Echunga
Ship: 1000 tons
Captain:
Surgeon Superintendent:
Sailed London 2nd September 1862 - arrived Lyttelton 24th December 1862

The Echunga was a large ship of 1000 tons, but she was not a clipper, her record passage to New Zealand being 103 days to Lyttleton. This was her first voyage out. She sailed from London on the 10th September, 1862, with 332 immigrants, for Timaru and Lyttleton, and arrived at the latter port on the ssnd December. At Timaru it was discovered that no provision had been made for their reception, although the Government knew as far back as May that a large batch of immigrants would arrive about that time. The barracks, which should have been ready, were only just started. When the first batch of passengers landed, in heavy rain, they found men preparing to erect some tents, and the voyagers had to lay down and rest on the grass, as not even straw had been provided. The consequence was that a large number refused to go ashore, and demanded to be taken to Lyttleton, as their contract tickets were made out for Canterbury, and did not bind them to land at Timaru. Four deaths occurred during the voyage.
White Wings - Sir Henry Brett.