The Siam.

the Siam, a fairly speedy ship of 745 tons, made four consecutive voyages to Auckland from 1865 till 1868, in command of Captain William Ashby. She was a favourite ship with passengers, and the whole of her berthing accommodation was taken up both on the outward and homeward passages. The ship was unfortunate in striking severe gales on all the outward passages.

the Siam came first to Auckland in 1865. She sailed from London on July 28, and arrived on November 17, making the passage in 110 days. On October 22 the ship ran into a very heavy gale and heavy head sea, and experienced a cyclone. During the storm a large portion of the bulwarks was carried away and some of the stanchions were started. The vessel was hove-to for nine hours. On the following three days Capt. Ashby reported having passed many spars, bulwarks, casks, and hen coops, a clear indication that some ships had suffered even more than the Siam.

On the next passage out, in 1866, the Siam left the docks on May 31, and Sheerness three days later, with 61 saloon and second-class passengers. On August 23, while running with a strong gale and huge seas, with reefed topsails, and travelling twelve knots an hour, two heavy seas were shipped. All the bulwarks were washed away on the port side from the main to the fore rigging. The sea also carried away a quantity of the topgallant bulwarks on the starboard side and filled the deck with water.

the Siam had another rough passage out in 1867. She sailed from the docks on June 6, and arrived on September 27, making the passage in 114 days. On this occasion she landed 76 saloon and second-class passengers. On September 23 the ship experienced an electric storm for eight hours. Captain Ashby stated that at 6 p.m., although the sun had only just set, it was quite dark, the Siam being surrounded by masses of heavy black clouds. At the same time lightning commenced from every point of the compass. At 9 p.m. the wind was still blowing hard from the N.N.E., and all sail was taken in but three topsails. For about half an hour the wind came from every point of the compass, with thunder, lightning, and torrential rain. While this was going on a most extraordinary light was observed aloft on all the yardarms and royal trucks, St. Elmo lights, which produced a most surprising effect over the whole ship, and the surrounding water was a mass of sparks; indeed, the whole ocean appeared to be on fire. Early the next morning, after more thunder and lightning, the ship was becalmed, but was favoured with improved weather conditions.

The last voyage of the Siam was more eventful than the previous passages to Auckland. The ship sailed from Gravesend on July 3rd, and arrived on October 12th. All went well until the 28th September, when in the meridian of Cape Leeuwin the barometer suddenly fell to 28° 40'. Sail was reduced as rapidly as possible, and the ship hove-to for ten hours. On the following day it was still blowing a hard gale with very high, confused sea. During the evening a heavy sea broke on board, carrying awaypage 216 the boats from the davits, smashed the lifeboat, started a number of stanchions, carried away a large portion of the bulwarks, and caused other serious damage. The gale continued for three days, and a large quantity of water went below, damaging the cargo. The pumps were kept going continually. When the cargo was discharged at Auckland the larger portion was saturated with salt water, and was useless. It was sent to the auction marts for sale, where portions remained for months before it could be quitted. The voyage of the Siam, notwithstanding the severe buffeting received, was made in 101 days.