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Southland Times, Volume I, Issue 33, 16 August 1864, Page 2

The following particulars respecting the passage of the Legion of Honor have been furnished to u« for publication by one of the passengers : —" The Legion of Honor left Gravesend on March 12, 1864, with 348 souls on board, and under the command of Captain Grimmer. Being detained two days by contrary winds, some gentlemen took advantage of the delay to make an excursion to Margate, and not returning at the appointed time, were left on shore. A most pleasant trip was made down channel, the coast being in sight, and the vessel giving promise of superior sailing powers. The Bay of Biscay had been ruffled by some gales, and a very heavy sea was the consequence. The vessel passed the line without being becalmed on April 12. She then steered in a south-west direction till within 130 miles of America. On the Bth of May she was supposed to be about 1,200 miles from the African coast. Early the following morning, however, every one was startled with the cry of land north a few yards of the ship, and breakers were plainly discerned. A fevr minutes more and the vessel would have been upon them. The chief mate, however, succeeded ln extricating the vessel from her perilous pos^ion. The unfortunate mistake was attributed by the captain to the using of addition instead of subtraction in the sun's polar distances. Contrary winds then held the vessel in check, and it was not until May 18 that the ship passed the Cape. For some fame previous a laxity of discipline prevailed amongst the crew; the captain was insulted with impunity, the cargo was broached, and at length a passenger was brutally assaulted. Strong feeling was then expressed by the passengers, and the men secured and confined in irons the remainder of the voyage. The vessel was detained during the latter part of the passage by light winds, and it wa3 not till Monday July 4, that she anchored in Moreton Bay, after a voyage of 114 days from Gravesend. The health of the ship was, on the whole, good, but the malaria in the n^ighbouhood of the coast of Africa induced a remittent fever, which, attacked no less than 55 persons in one week. There were three births and no deaths during the voyage. The ship wa3 supplied with a good condenser ; bufc the rest of fche galley apparatus was of the mosfc wretched description. Some of the provisions were good ; but others, 3Uch aa the preserved meat, were of guch a description that very few persons could est, and the meat was condemned by the surgeon

superintendent. In Moreton Bay a testimonial was given to the captain by the saloon passengers, and one to the chief mate from aU the passengers of the ship. — Brisbane Courier.