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White Wings Vol I. Fifty Years Of Sail In The New Zealand Trade, 1850 TO 1900
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A ship that made good average passages out and Home was the New Zealand Shipping Company's full-rigger Rakaia, 1022 tons, which was built for the company in 1873 by Blumer and Company. After completing seventeen voyages to the colony she was sold to a German firm and renamed the Marie. She was sold again, and again named the Rakaia. She was once more sold to a firm in Boston, U.S.A., the price being 4850 dollars, and re-named the Ruth Stark, and as such was reported in a dismasted condition whilst
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on a voyage from Boston to Secondi. The vessel's name disappeared from Lloyd's register about four years ago.
The New Zealand Shipping Company's Rakaia
In 1875, under Capt. McInness, the Rakaia ran from London to Lyttelton in 80 days. She also made another fine run to Auckland when in command of Capt. J. Bone in 1881. During 1880, when Capt. Bone was in Auckland as chief officer of the Wanganui, he received instructions from headquarters to proceed to Wellington to take command of the Rakaia, and he made a very fast run home in her of 79 days to London. The run from Wellington to the Western Islands was accomplished in the marvellously short time of 60 days. Here the ship was jammed by easterly winds and did not reach the docks until the 79th day out.