THE OTAGO WITNESS
13 Feb 1858
THE ROBERT HENDERSON - The handsome new Aberdeen clipper
ship Robert Henderson, of 612 tons, has arrived at this
port, and her model has excited much admiration among
nautical men. On her passage to Clyde she displayed
extraordinary sailing powers, and stiffness under canvas.
She left Stromness on Wednesday the 7th inst. at 5 P.M.,
with a strong easterly gale, and at 3 A.M. of next day,
being unable to make out Scalpa Light, was hove to in the
Minch Passage. The light was discovered at 4 A.M., the
distance having thus been run at the rate of more than
fourteen knots an hour. Notwithstanding the terrific
weather she subsequently experienced, she made over
fourteen knots an hour on different occasions, and
accomplished the passage from Stromness to Clyde in 48
hours. Her poop accommodation is exceedingly spacious for
a vessel of her tonnage - the saloon being 50 feet long
and 7 feet high-and is tastefully decorated and fitted for
20 passengers. She is furnished with Cunningham's patent
reefing topsails, which have given her experienced
commander great satisfaction, who was by their means
enabled to carry on a new vessel with confidence. Her
steering gear, which is on the principle of a reverse
screw, is a novelty in this quarter, and is at once
efficient, simple, and economical. The Robert Henderson is
commanded and partly owned by Captain W. J. Cubitt, well
known at this port, and is intended for the China trade.
She is about to go into the Graving Dock to be coppered,
after which she will load for Dunedin, New Zealand, whence
she will proceed to China. Greenock Advertiser, Oct 16.
The fine new ship Robert Henderson, Captain Cubitt, with
immigrants from the Clyde; arrived at Port Chalmers on the
9th inst., after performing one of the quickest passages as
yet upon record, having made it in 79 days from land to land.
She took her final departure Nov. 12, and got the S.E. trades
in lat. 320 north, which continued steady to 8°. The S.E.
trade winds were caught in 4° south, and carried up to 25°,
calms and variable winds intervening. Passed the long. of the
Cape on the 5th January, and had a continuance of strong and
steady breezes until her arrival at the Snares, which were
reached on the 3rd February. Fogs and light easterly winds
prevented her from making the Harbour, and Captain Cubitt
found it necessary to anchor at the entrance to the Waitaki
on Sunday night; but the weather clearing, he was enabled to
enter the Heads at daylight on Tuesday morning. The passage
altogether was a very successful one, and proved the
qualities of the Robert Henderson as a good sailer and a
quiet steady going ship. Built upon the most approved plan,
and fitted out with every convenience that could be suggested
by her spirited owners, they now have the satisafaction of
knowing that they possess a valuable ship, which has fully
sustained the reputation of Aberdeen building; and that she
is commanded by a captain whose steadiness and perseverance
as a seaman, and his urbanity as a gentleman, could not be
surpassed, and have obtained for him the best wishes of those
who have been fortunate enough to sail with him. -Colonist.
THE OTAGO WITNESS
12 Oct 1861
THE "ROBERT HENDERSON."
This beautiful Clipper Ship arrived at the
Heads on Saturday, at 9, a. m., after one of her
usual rapid passages ; this being the third voy-
age she has made from the Clyde to this port
with Immigrants. She left the Tail of the Bank
on Thursday evening, the 11th July, and expe-
rienced fine weather to the Line, which was
crossed on the 31st day ; the Cape, was passed
on the 30th, and the Snares was sighted on Fri-
day last, thus occupying 84 days from land to
land, and 85 days from port to port. - The
weather experienced in the South Sea was
blustery and changeable, with a good deal of rain
and a very low Barometer - on one occasion it
went down to 28, the ship being hove to at the
time to a N. E. gale. There was thus no oppor-
tunity of testing the high rate of speed of the
ship, the greatest distance made during the
course of any one week being 1,750 nautical
miles. The passengers have been remarkably
healthy, the only casualty being the death of
one of the females from consumption. This
doubtless arises from the excellent arrangements
made for their comfort. The utmost harmony
has been maintained amongst the passengers,
and the conduct of all has been excellent. A
series of concerts were given during the fine
weather; and amongst other startling novelties
a band of Ethiopian Serenaders caused much
amusement, both to young and old - the hearty
laughter on those occasions doing more good
than the contents of the medicine chest. The
state of health of the children has been very
satisfactory ; an extra quantity of farinacious
food and milk, put on board by the agents, have
been found very beneficial. After arrival, Cap-
tain Logan, in addition to a valedictory address
signed by all the passengdrs, received a more
substantial token of the respect and esteem in
which he is held by them in the shape of a purse
of sovereigns. Dr. Somerville, the Surgeon,
was also presented with an address, marking the
kindly feelings created by his uniform attention
to the wants of the passengers.
THE SOUTHLAND TIMES
9th March 1863
NOTICE.
Ship Robert Henderson
Assisted Immigrants are informed that the bills for
passage-money by the above ship are now due, and
must be paid by them during all March.
Legal proceedings will be promptly taken against all
defaulters after the lst April next.
Nath. Chalmers
Provincial Treasurer
Treasury, Southland
9th March l863
Converted to electronic form by Corey Woodw@rd
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