The Olive Mount.

This vessel made one of the longest passages to New Zealand ever recorded. Over two months were spent at the Mauritius under-going repairs. The Olive Mount was a ship of 583 tons, sent out to Otago in 1866 under Captain Gauver. She sailed from London on the 18th April, 1865, and experienced the usual weather until passing the Cape of Good Hope, where she encountered a terrific gale. Fearful seas which broke on board sprung the fore and main masts, carried away most of the bulwarks and stancheons, started the stern frame, and split most of the sails. For several days she was almost unmanageable, but eventually sufficient sail was set to enable her to proceed; but she was in a very crippled condition, and Captain Gauver decided to endeavour to make the port of Mauritius. She arrived there on the 12th July, three months after sailing from London. The damage to the ship was serious, and two months were occupied in effecting repairs. On the 18th September she made another start, and was fortunate in falling in with strong favourable winds to St. Paul's. Thence she had light variable winds to Tasmania, followed by fresh S.W. winds. The New Zealand coast was made off Oamaru on the 6th November, and three days later Port Chalmers was reached, 205 days out from London.