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White Wings Vol I. Fifty Years Of Sail In The New Zealand Trade, 1850 TO 1900
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When the two ships Timaru and Oamaru were being built for Patrick Henderson it was his Intention to name them Scotia and Albion, but just before they were launched in 1874, the names were changed. The tonnage of the two ships was just about 1300, and both were built by Scott, of Greenock in 1874; the Oamaru being launched in October, and the Timaru in December. the Timaru was a flyer, and accomplished some very fast runs out and
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Home She made three passages to Dunedin under Captain Fullerton in 74, 78, and 79 days, port to port, or 72, 73, and 74 days land to land. Captain Taylor was in command from 1877 until 1880, and he brought the Timaru out to Dunedin in 79, 85, 85, or 88 days port to port; and 76, 81, 80, or 84 land to land. On one of these passages (1879) the ship, whilst running her easting down averaged 270 miles a day for 17 days. Captain Taylor on two occasions was reported in the Channel after a run of 68 and 72 days. These passages were made in 1878 and in 1880 from Port Chalmers.
the Timaru Under Patrick Henderson's Flag.
the Timaru was built and fitted up expressly for carrying passengers, and would frequently land from 400 to 500 at Dunedin from Scotland.
Captain Taylor, writes Mr. Basil Lub-bock, "was rather fond of sending bottles adrift, a common practice in the old days, and he was lucky enough to have two picked up in five years. One which he threw over in 12 N. in the Atlantic, was picked up in the Gulf of Guinea; and the other, thrown over just east of the Cape Meridian, was washed up on the beach in Western Australia."