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White Wings Vol II. Founding Of The Provinces And Old-Time Shipping. Passenger Ships From 1840 To 1885

The Rock City

The Rock City.

This fine clipper ship was built at Quebec by the same accomplished artificer as the far-famed Marco-Polo. She was a vessel of 597 tons, commanded by Captain T. Cubbins, and made at that date the record run of 88 days from London to Auckland harbour under adverse circumstances. The Rock City was on her second voyage, having been launched the previous year. She sailed from Gravesend on the 6th March, 1855, and crossed the equator in 22 days. She sighted and was becalmed for five days off Cape San Augustine, on the coast of Brazil, and on the 19th April passed in sight of Gough's Island. Captain Cubbins made his passage under the great circle principle; the ship was consequently carried into a high S. latitude, from 50 to 52 degrees, where she fell in with a considerable quantity of floating ice and large icebergs. On the 22nd May the ship made the high land of the Middle Island, having been forced to the eastward by N. and N.E. winds. Here she was again becalmed for three days. On the 1st June the Cape Maria van Diemen was sighted, and three days later, on the 4th June, she arrived at Auckland. She brought out only 17 passengers.