It is not generally known that the Bombay gave the name of Bombay to the settlement situated about 29 miles south of Auckland. Most of the early settlers in this district came out from England by the Bombay on her first voyage to Auckland in 1863.

the Bombay seldom had a fair chance when trading to New Zealand of showing what she was capable of doing, as on nearly all the voyages out she had the ill-luck to strike furious storms, either in the English Channel or later. the Bombay was a full-rigged ship of 937 tons, and flying the Shaw, Savill flag. On the four voyages she made to the colony she was under the command of Captain G. Sellars, a fine old gentleman and a skilful sailor.

On her first voyage to Auckland the ship sailed from Gravesend on August 26, and reached her destination on December 8, 1863. She encountered a heavy storm the day after sailing, and sought shelter at North Foreland. Sailing again on the 28th, she soon after met with a strong westerly gale, and was severely handled. She again ran for shelter, and finally left Falmouth Roads on September 3, a week after leaving Gravesend. She then experienced light contrary winds to the Equator, and met another severe gale when running down her easting.

the Bombay had a similar experience in the English Channel on the next voyage to Auckland. She sailed from London on November 26, 1864, and met with strong westerly gales, again sheltering at North Foreland. She lifted her anchor once more on November 30, but immediately ran into bad weather, and did not leave the Lizard light until December 8, twelve days after weighing anchor at Gravesend. the Bombay then had a fairly good run until ten days before reaching Auckland, when she was struck by a squall from the south-east, which carried away the bowsprit, the fore topmast with several yards, and the main topgallant mast and royal mast were sprung. A number of sails were blown from the yards, and altogether there was a pretty mess aloft. With considerable labour the wreckage was cut away, all speed being used, as it was feared that the heavy spars, with their attached iron work, would chafe a hole in the wooden sides of the ship. The next day the gale increased until it was blowing a hurricane. Nothing could be set except the upper topsail, and that was lowered down on top of the lower topsail yard. Early in the day the ship gave a sudden lurch in a more than usually severe squall, and to crown the misfortunes of the crew and passengers (there were 400 of the latter on board) the main mast went by the board and the mizzen mast was sprung. It was at first feared that the mizzen would follow the main mast, but eventually it was saved. Naturally this was a most anxious time for the passengers and crew. The ship was rolling fearfully, and the work of clearing the wreckage was terribly hard and dangerous. Later the starboard quarter boat was blown from the aft davit, and had to be cut away to prevent it doing further damage.