THE "RANDOLPH."

Lyttelton Times, Volume 1, Issue 1, 11 January 1851, Page 2

THE "RANDOLPH."

" Forsan et h'acc olim meminisse juvab'it." The•" Randolph}' left Plymouth on the night of. Saturday,' Sep. ,7, lpso, a fevr hours after the " Charlotte Jane," having on board 217 passengers. ■ The officers of the ship were Captain Dale, Commander, Mr. Scott, Chief officer, Mr. Puckle and Mr. Willock, officiating ministers, and Mr. Earle, Surgeon Superinteh'dant.

Her courselay outside Madeira,' and crossing the line in long. 24.20 W., she proceeded as faj; to the westward as long. 36.30 on Oct, 23, beinf then in lat 23.46 S. On Nov. 14, her lat. was 45.55 S. long. 44.40. On Dec. 1, lat. 48.265., long. ] 09. I.E. On the 7th, she was driven by foul wind to lat. 50.5. Oh the lltli of December, she was in the longitude of the Snares, in lat 48.33, and after a most der lightful run up the const, she entered Port Victoria at half past three a'clock in the afternoon of the 16tb, having accomplished the passage in 99 days.. On the anchor being dropped, 'God save the Queen*" was sung by all the passengers on the poop. The Randolph spoke an unusually large number of vessels during-tlie early part of the voyage, and on the fourth of October fell in withJhe " Sir George Seymour," which liait left Plymautn" about 12 hours after-her, bringing a passenger who had arrived at Plymouth jrfter the sailing of the Randolph. She wai^'ecalmed two days in company with a French barque, having on board an operatic company who were proceeding to Mauritius. On the first day^ewne of tlie Rand»lph's passengers pulled to ihe French vessel, and invited a large party to dine with them, and on the second day they kept a promise Ly their visitors on leaving the day before, by dining on board the Frenchman; the toast-drinking on both sides was most amusing. A great deal »f Italian music was SMng in really first-rate style.. On tins 6th of November, there was almost a mutiny on board, which by the meroy of Godwas.suypressed, through the promptness of the /!

Captain, supported by his officers and the passengers. On the twenty-fifth, was performed Sheridan's play of the " Rivals," the female characters being played by gentlemen. The characters were supported in a manner which gave universal satisfaction. To the ladies on board the greatest praise is due for the effective way in which the characters were "goi up;" the wonder was where all the dresses could have come from, and it was very curious to hear of what they were composed. . The representation took place between decks before an overflowing audience; and a second performari'is was asked for by many who were unable to gain admittance.

There were 5. deaths, all children, and 9 births on board. The voyage is declared, by common consent, to have been most agreeable, the only unpleasant part of it being that which was passed in the low latitudes between the Cape and New Zealand, on account of the cold and fog, which proved -• fatal to almost all the game on board.