250 miles. We are now 18 days from Port Phillip Heads, and have experienced two days calm, two days westerly winds and for 14 days the winds have been from E.S.E. and S. The last 10 days we have sailed close to the wind. She makes no more water in a storm than she does in a calm.Thursday, 11th June.—Lat. 56° 40′ S., long. 67° 12′ W. Distance 170 miles. About midday we were about 50 miles to south of Cape Horn. In the evening the wind changed round to N.E. and blew with great fury, and we had to lay to under single-reefed fore and main topsail. I believe it may with truth be said that few vessels have had a more trying passage to the Horn than our good shipLightning. On our clearing Port Phillip Heads, the winds were light and baffling from the east, compelling us to take the western passage round Van Dieman’s Land. Shortly after we encountered a heavy gale from the south, during which we were at one time reduced to close-reefed main topsail and main trysail, the ship behaving nobly. After this the wind headed us and continued to blow from S. by E. to S.E. by E. for space of 23 days, during which time we ran 4237 miles from long. 160° E. to 84° W., rendering it quite impossible to get further to the south than 54°, keeping us between the parallels of 51° and 54°, blowing very heavy—reducing our canvas at times to close-reefed topsails and courses. During all this, our noble ship behaved admirably, making, as our parallel of sailing will prove, very little leeway. This is the fifth trip the writer has made round the Horn in less than four years, in various ships, and it is not saying too much when he states that he does not believe any one of them would have made the distance in the same time, having the same difficulties to contend with. It has been done in the short space of 31 days, in the face of unprecedented difficulties as the following short summary will show.Calms and Light Winds, 3 days; Variable, 3 days; From S.W. to N.W., 2 days; From S. by E. to S.E. by E., 23 days. Total 31 days.On the 2nd May, 1855, the writer sailed from Port Phillip in theRed Jacketand reached Cape Horn in 34 days, but without one day’s check from head winds.Sunday, 14th June.—Staten Island in sight to eastward. A sail visible on lee bow, steering same course as ourselves. At 11 o’clock came up to her and spoke the American shipAspasia, of Mystic, from California for New York.Wednesday, 1st July.—Lat. 12° 44′ S., long. 37° 30′ W. Distance 192 miles. At 9 a.m. we were opposite Bahia and later in the day the land was just visible.Monday, 6th July.—Lat. 0° 45′ N., long. 32° 23′ W. Distance 258 miles. At 7 a.m. crossed the line.
250 miles. We are now 18 days from Port Phillip Heads, and have experienced two days calm, two days westerly winds and for 14 days the winds have been from E.S.E. and S. The last 10 days we have sailed close to the wind. She makes no more water in a storm than she does in a calm.
Thursday, 11th June.—Lat. 56° 40′ S., long. 67° 12′ W. Distance 170 miles. About midday we were about 50 miles to south of Cape Horn. In the evening the wind changed round to N.E. and blew with great fury, and we had to lay to under single-reefed fore and main topsail. I believe it may with truth be said that few vessels have had a more trying passage to the Horn than our good shipLightning. On our clearing Port Phillip Heads, the winds were light and baffling from the east, compelling us to take the western passage round Van Dieman’s Land. Shortly after we encountered a heavy gale from the south, during which we were at one time reduced to close-reefed main topsail and main trysail, the ship behaving nobly. After this the wind headed us and continued to blow from S. by E. to S.E. by E. for space of 23 days, during which time we ran 4237 miles from long. 160° E. to 84° W., rendering it quite impossible to get further to the south than 54°, keeping us between the parallels of 51° and 54°, blowing very heavy—reducing our canvas at times to close-reefed topsails and courses. During all this, our noble ship behaved admirably, making, as our parallel of sailing will prove, very little leeway. This is the fifth trip the writer has made round the Horn in less than four years, in various ships, and it is not saying too much when he states that he does not believe any one of them would have made the distance in the same time, having the same difficulties to contend with. It has been done in the short space of 31 days, in the face of unprecedented difficulties as the following short summary will show.
Calms and Light Winds, 3 days; Variable, 3 days; From S.W. to N.W., 2 days; From S. by E. to S.E. by E., 23 days. Total 31 days.
On the 2nd May, 1855, the writer sailed from Port Phillip in theRed Jacketand reached Cape Horn in 34 days, but without one day’s check from head winds.
Sunday, 14th June.—Staten Island in sight to eastward. A sail visible on lee bow, steering same course as ourselves. At 11 o’clock came up to her and spoke the American shipAspasia, of Mystic, from California for New York.
Wednesday, 1st July.—Lat. 12° 44′ S., long. 37° 30′ W. Distance 192 miles. At 9 a.m. we were opposite Bahia and later in the day the land was just visible.
Monday, 6th July.—Lat. 0° 45′ N., long. 32° 23′ W. Distance 258 miles. At 7 a.m. crossed the line.
Wednesday, 15th July.—Lat. 24° 59′ N., long. 45° 22′ W. Distance 300 miles. The wind keeps steady and strong.Tuesday, 21st July.—Lat. 40° 57′ N., long. 38° 25′ W. Distance 254 miles. Wind S.W., a strong breeze, running before it with stunsails set on both sides at rate of 10 to 12 knots. The ’tween deck passengers presented the baker (Mr. W. Grainger) with an address to-day, thanking him for his attention to their comfort.Friday, 31st July.—At 9.30 a.m., Land Ho! Ould Ireland is in sight. At 5 p.m. passed the Tuskar. Wind right aft.
Wednesday, 15th July.—Lat. 24° 59′ N., long. 45° 22′ W. Distance 300 miles. The wind keeps steady and strong.
Tuesday, 21st July.—Lat. 40° 57′ N., long. 38° 25′ W. Distance 254 miles. Wind S.W., a strong breeze, running before it with stunsails set on both sides at rate of 10 to 12 knots. The ’tween deck passengers presented the baker (Mr. W. Grainger) with an address to-day, thanking him for his attention to their comfort.
Friday, 31st July.—At 9.30 a.m., Land Ho! Ould Ireland is in sight. At 5 p.m. passed the Tuskar. Wind right aft.
THE RUN.FromMelbourne to Cape Horn31days„Cape Horn to Equator25„„Equator to Azores15„„Azores to Liverpool11„82days.75 days on the starboard tack.Longest run in 24 hours384milesShortest run in 24 hours25„Best week’s run, 11th to 17th July1723„