THE OTAGO WITNESS
10 Sep 1859

THE S.S. PIRATE

                   
This smart steamer arrived here quite unex-
pected from Melbourne on Monday morning, hav-
ing only been absent from this port some 25 days.
She left Western Port on Sunday the 28th ult., at
10 a.m., and has had a pretty good run down, ar-
riving at the Bluff on the Sunday following, where
she landed a number of her passengers. She left
the Bluff at 4 in the afternoon, and dropped anchor
at Port Chalmers at 8 o'clock next morning, thus
making her passage under eight days. She met
with strong southerly gales and heavy head sea
during the voyage : sighted a large ship under close
reefed topsails steering in the same direction on
Thursday at dusk,, supposed to be a vessel for this
port. The "Pirate" has brought a full comple-
ment of passengers, with from 200 to 250 tons of
cargo, and 17 horses.  We learn that Mr. Mac-
andrew, while in Melbourne, made arrangements
to have the carrying capacity of the vessel con-
siderably enlarged, and the accommodation for and
comfort of passengers very much increased. She
is to have a poop and other improvements, which
will provide for a greater number of passengers
than heretofore, and will also give room for 1000
sheep, 22 horses, 300 tons of cargo, besides coals
for 18 days' steaming. Arrangements have also
been made to bring down by her to this Province
1000 sheep each trip for the next fifteen months.


THE OTAGO WITNESS
30 Jun 1860

The steamship Pirate left Port Chalmers on Wednesday, 9th
May, and in consequence of the key dropping out of the 
propeller, was obliged to be hauled on shore at the Bluff
Harbour, which port she left on Wednesday evening, 17th, 
and has experienced a series of gales from the westward 
until reaching Tasmania, on Sunday, 27. Saw the schooner 
Ariel, passing Bluff Harbour, on the 14th; spoke the brig
Gil Blas on Saturday, 26th, bound to Melbourne. The 
following testimonial was presented by the passengers:-

 "To Captain Robertson and the Officers of the s.s. Pirate

 "We, the undersigned, passengers per steamer Pirate,
  cannot part from you without expressing our obligations
  to you for the skill and ability with which you have
  conducted us and the good ship Pirate in safety to our
  destination, through weather of no ordinary severity;
  and we venture to express a hope tht ere long you may
  have in command a more powerful craft, so that much of
  the anxiety you have undergone on this passage may be
  spared you. We can most cordially recommend all parties
  visting Otago to commit themselves to your care,
  convinced that, so far as human agency is concerned,
  you will secure for them a safe and pleasant trip to
  the Britain of the South.

 "With every good wish for your future prosperity and
  happiness,
            "We are, Sir, yours, &c"
 - "Melbourne Argus, May 31"


THE OTAGO WITNESS
11 Aug 1860

The steamer Pirate arrived here on the 6th inst.,
having left Melbourne on the 26th ult. On her
upward passage she met with a N.W. gale and
heavy sea, that continued for 48 hours, during
which her lifeboat and gangways were washed away.
She reached Melbourne on the 18th, in time for the
homeward mail, which under the new arrangement
did not leave till the 26th by the Ottawa. The
Pirate leaves for Melbourne today, and, barring
accidents, will be in sufficient time for the Salsette,
which takes the homeward August mail on the 26th.


Converted to electronic form by Corey Woodw@rd