AROUND THE WORLD.

Auckland Star, Volume LIX, Issue 225, 22 September 1928, Page 4

AROUND THE WORLD.

GOSSIP OF THE PORT.

A GREAT OCEAN RACE.

(Continued.)

The immensity of the Pacific can only be appreciated by one who has followed the sea as a career. It was stated in the early part of this story that no less than 56 ships were in sight of each other at the commencement of the race, and as all of them had to sail exactly the same course over the same ocean on the long run down to Cape Horn, it might cause some surprise to a landsman to hear that Routenburn, on the seventh day out had all the ocean to herself—not another sail being in sight. And so it continued right down to the equator, this leg of the passage being made in 25 days, and when one takes into consideration that the Routenburn had been becalmed for five days, it was truly a remarkable run. Our good luck stood to us for we were only held up for three days in the "doldrums," that windless region lying between the trade winds so much detested by the master mariners of the old-time clippers. After crossing the equator we met in with an outward-bounder, the Stronsa (Captain Lacey, of the Auckland Harbour Board was an apprentice on this well-known clipper). Signals were made asking Stronsa if she bad met in with any of the home-ward-bound grain fleet. The south-east tradewinds experienced were strong and steady, and on the thirtyfourth day out we were alongside Pitcairn Island. The first question asked the islanders was, "Has any of the 'Frisco grain fleet called or been sighted?" Cheers greeted the answer, "No captain, your ship is the first to have come up with the island." To celebrate the auspicious occasion Routenburn's master produced six bottlefe of rum and allowed his happycrew to "splice the main brace," a thing he had never been known to do before, because he, being an Aberdonian, was taught in his infancy to be cautious. "Off for the Roaring 'Forties." No time was lost at Pitcairn, the yards were soon braced up, and off we went for the "Roaring Forties." On the forty-first day out, a sail was reported on our lee beam. All the binoculars in the ship keenly examined her, and towards noon she had risen high enough above the horizon to be recognised as the far-famed Loch Torridon. This famous -ship was known throughout the world as one of the fastest four-masted barques that ever sailed the seas, and when commanded by her equally famous master, the late Captain Pattman, she made records which still stand to this day. Her greatest voyage was from Newcastle, N.S.W., to Valparaiso in 30 days, and this time has never been equalled even by a steam vessel. The Torridon's apprentices in San Francisco were in the habit of giving themselves airs, they all wore their uniform caps with the peak over their left ears, to show the commonality that they were important units of a very important ship. There is no doubt that there was more money wagered on the Loch Torridon being the winner than on any other ship in the race, therefore, everyone on Routenburn were more than pleased to find that we had held our own with the big Loch liner. When the masters of both ships had recognised each other, they altered courses so that the ships would converge. Soon the signals were flying, our first hoist being, "You have sailed well to keep up with us." Back came the reply, "I am waiting for Mermerus." And so the banter went on until the two big ships drew alongside of each other, within hailing distance. We found that the Loch Torridon had passed the famous American clipper, T. F. Oakes, which had left 'Frisco a month before we did, but bad not sighted' any vessel which was in the race. This was encouraging, and again our skipper parted with another six bottles of rum, which excited the writer very considerably, because he had sailed four years wit hhim and had formed a very decided opinion of his Aberdonian nature where rum was concerned. The next day Loch Torridon was still alongside of us, the wind was strong from the north west, and both ships were driving through the scud with every stitch of canvas aloft. Neither could gain an advantage over the other, and neither master was going to be the first to shorten sail. Night came on with every sign of the wind increasing in force, and still we awaited the order to furl the royals. The order never came, and at daylight, eager eyes peered through the murk searching for our rival. Soon we discerned her, almost the same distance away as on the previous evening, and still staggering under a cloud of canvas. Neither captain required the example of the other to 6end his ship along at her best speed, they had been doing that for forty-two days and forty-two nights. Neck and Neck. It has often been said that only the masters of the tea clipper knew how to drive a ship, but if anyone who said that had seen these two big grain carriers smashing through the gale, both of them a smother of foam from bow to stern, they would have altered their opinion. Towards noon the Loch Torridon's fore royal yard carried away, the tie having parted. The sail was torn to shreds in an instant, and immediately her hands were aloft to repair the damage. On seeing the accident, Routenburn's master made the signal, "I shall not take advantage of your accident," and immediately ordered our fore royal to be furled. Still the two ships kept at it, neck and neck, as the jockey's say, both of them reeling off the knots as, perhapp, they had never done before. W had now more wind than we wanted, the creaking and groaning aloft telling us of the enormous strain on our top-hamper. Again night closed in and still the gale held. During the early hours of the morning watch, our cro' jack burst from clew to earring. All hands were called expecting to get the order to shorten down, but consternatio •. was manifest when the mate ordered us to bend a new sail in place of the lost one. When daylight broke we were coming down from aloft to set the sail. A signal was seen flying from the Loch Torridon's peak, which upon being deciphered read, "I won't take advantage of you." Instantly the reply was made, "Don't. I am setting the sail again." And set it was, to the astonishment, I am sure, of the redoubtable Captain Pattman. Routenburn's run for the twentv-four hours was 367 knots. She was indeed keeping up the reputation she had made in the Calcutta jute trade, and if our luck continued, a great factor in sailing ship races, the uniform caps of her apprentices would have even a greater rake than those of Torridon's bad bargains when next we visited San Francisco. .(To be continued), . jsa£,j .