the Jessie Osborne, chartered in the 'seventies by the New Zealand Shipping Company to convey immigrants to the Dominion, was a fine full-rigged ship of 1058 tons, and when fitted up to carry passengers was comfortable and a fast sailer. Prior to trading to New Zealand, and when on a voyage to California, she was driven ashore, and the wreck was purchased by an American firm. Her name was then changed to Mariposa. She made one passage to Liverpool from San Francisco, but she was then bought back by the original owners, and her name was again changed to Jessie Osborne. She was in 1876 chartered by the New Zealand Shipping Company, and after completing two voyages to New Zealand, was sold to a Norwegian firm, converted into a barque, and re-named the Okta. Some years later, in 1913, the old barque, still bearing the same name, was loaded with a cargo of jarrah timber at Tasmania, and sailed for Falmouth. She put into the Bluff harbour in distress, struck the Pelham rocks, Sterling Point, and became a total wreck.

On her first voyage out to New Zealand the Jessie Osborne arrived at Lyttelton on January 29, 1876, having sailed from London on the 7th November, 1875—a run of 83 days from the Clyde. She brought out 280 Scotch immigrants. The "Lyttelton Times," reporting her arrival, stated the vessel experienced a succession of heavy gales in the Bay of Biscay, which continued for several days and greatly impeded her progress. She crossed the equator 31 days out, and the meridian of the Cape three weeks later. The ship made some splendid runs in the Southern Ocean until passing Cape Leeuwin on January 13—68 days from the Clyde. On five separate days she logged upwards of 300 miles. Thence she fell in with calms and head winds, which completely spoilt what otherwise would have been the smartest passage of the season. Owing to one of the pas-page 279sengers being down with typhoid fever, the ship was placed in quarantine for a week.

In the same year, on December 19, after a passage of 93 days, the Jessie Osborne arrived at Auckland from Liverpool, Captain Falconer still being in command. Among the passengers were Mr. and Mrs. Runciman and family, Dr. Allnot, and Mr. and Mrs. Killop, of Parnell—the two last mentioned celebrated their golden wedding in February, 1924. The "Jessie" also had on board 200 immigrants. In those days the "Auckland Star" kept a loft of carrier pigeons, and the shipping reporter, by taking these faithful messengers with him, frequently made a scoop for his paper. The ships were often boarded between Rangitoto and Tiri from a waterman's boat. On the occasion of the arrival of the Jessie Osborne, the following message was sent as the ship was approaching Rangitoto Channel, and appeared in the "Auckland Star" the same evening:—"Jessie Osborne has no sickness on board. She has the Health Officer's flag flying, and the decks are dotted with hundreds of expectant passengers, who state they have had an exceedingly pleasant voyage. Dr. Goldsborough, Captain Burgess, and Major Green are on board. (How familiar these names appear to many who are still living in Auckland.) The 'Jessie' is a magnificent iron ship, and the commander, Captain Falconer, is a jolly fellow. His first question after our boarding the ship was: 'What will you take to drink?'" Then followed some details of the voyage and the names of the passengers. When the ship anchored at 7 p.m., the passengers were surprised at receiving copies of the "Star," published at 4 p.m., giving details of the voyage and passengers' names.