THE S.S. OTAGO.

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume XI, Issue 269, 11 December 1876, Page 2

THE S.S. OTAGO.

The Post gives the following particulars of the history of this ill-fated steamer:—

The Otago was built at White-Inch, Scotland, by Mr James Lawrie, in 1863. She was intended originally for a blockade runner, to be used in the American war, but her services were never required in that capacity, and on her completion she was purchased by the Panama aud New Zealand Royal Mail Company. Her original registered tonnage was 457 tons; her engines, which were constructed by Messrs Blackwood and Gordon, ■were of 160 horse-power; and she was barque rigged. Her maiden trip to Melbourne was considerably the fastest which at that time had ever been made, namely, 51 days. While running on the New Zealand coast for the Panama Company, the Otago was celebrated for her speed both under steam and under canvas, more especially the latter, iu which she never has had a rival in Ihese colonies, and her races with the various " crack" colonial boats — such as the Albion, the Wellington, and other noted clippers — are still familiar as household words. On the collapse of the Panama Company in 1868 the Otago was sold with the other boats belonging to the defunct company, and was sent to China, disappearing altogether for several years. About three years ago, Messrs M'Meckan, Blackwood, and Co., of Melbourne, finding it necessary to increase their fine fleet, bethought them of the once famous Otago, and resolved to secure her at all cost. About this time, Captain Underwood, the able and popular commander — then of the Alhambra, now of the Arawata— vanished mysteriously from his usual place, and it leaked out by degrees that he had gone on a roving commission, especially entrusted by Messrs M'Meckan, Blackwood, and Co., with ca. te Blanche to seek and purchase the Otago, and bring her down to Melbourne. It is well known that Captain Underwood was signally successful, finding the steamer in China, buying her on highly favorable terms, and subsequently bringing her down to Alelbourne under canvas as a barque, when she nuuli. a wonderfully quick run, again displaying her remarkable sailing qualities, making thirteen or fourteen knots with ease under sail alone, aud beating several celebrated tea clippers. She then underwent a thorough overhaul and received new boilers, her ng being changed to a three-masted schooner, and a spar deck also beiug built on her. This last operation increased her gross tonnage to 977 tons, and ber register from 457 to 642 tons, but the additional weight was too great and caused a serious and permanent diminution in her speed; in fact, from a 12-knot boat she became only a iO-knot, or little more, while the extra top weight made it necessary twice successively to reduce her masts, by six and seven feet respectively. Thus she was a totally altered boat, and never regained her former supremacy in spee 1, although ou one occasion, with, a fair gale, she made the quickest run from Port Chalmers to Lytteiton, 15 hours, then on record. This, of course, has been surpassed since by the new steamers. Captain John M'Lean, the dashing commander, formerly of the Aldinga and Albion, and now of the Ringarooma, took command on her first trip •down to the Bluff towards the end of 1873, when she grievously disappointed expectation by taking 6£ days to reach New Zealand, having head winds all the way. Several alterations in her machinery and furnaces, and (as already stated) in her masts, were found necessary and latterly she has done good work, although never approaching that of the Albion. Oc Capt. M'Lean removing

to the Ringarooma, Capt. Calder, formerly of the Oineo, was placed in charge of the Otago, and has commanded her ever since. She was under his charge at the time of her wreck. ' Latterly she has been employed in the Sydney and Melbourne trade, running alternately to those ports with the Albion. She always had been a favorite boat; with travellers, and her loss will be generally regretted. It is believed that, in accordance with the owners' usual rule, she was only insured to half her value, Messrs M'Meckan, Blackwood, and Co. being their own insurers for the other moiety. The loss of the Otago is the more unfortunate coming comparatively so soon after that of the Gothenburg and Rangitoto, making three steamers lost by this firm in as many years.