The "MEROPE"
SHIP MEROPE, FROM GRAVESEND TO LYTTELTON
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Timaru Herald Tuesday 29 July 1879 page 2, column b
(from the Press, Monday)
But little over ten months has elapsed since the good ship Merope was in these waters, and her arrival on Saturday afternoon, eighty days from London, was occasion of much congratulations among Captain Sutherland's well-wishers. The Merope is now a barque, the alteration of her rig from a ship having been made since her last visit. The chief officer was Mr Thomas. Fifty-nine passengers in all classes embarked at Gravesend, and their number has been increased by one during the voyage, a birth of a daughter to Mrs Pentellow having occurred on July 13th. The medical requirements of the passengers were attended by Dr Rider Tivey. The Merope left Gravesend at 4 p.m., may 2nd, towed to the Downs, and left Deal may 3rd, at 8 a.m.. had light winds down the Channel, and landed the pilot May 5th, at 10 p.m., off the Start. The same light winds continued across the Bay, and merged into the N.E. trades. They were moderate, and carried the ship to 7N and 24 W. A few days' light winds and calms followed, and the equator was crossed in 24 W. on May 26th, having got the -E. trades in about 2 N. They took the ship to 23 S., which was made June 2nd, being then but thirty days out. Light easterly winds, or ranging from N.E. to S.E. followed thence to the Cape, the meridian of which was crossed June 23rd. Light variable winds still continued, and no westerly winds were fallen in with until making the Crozets. The weather was too thick to sight them. From there to the Snares, passed on Wednesday night, strong westerly winds were carried. The Snares was not sighted owning to the thickness of the weather. Had the only thing approaching a gale there, the ship having to be put under the two lower topsails. The wind was about west, and burst in terrific squalls, accompanied by a heavy sea. On Friday afternoon the Peninsula was made. The wind fell away and came ahead, and on Saturday was beating up the Heads. Was taken in tow by the p.s. Lyttelton, and anchored at 5 pm. On June 7th, in 29 S and 27.20 W. spoke the Carlisle Castle, bound from Plymouth to Melbourne, forty days out. The agents for the Merope are Messrs Edwards, Bennett and Co.
Her passengers for Canterbury are :- Saloon : Barnett F W Bell Reid William Bradshaw John Bradshaw Isabel Bradshaw Frank W Buckle John Buckle Mary Buckle Mary Buckle John Buckle Helen Buckle William Buckle Henry Buckle Charles Buckle Florence Buckle Sarah Burtt Charles E Houston Jos. Houston Julia Houston John Houston Eleanor Kelso S M Tivy Dr Vickers Charles Wilson Edward Wilson Emma Singer Frank Second cabin: Frean G W Gorrie Miss Elizabeth Hooper O Hopkinson Jas. Kaeterns J B Reynolds R Reynolds Harriet Robinson F.W. Steerage :- Banford Emily (with the Knight family) Clare Joseph Cook W J Crossman George Crossman Maria Gallagher Helen Gessick Charles Grant John Hampton D Knight Henry Knight Flora Knight Henry Knight Adeline Knight Clement Knight Elizabeth Pentelow J Pentelow M and child Robberds William T Robinson J Sinton William Smith Hiram Winter Henry Winter William
Another passenger list Timaru Herald Friday 27 June 1879 page 2