ARRIVAL OF THE LORRAINE
The New Zealand Herald January 26th 1878

The signal which denoted a barque inside Tiritiri turned out to be the above vessel, consigned to the new Zealand Shipping Company. She has made a remarkably quick passage of 75 days from land to land, and 83 days from the Start. There are upwards of 30 passengers on board, who have enjoyed excellent health, and the voyage has been void of any remarkable incident. The Lorraine brought up at the North Heads about midnight, and will come up the harbour this morning.

ARRIVAL OF THE LORRAINE
The New Zealand Herald January 28th 1878

This vessel arrived off the North Head from London, early on Saturday morning, the fact of which we were only just able to record in Saturdays Herald. She has made the quickest run of any vessel for a long time past, having made the passage from the Downs in 83, and that after coming "South about" (i.e. by way of Stewart's Island southward of Otago), a most unusual thing with London vessels bound to this port. It is now nearly ten years since and English vessel came to Auckland by the same track. Stewart's Island was sighted 85 days out, and along the coast the Lorraine has consequently been highly favoured. She is a smart-looking iron barque of 828 tons register, commanded by Captain Gronsund, and is evidently a fast clipper. Her log records many splendid days work, the greatest distance run being 286 miles, on Christmas day. She carries the flag of the New Zealand Shipping Co., and, besides bringing a heavy cargo, has on board 30 passengers, the whole of whom have enjoyed excellent health. The passage has been devoid of any accident or disease, and the vessel arrives in port in first rate condition, a credit to the captain and officers. On board the monotony of sea life has been relieved by a series of amusements, these usually pertaining to a long voyage, such as concerts, &c., and in carrying out these successfully have met with the esteem of those  to their charge, as evidenced by the appended testimonial. The following record of the voyage has been furnished by captain Gronsund:- Sailed from the Downs on the 14th October, but had to put back owing to the fierce S W gales, which continued unremittingly for upwards of a fortnight. Started down Channel at last on the 31st October. Off Start point on the 2nd November. Had westerly gales on the the Bay of Biscay for a week. Had moderate trades, and crosssed the Equator on the 28th November. Carried the S E trades to 25 S. Passed the meridian of the Cape on the 19th December. Ran down the easting in 47 and 48 S, with heavy gales from N W and S W. Passed the meridian of the South Cape of Tasmania on the 12th instant, and came S about, being off Cook Straits on the 20th. There experienced a heavy gale from the N W. Rounded the East Cape on the 23rd, and on the 24th lay becalmed between the Great barrier and Cape Colville. Got a slight S W breeze on Friday morning, which continued during the day, the ship making slow progress. Took pilot on board at 8 p m Friday, and anchored off the North Head at midnight. Had stormy weather at the outset; fine weather in the Atlantic, and strong gales in the Southern Ocean, culminating in a very heavy on the 15th instant, the day before sighting land. The barque early on Saturday morning discharged into lighters 300 barrels of gunpowder, and in the evening ran up the harbour, and anchored off the western side of the Wharf. The following is the testimonial presented to the captain by the passengers:-

                                                                                                                                                     Barque Lorraine
                                                                                                                                     Auckland N Z, January 25 1878
To Captain R M Gronsund
   Dear Sir:- having safely completed our voyage to this city in the good ship under your command, we desire on leaving to express our appreciation of the uniform courtesy and consideration which as passengers we have received at your hands.
   While it would be out of place to compliment you on nautical skill, we can only say that should we ever be placed in circumstances to need it, we should be glad to select a vessel navigated by yourself.
   The state of your health, happily somewhat improved already, we hope will continue to mend with each successive voyage you may take.
   We leave in your hands to convey to the New Zealand Shipping Company our perfect satisfaction withe the quantity and quality of the provisions supplied, and with the manner in which they have been issued.
   Wishing you every happiness in the future, we are, dear sir, yours sincerely:-

Here signed by many of the passengers