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'LADY RUTHVEN'
The following is a transcript from the Otago Witness,
28 July 1877, Page 11.
Reference:
Papers Past
ARRIVAL OF THE LADY RATHVEN. A close race for first honours
has been run between this fine ship and the smart Taranaki, and that the
event proved to close is certainly creditable to the latter, for she succeeded
in taking the race against odds. It was, however, a very near thing, for both
vessels sailed on the same day, May 2nd, the one from London, the other from
Glasgow, and both arrived on the same day, the Glasgow ship being some 16 hours
in advance The Lady Ruthven is no mean opponent for any ship that sails the
seas, for she is a remarkably handsome and powerful vessel , beautifully lined,
most faithfully built, and liberally appointed. When we say that she was turned
out of the yard of' those noted builders, the Messrs R. Steele and Company, of
Greenock it will be understood that no pains were spared to render her perfect
at all points. She is next to a new ship, having been launched in 1875,
was built for the Calcutta trade, and made two voyages in it, and is now on her
third. She is a half-poop and topgallant-forecastle ship, with a magnificently
roomy main deck, and her passenger accommodation, if limited, is exceedingly
comfortable. Amongst her equipments is a powerful steam winch, a first-rate
condenser, and a patent windlass, workable by either steam or hand. Her
dimensions are : Length, 254 ft. keel, 270 ft. overall ; beam, 39ft.; depth of
hold, 23ft. ; registered tonnage, 1691. She is very like that fine ship the
Baron Blantyre, lately here, and is owned by Mr G. Adams and others, of
Greenock. Her commander, Captain Welsh, is on his first visit to this port, and
we have to thank him for the substance of the following report :— The Lady
Ruthven left London on May 1st, dropped down to Gravesend and shipped seven tons
of powder, and sailed on the 2nd. Had light variable but leading winds down
Channel, and cleared the land on the 5th, then taking her departure from the
Lizard....
The Koputai picked her up ten miles off shore, and towed her in. The
Lady Ruthven ran her longitude down between the 44th and 50th parallels, and
sighted no ice during the passage, nor communicated with any vessels. She has
brought a large cargo of over 3000 tons, of which 1000 tons is deadweight. Her
passengers numbered 50 when she left London, but death levied tribute by the
way, carrying off two of them. The first to leave was Mrs North, an old lady
aged 72, who succumbed to her fourth attack of paralysis on May 15th. On July
20th, Mr Gilbert Nevill, a saloon passenger, who was on his way out to New
Zealand in search of health, died of consumption. He was related to Bishop
Nevill, and was coming to him — was aged 28 years. Dr Cupiss, surgeon of the
ship, attended to him to the last, but his care was hopeless.
Lady Ruthven, ship, 1591 tons, D. Welsh, from Gravesend
-May 2nd. New Zealand Shipping Company, - agents. Passengers : Dr Cupiss, Mr
Mills.
Second cabin — Mr and Mrs Gilford and family, Misses Foreman, Wood (2), Parratt
(2), Messrs Harding, Hulme, Fitch, Dowrand, Barnett, Plant, Woolf, Bruce, Perks,
Fawcett, Mitburn.
Steerage — Mr and and Mrs Doyle and family, Mr and Mrs Taylor and family, Mr and
Mrs M'Donald, Messrs Briston, Palmer, Higgins, Bamford, Bell, Rundell, Hudson,
Smith, Duval, Henderson.
Otago Witness, 23 June 1877, Page 8
ENGLISH SHIPPING.
Vessels from Port Chalmers: Arrived in London,
April 22nd, Timaru and Mataura;
April 23rd, Elizabeth Graham.
Sailed for Port Chalmers :
April 20th, Pomona;
Apri1 28th, Lady Ruthven. Passengers — Barnford Robt. Barratt Miss Mary Barratt Miss Susan Bell George Bennett Hugh Bristow E. B. Bruce Ernest Capeso Dr Doyle John wife, and family Drund A. Duvall H. W. Fawcett William Finch Sidney Forman Miss Gifford Mr E. A. and wife and family Gilbert Mr Gordon Mr Harding Mr W. Henderson Jas., Higgins Wm. Henry Hudson Thomas Hulme Henry N. McDonald Mr and Mrs John Milburn Jas. Mills Mr Neville Mr North Mr and Mrs Palmer Thos. Perks Walter Plant Wm. Jas. Russell Geo., Smith Henry Taylor William, wife, and family Wood Miss Isabella Wood Miss Fanny Woolfe Jas.