this she met with more favourable winds. For seven days she made 300 miles in a day, and 1900 miles were covered in one week. The longest day's run was 331 miles. A week after leaving the Channel she spoke the Robert Henderson, bound for Otago; two days later she left her hull down. the Robert Henderson anchored at Port Chalmers on the 6th October, seven days after the Hydaspes at Lyttelton.
the Hydaspes made her last voyage to the Dominion in 1878. At the end of this year she sailed for England, and when beating up the Channel collided with another vessel and was sunk.
To Auckland. | |||
Sailed. | Arrived. | Captain. | Days. |
---|---|---|---|
July 27 | Oct. 20, '73 | Babot | 85 |
Land to land | 75 | ||
Aug. 11 | Nov. 6, '74 | Babot | 86 |
To Lyttelton. | |||
July 26 | Oct. 28, '68 | Babot | 94 |
July 4 | Sep. 29, '69 | Babot | 85 |
Aug. 10 | Nov. 9, '78 | Babot | 91 |
To Dunedin. | |||
June 23 | Sep. 19, '72 | Babot | 88 |