Fast Sailing.

The "Otago Daily Times," referring to the rapid passage made by the Ben Venue in 1881, states:—"Although the ship was detained in the Channel by heavy gales until February 18 (she sailed from Gravesend on February 11, taking her final departure from the Lizard) the passage occupied only 77 days, or 67 land to land. After leaving land on this voyage the ship met with strong N.W. winds across the Bay of Biscay, and crossed the Equator on March 7. On the 12th she fell in with the S.E. Trades, which were fresh and true for six days, and on the 25th the first of the westerlies was met with, and the Cape rounded on the 31st. Moderate and fresh favourable winds marked the progress of the ship across the Southern Ocean, with the exception of one heavy gale from the S.E., with high and confused sea, during which the ship rolled and laboured heavily. Tasmania was passed on April 19, and the Snares sighted on April 26. The ship was becalmed for twenty-four hours on the coast, and anchored at Port Chalmers on the 30, only 77 days port to port. The easting was run down between the parallels of 50 and 52 South latitude. Captain McGowan, who is in command, was in Dunedin twelve years ago as chief officer of the Jessie Readman."