THE OTAGO WITNESS 13 Feb 1858
THE ROBERT HENDERSON - The handsome new Aberdeen clipper ship Robert Henderson, of 612 tons, has arrived at this port, and her model has excited much admiration among nautical men. On her passage to Clyde she displayed extraordinary sailing powers, and stiffness under canvas. She left Stromness on Wednesday the 7th inst. at 5 P.M., with a strong easterly gale, and at 3 A.M. of next day, being unable to make out Scalpa Light, was hove to in the Minch Passage. The light was discovered at 4 A.M., the distance having thus been run at the rate of more than fourteen knots an hour. Notwithstanding the terrific weather she subsequently experienced, she made over fourteen knots an hour on different occasions, and accomplished the passage from Stromness to Clyde in 48 hours. Her poop accommodation is exceedingly spacious for a vessel of her tonnage - the saloon being 50 feet long and 7 feet high-and is tastefully decorated and fitted for 20 passengers. She is furnished with Cunningham's patent reefing topsails, which have given her experienced commander great satisfaction, who was by their means enabled to carry on a new vessel with confidence. Her steering gear, which is on the principle of a reverse screw, is a novelty in this quarter, and is at once efficient, simple, and economical. The Robert Henderson is commanded and partly owned by Captain W. J. Cubitt, well known at this port, and is intended for the China trade. She is about to go into the Graving Dock to be coppered, after which she will load for Dunedin, New Zealand, whence she will proceed to China. Greenock Advertiser, Oct 16. The fine new ship Robert Henderson, Captain Cubitt, with immigrants from the Clyde; arrived at Port Chalmers on the 9th inst., after performing one of the quickest passages as yet upon record, having made it in 79 days from land to land. She took her final departure Nov. 12, and got the S.E. trades in lat. 320 north, which continued steady to 8°. The S.E. trade winds were caught in 4° south, and carried up to 25°, calms and variable winds intervening. Passed the long. of the Cape on the 5th January, and had a continuance of strong and steady breezes until her arrival at the Snares, which were reached on the 3rd February. Fogs and light easterly winds prevented her from making the Harbour, and Captain Cubitt found it necessary to anchor at the entrance to the Waitaki on Sunday night; but the weather clearing, he was enabled to enter the Heads at daylight on Tuesday morning. The passage altogether was a very successful one, and proved the qualities of the Robert Henderson as a good sailer and a quiet steady going ship. Built upon the most approved plan, and fitted out with every convenience that could be suggested by her spirited owners, they now have the satisafaction of knowing that they possess a valuable ship, which has fully sustained the reputation of Aberdeen building; and that she is commanded by a captain whose steadiness and perseverance as a seaman, and his urbanity as a gentleman, could not be surpassed, and have obtained for him the best wishes of those who have been fortunate enough to sail with him. -Colonist.
THE OTAGO WITNESS 12 Oct 1861
THE "ROBERT HENDERSON." This beautiful Clipper Ship arrived at the Heads on Saturday, at 9, a. m., after one of her usual rapid passages ; this being the third voy- age she has made from the Clyde to this port with Immigrants. She left the Tail of the Bank on Thursday evening, the 11th July, and expe- rienced fine weather to the Line, which was crossed on the 31st day ; the Cape, was passed on the 30th, and the Snares was sighted on Fri- day last, thus occupying 84 days from land to land, and 85 days from port to port. - The weather experienced in the South Sea was blustery and changeable, with a good deal of rain and a very low Barometer - on one occasion it went down to 28, the ship being hove to at the time to a N. E. gale. There was thus no oppor- tunity of testing the high rate of speed of the ship, the greatest distance made during the course of any one week being 1,750 nautical miles. The passengers have been remarkably healthy, the only casualty being the death of one of the females from consumption. This doubtless arises from the excellent arrangements made for their comfort. The utmost harmony has been maintained amongst the passengers, and the conduct of all has been excellent. A series of concerts were given during the fine weather; and amongst other startling novelties a band of Ethiopian Serenaders caused much amusement, both to young and old - the hearty laughter on those occasions doing more good than the contents of the medicine chest. The state of health of the children has been very satisfactory ; an extra quantity of farinacious food and milk, put on board by the agents, have been found very beneficial. After arrival, Cap- tain Logan, in addition to a valedictory address signed by all the passengdrs, received a more substantial token of the respect and esteem in which he is held by them in the shape of a purse of sovereigns. Dr. Somerville, the Surgeon, was also presented with an address, marking the kindly feelings created by his uniform attention to the wants of the passengers.
THE SOUTHLAND TIMES 9th March 1863
NOTICE. Ship Robert Henderson Assisted Immigrants are informed that the bills for passage-money by the above ship are now due, and must be paid by them during all March. Legal proceedings will be promptly taken against all defaulters after the lst April next. Nath. Chalmers Provincial Treasurer Treasury, Southland 9th March l863 Converted to electronic form by Corey Woodw@rd