The Lyttelton.

A vessel that made some remarkable passages both from Glasgow and London to Port Chalmers, which was her only port of call in the colony, was the Shaw, Savill and Albion Co.'s Lyttelton, one of the last ships to be built for that line by the famous Robert Duncan, of Glasgow. Of the seven voyages she made out to New Zealand only once did she exceed 90 days. On her maiden trip in 1879 she ran out in 86 days, or 82 land to land. In 1881 she was only 77 days between the Scilly Islands and the Snares, her best day's run on that voyage being 312 miles. The fastest passage recorded by this smart craft

the Lyttelton At Port Chalmers.

was made in 1883. She left Gravesend on April 3, crossed the Equator 24 days later, rounded the Cape on May 21, and anchored in Port Chalmers on June 20-78 days dock to anchorage. Her first landfall was Long Point, which was reached from Start Point in 73 days.

Captain Strang commanded the Lyttelton on the first six voyages to New Zealand, and then in 1886 she was taken over by Captain Boardman, who made a good run out in 89 days. From Dunedin the Lyttelton on this occasion went to Timaru to load for London. When fully loaded she was being towed out to sea by the steamer Grafton, but the towline fouling the steamer's propeller the ship dropped anchor. When the line was cleared, and the steamer began towing again, the Lyttelton went over the fluke of her own anchor, and sank within twenty minutes.

For several years her hull was a nuisance to shipping. The services of the Torpedo Corps were eventually called into requisition, and before the wreck and her cargo were shifted no less than 2000lbs. weight of gun-cotton was used. Not only had the hull to be shattered, but a hole had to be blasted big enough to bury the debris, so as to leave a clear channel. Captain Falkner was in charge of the operation, and his second was Mr. W. Pacey, who is at present living at Vauxhall, Devonport.

Following are the seven voyages made to Port Chalmers by the Lyttelton, the first two and the third being from the Clyde, and the rest from London:—