SHIP OF DISTINCTION

Evening Star, Issue 22144, 26 September 1935, Page 10

SHIP OF DISTINCTION

FIRST CONSIGNMENTS OF FROZEN MEAT

DUNEDIN’S VOYAGES TO THE HOMELAND

Dunedin is a name that has won distinction in many spheres, and one that is inseparably associated with the pioneering of the frozen meat trade between the Dominion and London, for it was a ship named after this, the port from which- she traded most, that carried the first shipment from this harbour in February, 1882 —53 years ago. Details of this event were recalled to-day, when a reporter was searching for a reply to a ‘ Star ’ correspondent’s inquiry regarding the sailing ship Dunedin. ■ It was learned that the vessel was chartered by the New Zealand and Australian Land Company to .convey the first shipment of frozen meat to Britain. She was fitted with a freezing plant, there being no refrigerating works in the Dominion in those days, and the meat was frozen on board. Matters did not work very smoothly at first, as the freezing plant was thrown out of action, and loading operations at Port Chalmers had to be suspended while repairs were made at Dunedin.

At the time 1,500 carcasses were on board, and these had to bo sold locally, so it fell to Dunedin settlers to be the first consumers of New Zealand frozen meat. After repairs had been effected the vessel resumed loading, and altogether shipped 4,311 carcasses of mutton, 598 of lamb, some pigs, and 2,200 sheep tongues. The cargo arrived in London in excellent condition. The rate of freight was 2id per lb, which included the freezing of carcasses on board ship. The result of the sale in London was considered most satisfactory, the mutton averaging 6Jd per lb. The Dunedin was one of Duncan s beautiful iron ships (Henry Brett writes in ‘White Wings’). Built in 1874, she was a vessel of 1,250 tons, designed for the carrying of immigrants. She traded mainly to Dunedin, completing' 12 voyages to Port Chalmers, three to Auckland, and two to Lyttelton. None of her outward runs exceeded 100 days, and twice she made land to land in 75 days. She was chartered for 10 consecutive voyages with frozen meat, and practically died in harness, being lost in 1890, no trace of her ever being found. Her last visit to the Dominion was in 1889, and after discharging her outward cargo she sailed on March 19, 1890, for London with frozen meat and wool. She never reached her destination. She was then barque rigged, and when sailing from Oamaru had a crew of 34 and was commanded by Captain, Roberts, who succeeded Captain Whit’* son, skipper’ from her maiden voyage until her second last in 1886. The ship was spoken once before reaching Cape Horn, and was never heard of afterwards. She was supposed ,to nave foundered during a storm or to have, been sunk by icebergs, so frequently encountered in the waterways near Cape Horn. _ In regard to her 1879 voyage, the subject of the correspondent’s inquiry, she sailed.from •Dondpa,-.on. August. 29, and reached Port Chalmers on Saturday afternoon, December 6. Her com-' plement of passengers totalled 428 men,women, and children.