Ship 'Canterbury'

Henry Paton a ploughman age 24 from the district of Clackmannan Scotland sailed from (Greenock) Glasgow bound for New Zealand on board the 'Canterbury'. On her maiden voyage 'Canterbury' departed Glasgow 4th June 1874 arriving Lyttelton New Zealand 1st September 1874 taking 87 days enroute from Greenock via Cape Horn.

The 'Canterbury' a beautiful clipper ship of 1242 tons, built for Patrick Henderson & Co. by Robert Duncan sailed the seas for many years during the 70's and 80's bringing thousands of immigrants to New Zealand. She was one of the fastest sailors and most comfortable ship afloat and made some remarkable runs both out and back. Captain Strachan had on board 486 government immigrants.

'CANTERBURY' 1874

This was a three masted, iron built, ship rigged sailing vessel built by Robert Duncan in 1874. She was a 1,308 gross ton ship, length 239.8ft x beam 36ft x depth 20.7ft (73,09m x 10,97m x 6.31m) She entered service in 1874 and was transferred to Shaw Savill & Albion on formation of the company in 1882. In 1904 she was sold to N.A.Lydersen, Tvedsstrand, Norway and was eventually scrapped at Savona in 1927.[Merchant Fleets by Duncan Haws, vol.10, Shaw Savill & Albion]

Canterbury at dock Port Chalmers Dunedin New Zealand

Map showing Greenock Sailing route from Scotland to New Zealand