THE MYSTERY

The MYSTERY departed London on 18th October, 1861 and arrived in Lyttelton on 7th January, 1862, with Captain H Stapp in command.

Transcribed from the "Lyttelton Times" for Wednesday, 8 January, 1862.

The above ship, with immigrants, arrived yesterday afternoon, having made a remarkably quick passage. She sighted the coast of New Zealand in 79 days from the date of her departure from England, and entered Lyttelton on the 80th, making one of the smartest passages yet recorded from London to Lyttelton. She landed a portion of the Government immigrants yesterday, all ofwhom are in good health. Itwill be remembered that the Mystery visited this port about two years and a half ago, with immigrants. Captain Matthews, who then commanded her, has since died at Hong Kong. Her present commander, who was then chief officer, must be congra­tulated on the success of his first voyage. The Surgeon Superintendent has also visited this port before in the same capacity on board the Westminster. The deaths of two infants are recorded.

The following account of the voyage has been handed us by one of the passengers:- The ship Mystery, 1074 tons register, 1800 tons burthen, H.Stap, master, left Gravesend on the 19th October, with 280 passengers, and on the 21st the pilot left her off the Start; on the 24th and 25th she was becalmed, still on soundings; she entered the tropics on the 4th November, and on the 6th passed the Island of San Antonio. On the 9th spoke an American whaler, receiving oranges and bananas in exchange for newspapers; the mate took charge of a mail for England, which would be forwarded by first ship. On the 15th November 17 ships were in sight in the morning, in long. 27 ° 13’ and in the course of the day all but one tacked and stood to the eastward; the wind being S.S.W. Captain Stap held on the westerly course and on the 17th crossed the line about 11 a.m. in 32° 28’. The following day the ship was visited by Neptune and Amphitrite, and seven sailors who had not before crossed the line were duly shaved. Throughout the week the ship held on at an average speed of 10 knots, crossing the tropic on the evening of November 23, and the meridian of the Cape of Good Hope the 8th December; passing the Snares at eight a.m. on the 4th January, 74½ days from leaving land, having traversed 14,760 miles in that time, making the average rate of 8¾ knots. On the coast of New Zealand, calms and contrary winds checked her way, but she dropped anchor off Lyttelton, on 7th January, at two p.m. Only 2 deaths occurred on the voyage, both infants, one in the chief cabin, and the other among the emigrants. The weather was generally fine, but very cold from the Cape to N. Z.; winds moderate, but on New Year's day it blew a gale, and a heavy sea pooping the ship, carried both life boats away.

The following is a list of Provincial Government immigrants:-

Married Couples

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Copyright - Gavin W Petrie - 2012