Doric, S.?., 4753, J.W. Jennings, from London. Passengers -
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Second Saloon:
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Joseph E. Bretherton,
Edith A. Bretherton,
C.E. Bretherton
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The New Zealand Shipping Company's chartered steamship Doric came into harbour upon her second visit to this port from London shortly after four o'clock yesterday afternoon, after a passage of 51 days from London, and 49 days from Plymouth. The news that this fine steamship was signalled soon spread through the town, and in a very short time streams of well-dressed people were to be seen strolling down to the Queen-street Wharf, all eager to get a glimpse of this magnificent vessel. Numbers availed themselves of the opportunity offered by the running of the North Shore steamers to go across the harbour to watch the veesel [sic] coming in from the sea. The day was beautifully fine, and those who wended their way to the top of Mount Victoria were well repaid for their trouble by the splendid view that met their gaze. In addition to the Doric the Union Company's steamship Penguin was also coming into port from the Fijis, she leading the way by some two or three miles. Upon the first visit of the Doric it will be remembered she anchored off the quarantine hulk Clara Hargreaves, but yesterday she steamed right up the harbour, under charge of Pilot W. Burgess, casting anchor, off the Queen-street Wharf, there to await the arrival of the Health Officer, Dr. Philson. That gentleman, accompanied by Mr. O. Mays, Immigration Officer, was promptly on board, and the cleanliness of the ship on arrival was such that Dr. Philson complimented both Captain Jennings and the Medical Superintendent, and that it was so throughout the voyage is borne out by the fact that no sickness of any kind made its appearance. The health of all was most satisfactory. Two deaths occurred - one, Mrs. Howard, aged 30 years, of consumption ; and the other being J. H. Smith, aged 5 years, of convulsions. Both were second-class passengers. Dr. E. G. Levonge acted as Medical Superintendent, and that he acquitted himself well is to be found in the state of the ship, and the condition in which his charges arrived. Dr. Philson at once admitted the ship to pratique, and she is to be berthed at the outer end of the Queen-street Wharf at daylight this morning, and she will at once commence the discharge of her cargo, amongst which are 900 tons of railway rails for the New Zealand Government. Consignees, we may here mention, are desired to take immediate steps to pass entries, obtain delivery orders, and remove their goods from the ship's side. As a consequence of any delay, all cargo impeding the discharge will be landed and stored at consignees' risk and expense. The immigrants who have arrived by the Doric (none are for this port, only free passengers) are spoken of as a most respectable class of people, and their behaviour during tho voyage has been all that could be desired. The men are principally of the artizan class, and the single women mostly come under the heading of domestic servants. Captain Jennings, who comes out to this port in the room of Captain Metcalfe - is a stranger to the port. He is highly spoken of by his passengers as a skilful navigator and a most courteous commander. He is well known in the White Star Line, and has always held a high name amongst those who have travelled with him. The only other alterations in the personnel of the officers is in the engineers' department - Mr. A. Morrison coming as chief of that important part of the Doric. Mr. T. C. Owen comes in his old and important post as purser, and we have to acknowledge his courtesy in supplying us with details of the passage and English files, and for other favours. The passengers all speak very highly of the attention shown to them during the voyage, which has been a most uneventful one, only particularly noticeable for the extreme fineness of the weather throughout. The Doric left London on the 13th of December last, and steamed down to Plymouth, where her passengers embarked. Sailed on the 15tb of the same month, and reached St. Vincent, Cape de Verds [sic], on the 25th, leaving again the next day. Crossed the equator on the last day of the year, and crossed the meridian of the Cape of Good Hope on the 10th January, at 3 a.m. Reached Hobart at 9 p.m. on the 28th of January, and sailed again at 6 p.m. an the 29th, arriving in port as stated above. The Doric will proceed South with all possible speed, calling at Wellington and Lyttelton, proceeding from the latter port direct to London. The following vessels were spoken by the Doric during the voyage:- January 11, 7 a.m., latitude 37.34 S., longitude 23.55 E., passed barquentlne Polly, of Greenock, bound east; all well. January 14, 6 a.m., latitude 43.40 S., longitude 41.45 E., passed barque James Wishart, of Leith, from Clyde to Otago ; all well.
Source: New Zealand Herald 4 February 1884, Page 4