The Waimea.

For over twenty years the ship Waimea, which flew the flag of the New Zealand Shipping Co., traded to New Zealand, and during that time she brought out a large number of immigrants to this country. A vessel of 848 tons, she was built at Hamburg in 1868, and while under the German flag she was called the Dorette; in. fact, when she visited Auckland in 1874 she still bore that name. She was bought by the New Zealand Shipping Co. in 1874, and

The Waimea.

in later years her rig was changed from that of ship to barque. Her last visit to New Zealand was in 1895, and she was subsequently sold to a Norwegian firm for £2450. She did not fly her new flag for long, however, as shortly afterwards she was wrecked on the South African coast.

While in the New Zealand trade the Waimea made good average passages as a rule. Her best was her first, to Auckland, Captain Ayles bringing her out in 83 days, port to port, or the exceptionally good time of 76 days land to land. Her next best was to Wellington in 1888, under Captain Pottinger, 85 days port to port. In 1885 she made a long passage of 130 days to Port Chalmers, but on that occasion she encountered very severe weather during the first portion of the voyage, and had to put into the Cape. She left the Cape on January 30, and ran to the Snares in the very good time of 28 days.

The most exciting incident in the ship's career while trading to New Zealand happened in June, 1893, when she was bound from Wellington to Boston. After rounding the Horn a terrific explosion occurred one day, and so much damage was done that she had to put into Rio for repairs. The. origin of the explosion was never traced, but it was thought that it was caused by a boy named Clements, who was blown to pieces. This was the only casualty. Everyone on board got a great scarp, and felt that the ship had had a most providential escape.

Here follow the Waimea's passages to Zealand:—