ARRIVAL OF THE ARDENCRAIG
Otago Witness May 17th 1862
The Ardencraig has arrived from London, after a passage of more than four months; and the cargo of this vessel with that of the Maria, (in to-day from Sydney) will keep our market well supplied with goods for some time to come.
ARRIVAL OF THE ARDENCRAIG
Nelson Examiner & New Zealand
Chronicle May 7th 1862
Eight very valuable Saxon Merino rams and two ewes were landed yesterday from the ship Ardencraig, from London. These sheep, bred in Germany, are of pure blood, and give a heavy fleece with wool of the finest quality. We shall be glad to find that the spirited efforts of the gentleman who has imported these valuable animals are appreciated by our flockmasters, and we make no doubt but that they will gladly embrace the opportunity now afforded them of improving the breed of their flocks, as a change of blood is much wanted here.
FIRE ON BOARD THE
ARDENCRAIG
Nelson Examiner & New Zealand
Chronicle July 12th 1862
A fire ocourred on board the ship Ardencraig, on Monday evening, June 16, between four and five o'clock, which, at a later hour, caused much excitement, in consequence of an alarm being sounded by the firebell.
Smoke having been observed issuing from the forepeak of the Ardencraig, which had but recently cleared outwards in ballast for Callao, intelligence was conveyed to the agents, who speedily took every possible means for obtaining assistance in subduing the fire. The engine from town, and another, supplied by Mr. Johns, were promptly on the spot, and, after some hours of incessant work, in consequence of the fire being in the fore-peak, and the vessel being down by the stern at least two feet, the fire was fortunately subdued at about three o'clock on Tuesday morning, without any serious injury to the vessel. It is with much pleasure we refer our readers to the letters below, from the captain and agents of the vessel. A survey was held on the morning of June 17, when the following certificate was supplied to the agents : -
"At a survey called on board the ship
Ardencraig, at the request of Captain Page, and held this day to inquire into the cause
and extent of a fire on board his ship.
"After a careful survey, we, the undersigned, find that the damage is not of a
serious nature, and nothing whatever in extent to prohibit the ship Ardencrajg from at
once proceeding on her voyage. The fire has originated evidently in the fore-peak, but we
are in entire ignorance as to its cause.
"Dated at Nelson, on board the Ardencraig, the seventeenth day of June, 1862.
Daniel Stewart
Master of Ship Cornelia
P. Greig
Of the Brig Lalla Rookh
Witness to the signature -
Nath. Edward
of Nelson, Merchant
John Sharp
Registrar Supreme Court, Nelson
The following are the letters published by the
captain and the agents:
TO THE INHABITANTS OF NELSON, WHO ASSISTED AT THE FIRE ON BOARD THE ARDENCRAIG
"Gentlemen - I cannot, in too strong a manner, express my feelings and
thanks to you for the kind assistance you rendered me in aiding to subdue the fire which
broke out on board my ship last evening, and I would only wish that I had it in my power
to return you a more substantial proof of the very high appreciation at which I hold the
great services you so promptly rendered me, for which please now receive my most grateful
acknowledgements.
I am, Gentlemen
James Page
Commander.
Nelson, June I7
TO MR EDWARD EVERETT, AND THE MEMBERS OF THE NELSON FIRE BRIGADE
Gentlemen - As agents for the ship Ardencraig, on fire in the harbour last night,
we beg to return you thanks for your very praiseworthy and disinterested exertions, to
which, in a great measure, is to be attributed success in overcoming the disaster. At one
time it appeared that nothing less than scuttling the vessel would have subdued the fire
in her lower hold, and had it not been for every exertion used by yourselves, and those
who promptly assisted you, the result would, we fear, have been very much more serious
than, fortunately, it has proved to be.
Yours
truly
Nath.
Edwards and Co
Agents
for the Ardencraig
Nelson,
June 17, 1862
Return of the Ardencraig - The ship Ardencraig, which left here on Wednesday evening, June 18, for Callao, put back on the 20th June, Captain Page requiring medical assistance for the chief officer, who, in the heavy gale from the N. W. on Thursday evening June 18, at about eight o'clock, fell overboard from the main yard, and struck the vessel in the act of falling. Fortunately, Captain Page, who was, on the poop at the time, saw the mate falling, and at once threw him over a rope, by which means he was hauled on board. There was a strong gale blowing at the time, with a very heavy sea on. The vessel proceeds to sea again immediately.