In 1893 she left Timaru for Liverpool on 2nd February, but carried away her mainyard on the first night out and had to put back to Lyttelton to repair damages. This spoilt her passage. In 1894 she signalled off the Lizard on 27th May, only 69 days out from Wellington, and docked in the London River, 71 days out. In 1895 she made the Wight on 1st July, 73 days out from Port Chalmers. On her previous outward passage she had distinguished herself by sailing past the company’s steamer _Ruapehu_. The following account of this incident was given me by one of the officers of the steamship:— On the 14th February, 1895, in lat. 46° 15′ S., long. 68° 16′ E., the N.Z.S. Co.’s mail steamer _Ruapehu_ was running her easting down under whole topsails and courses, the weather dirty and a strong wind from the norrard, force 7 Beaufort scale. At 9 a.m. a sailing ship was reported astern, topgallant sails up. Shortly after she sheeted home her royals. Orders were given on the _Ruapehu_ to the engineer to drive the ship and topgallant sails were set, the patent log showing a good 14. At noon exactly the N.Z.S. Co.’s sailing ship _Turakina_ passed along our lee side. She was then carrying all square sail except mizen royal and topgallant sail (probably griping a good deal). She was right alongside and you could distinguish the features of the officers, and see the seas breaking over her—I have a very good photo. She then hauled her wind and crossed our bow, at the same time shortening sail to topsails, reef in mainsail and furled crossjack; even then she held her own with us during a long summer evening light, till 9.30 there she was just ahead on the port bow. Next day at noon we had run 315 miles. At midnight the wind came aft and she was therefore not in sight from masthead at daylight. It was a wonderful performance and made a man feel glad to be alive to see it. And the _Turakina_ held her own for 14 days. She covered the 5000 miles between the meridians of the Cape and the Leeuwin, in 16 days, her best runs being 328, 316 and 308. I am glad to say that the gallant little ship is still afloat under the name of _Elida_, owned in Tordesstrand. In 1912 she was in Rio at the same time as the Portuguese _Ferreira_ ex-_Cutty Sark_. I wonder how many of the shipping people there realized that two of the fastest and most beautiful sailing ships ever built were lying at anchor in their wonderful harbour. Before leaving the _Turakina_, I must not omit to give her official measurements from Lloyd’s Register:—