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White Wings Vol I. Fifty Years Of Sail In The New Zealand Trade, 1850 TO 1900

The Northampton

page 244

The Northampton.

the Northampton, a smart clipper ship of 1161 tons, made two successful voyages to the Dominions under charter to the Shaw, Savill Co. When eight years off the stocks she sailed from Gravesend on March 21, and crossed the Equator on April 17, without having to haul the yard round once. Five weeks later, however, she experienced a very heavy gale from west-north-west, with a tremendous sea running from the same quarter. The ship scudded before it under lower topsails and foresail for 24 hours, the barometer being as low as 28.30. Several big seas were shipped, some going below into the passengers' quarters, but no damage was done except to the two lifeboats. The ship then had a favourable run to the Snares, which were sighted on June 3, the ship being then only 70 days from the pilot. She had a good run up the coast, and anchored at Lyttelton on June 6, 1874, thus completing the passage in 72 days 13 hours, with no studding sails. Unfortunately there were thirteen cases of modified smallpox, and one of fever, which broke out shortly after sailing. There were seven deaths. Captain Barclay was in command of the ship.

the Northampton made a second voyage to the Dominion under Captain Clare in 1877. She arrived at Nelson on April 4 with 336 immigrants, and after landing a number proceeded to Wellington wth the balance.

the Northampton was built by Connell at Glasgow in 1866 for the Merchant Shipping Co., London.