The Auckland

The Auckland was one of the fastest and smartest looking vessels of the day. Built in 1874 at Robert Duncan's yards on lines of perfect symmetry, she was a thing of beauty, bringing joy to many a sailor's heart.

Between 1874 and 1902, she made 25 voyages to New Zealand, with 19 of those being to Dunedin.

On one occasion she is recorded doing over 300 miles per day for eight days, often recording 16 knots.

The Captains of the Marlborough and Dunedin put up a sporting 50 pound sweep for the first ship to reach London. These two vessels were never seen again after leaving port - it is though they both met ice, and were sunk without trace.

The Auckland was captained by Charles James Stewart for 12 years, and during this time she made many a fast voyage to New Zealand in under 100 days. On March 6th 1909, she was wrecked in a gale off Possession Island, South West Africa.
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