ARRIVAL OF THE NIMROUD
The Daily
Southern Cross April 29th 1863
The ship Nimroud, Captain Edmonds, from london, arrived in harbour about eleven o'clock on Monday night, after a passage from the downs of 108 days. She left the docks on the 23rd december, and gravesend on the 25th, bringing up in the Downs on the 26th, blowing a heavy gale from the S W. Left the Downs on the 31st, and on the 2nd January, meeting with very heavy gales, put back into the downs, taking her final departure on the 9th. On the 10th saw Start Point, and on the 26th sighted the island of St Antoine. Crossed the Equator on the 4th February, in long 24o W., and on the 24th met with a severe gale with heavy head sea which washed away the whole of the head rails and knees. Passed the meridian of the cape in 43o 30' S and ran down the Easting in 44o 30' to 45o 30' S., with wind mostly at N to N W. On the 4th March spoke the ship Royal Bride, for Auckland, in lat 41o 38' S long 22o W. On the 14th April sighted the South Cape of Tasmania. Experience one days fresh gale from S E. From thence to the Three Kings, which were sighted on the 24th, had light S S W winds. Becalmed off the Kings and during Monday had a fresh gale from N E to N N E, weather very thick and hazy. She brings a total of 140 passengers, and a general cargo. Three deaths and two births occurred during the passage. The deaths were James Hall, aged 37; Berthald Duffner, aged 16 and an infant born on board while the ship was in the Downs.
The Nimroud is a fine vessel of 1,022 tons, with excellent saloon accomodation, and by what we could judge amid the confusion and crowded state of the decks (the usual attendance upon the arrival of a vessel with a large number of passengers) appears in a very clean and creditable condition. Of her captain's ability as a seaman, and courtesy as a companion, we allow the following with which he was presented, to speak for itself:-
Ship
Nimroud 28th April, 1863
Dear Sir - We, the undersigned passengers on board the Nimroud, from London to Auckland,
cannot part from you now that we have reached our destination, without proving to you how
much we have felt your kind courtesy towards us. We have been blessed with a good passage,
but on the occasions on which we have experienced heavy weather, your watchfulness and
care have been the theme of our praise, at such time you have been constant upon deck a
vigilant seaman. Fair weather has seen you down below a courteous host; and both parts you
have fulfilled admirably. Your universal attention to our comforts and welfare has helped
much to shorten the hours of a long voyage. We have to thank you greatly, and as a slight
return for what you have done for us, beg your acceptance of the accompanying purse,
leaving to yourself the option of purchasing a piece of plate, - and every happiness in
the future. That you may have a prosperous voyage, not only homewards, but through life,
and return in safety to enjoy the domestic comforts of home; and that you and yours may
ever posess health, joy, and contentment for the remainder of your years is the earnest
with of your sincere friends.
(Signed)
John
Wallace
And
the remainder of the Cabin passengers
To
J Edmonds Esq
Master
of the ship Nimroud
We would mention that the Nimroud was in this port about two years ago, under the command of Captain Harrison; her present commander has also been here before as chief officer of the Avon, in 1860. The chief and second officers now on board the Nimroud came in her in the same capacity when last here, under Captain Harrison.