Rock City
This fine clipper ship was built at
Quebec by the same acomplished artificer as the far-famed Marco-Polo. She was a vessel of
597 tons, commanded by Captain T Cubbins, and made at that date the record run of 88 days
from London to Auckland harbour under adverse circumstances. The Rock City was on her
second voyage, having been launched the previous year. She sailed from Gravesend on the
6th march, 1855, and crossed the equator in 22 days. She sighted and was becalmed for five
days off Cape San Augustine, on the coast of Brazil, and on the 19th April passed in sight
of Gough's Island. Captain Cubbins made his passage under the great circle principle; the
ship was consequently carried into a high S latitude, from 50 to 52 degrees, where she
fell in with a considerable quantity of floating ice and large icebergs. On the 22 May the
ship made the high land of the Middle Island, having been forced to the eastward by N and
N E winds. Here she was again becalmed for three days. On the 1st June the cape Maria van
Diemen was sighted, and three days later, on the 4th June, she arrived at Auckland. She
brought out only 17 passengers.
White Wings - Sir Henry Brett
| Name | Age | County | Occupation | |
| Passengers | ||||
| Davies | Mr | Bound for Auckland | ||
| Mrs | ||||
| Davies | Mr | Bound for Auckland | ||
| Davis | Mr | Bound for New Plymouth | ||
| Hoskins | Charles | Bound for New Plymouth | ||
| Mrs | ||||
| Hoskins | Caleb | Bound for New Plymouth | ||
| Noble | H | Bound for Auckland | ||
| Norris | Mary Eleanor | Bound for Auckland | ||
| Patterson | Mr G | Bound for New Plymouth | ||
| Mrs | ||||
| Pierce | Thomas | Bound for New Plymouth | ||
| Reynolds | E W | Bound for Auckland | ||
| Thorn | James | Bound for Auckland | ||
| Tooth | Henry | Bound for Auckland | ||
| Mrs | ||||
| Trick | Charles | Bound for New Plymouth | ||
| Vickery | Amos | Bound for New Zealand | ||
Copyright Denise & Peter 2006
Reference:
Taranaki Herald July 25th 1855
The New Zealander June 6th 1855