Enthusiastic Welcome For Stately Barque

Chronicle (Levin), 19 August 1948, Page 6

Enthusiastic Welcome For Stately Barque

AUCKLAND, August 18. The barque Pamir * made excellent time ,on the run down the coast lYqui North Cjipe, and at 11 o'elock this uiorning, under full sail, was witltiri about 11 miles of North Ilead. .Binoculars were trained on her from all arouiid the harb'our as she saiied proudly up the ehannel. ■ • The skjr was sullen and the sea greygreen as in ilull sail, the royals flying, and ti nor '-wester behind her, the blaek hulled barque surged up the Whangaparaoa passage and passed Tiri lighthouse at 11.45 inaking six knots. All the morning tlie Mount Vietoria sigual station had continuous telephone calls for the time of arrival. North Bhore school pupils u'ere set free and most made a rush for Mount Victoria. - An Auckland fcjtar reporter in a radio telephone message fr6m the' Pamir said that the choppy sea in the- Rangitoto C'hannel made things dillicult for the pilot launch vvhen she reached the barque at 12.35 p.m.' The Pamir was making 10 knots and the launch was hard pressed to keep up with lrer. The pilot (Captain D. Burgess), on stepping aboard, was warnvly greeted by Captain Collier and liis wife on the poop deek. After the barque rounded the spit buoy all three mainsails were brailed in with speed and eliiciency that impressed the spectators on lialf a dozen launche» that • surrounded her. The ' Pamir entered tlie inner harbour in tow at 1.30 p.m. As the barque drojtped anchor at 1.51 p.m. a blinding westerly squall whipped down the harliour and the crcw made fast in stinging rain. The passenger ferry boat detoured round her and listed heavily as the passeiigers crowded 011 oue side to welco.me the stately ship.