ARRIVAL OF THE S.S. MIDGE AT AUCKLAND.

Hawke's Bay Times, Volume IX, Issue 476, 6 May 1867, Page 2

ARRIVAL OF THE S.S. MIDGE AT AUCKLAND.

(From the New Zealand Herald, April *2.) The long and anxiously looked-for steamer Midge, Captain Luatit, arrived in harbour on Saturday evening last from Loudon, alter a very protracted passage ot Isi days (under canvas alone), including detention at the Cape of Good Hope, where she called for water, supplies, &c. The length of the Midge’s passage is entirely litlriwritriijis vO w coi.tumtici /if* baiumg winds, and not heavy weather, as anticipated, site having only experienced two gales of any note throughout the entire passage. The Midge left Gravesend on the 17th November, and took her lln:i! departure from the Land’s End on the 23rd. Passed outside the Cane de. Verd Islands, and experienced very light and variable N.E. trades, the wind hanging principally to the iv.W. "lie tine ou ttie 21;:. December, in longitude 27 deg. do min., and had very moderate and variable S.E. trade winds. Sighted the island of Trinidad, passing close to it, and after that experienced nothing but light baffling airs and calms, with a strong northerly current. Put into Table Bay, Cape of Good Hope, for water, supplies, &c., on the 2nd February, and remained there until the Bth. Upon leaving, had nothing but light airs and calms for ten days, and ran down her easting between the parallels of 37 min. and 41 min, South, experiencing variable moderate weather. Ou the HRli March, at 830 a.m., m latitude 45 deg. 30 min. South, longitude 129 deg. 30 min. E:ist, passed close to an immense iceberg, over 400 feet high, with several smaller ones detached, the large berg being apparently in a ‘wry decay ing state ; the thermometer at this time was 50 deg. on deck, and alongside at sea 50 , deg. also. The 3.W. Cape of Tasmania was sighted oa the 2oth March, when another succession ot light airs and calms were encountered, (greatly retarding the progress of the vessel, sue jbeiu; tor tour days becalmed in sight of the Mule (Stone ; alter that Had light winds und cairns from (the northward and eastward, and then light airs ail round tiie compass. On the 9th, 10th, 11th, imtani, experienced a very heavy S.E, gale, the heaviest ot it commencing ou the IOUi, in longitude IGii deg., latitude 35 deg. 53 min., and coat aued With unabated violence for over two days, during which time the vessel was hove to, and drilled considerably to tiie north-west. The sea at this lime is spoken of as being terrific, hut, notwithstanding, the little Midge behaved admirably, and rode the waves like a duck, thus showing her excellent qualities as a good sea-going boat. From the 12l i instant had a continuation ot north-easterly weather with a high turbulent teen, until making the Three Kings on the 17th. j Fi«»v-‘d between t!iKings and the North C.ipr, laud ntterwards e.xp'Thunted light variable easterly 'winds, with thunder, im-ntning, and rain, on ihe coast, until arrival in iurbo.tr at C p.m., ou 3 1- . turd.-.v hist.

Tne Midge is a fine-looking single-screw steamboat, and, considering she inns com- oat in er canvas alone, has not made, such an out-of-ih-way long passage. She is six years oil, having b -cn oe’.it by Langley, of Dejuford, as y.-cht Ut t ie Tii uiv Corporal o i, at a cos? o! ilk/ '-j. but .-’tie proving too sm «ii to: them, was laid an. o was tnen pur !lia.,e.j by tin- i -onia i L-ni, K dlwny, and .Mining Comnan-., an I started oa passage to Venezuela, S.r.ith America, With i7' l }i .ss Mgers, but the Vessel had scarcely r.-.ic i-e.i

G.aveseni before, the company failed, and .die was again laid up until purctuisnj last y.-ar by her present own-r, Hr. St--w art. Tin* Mio g.: is bml; o! the very best materials, oak frame, teal; planking, and is as strung as wood and iron c.-u u->ki-lter. Just hMore leaving London ties time she was newly coppered, copper fastened throughout, and classed aI for 12 years. 11. -r tonnage i- 97 He it, out of) register, after deducting engine spice, and the vessel may he cua-idered as almost new, she having, in matter of Let, done vr.y little work sine.i ihe was traiit. The Hi!ge is fitie 1

w.tb !>fi) dire -t-ncting condensing tru ik engines, »1-hor.se power aoiu.ual, bin woikmg up to bO, made by Dudgeon, of L m lon, and are the ne.ites! and most coinuai't we have ever seen ; there is a'so a fresh w.ter condensing app'irafus lix-J on top of the boiler, with ail the other latest ’inprovcm -n's. Before leaving London, Mr. Stewart had t’.ie machimery, Ac., inspected by the Board of Trade, whoa they expressed themselves IrThiy satisfied with everything, and issued a first-class certificate to Mr. Stewart. Tin; Midge. is admirably suited for passenger traliir, the accomodatiou provided being spacious, roomy, well ventilated, and nbundnnl ! y supplied with finely-furnished slate rooms. The saloon is amidships on deck, bene ah the bridge, and is on - of the roomiest, welt lighted, and comfortab!; that we have seen for nay boat of the Mult: l ’s sir.a, being 37 feet long by 20 feet breadth. The sleeping saloon is aft, ami flie fore cabin beneath the main deck saloon, both of which arc also roomy and well fitted up. Altogether she can comfortably accommodate over CO passengers.

The passengers and others that have come nut in the Mid go speak in the highest terms of her excellent sea going qualities, she behu\ iug admirably throughout all the rough weather experienced, and proved herself a fast sailer when favoured by adavntageous winds. The Midge is open for freight or charter, or engagement in any trade whatever, and we i'cei sure that such an especially adaptable boat as her for the coasting traific, will not be allowed to remain long idle in our harbour. As coon as the cargo and ballast is discharged, it is the intention of the, owner to beach her for overhaul, shipping screw, fixing funnel, machinery, &c. After which she will make an experimental trial trip, when wc wall, no doubt, be able to give a more detailed report of her capabilities, Ac.