1885
Frederick James Lightoller and his daughter Jane
"Doric"
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The Doric was build in 1883 by Harland and Wolff for the White Star Line. She was the sister ship to the Coptic and the Ionic. She was used on the UK-New Zealand run via Cape Town by the New Zealand Shipping Company. In 1884 her charter was changed to Shaw Savill and Albion who used her on the same run. In 1895 she was chartered to the Occidental and Oriental Steamship Company and put on the San Francisco to Hong Kong run. In 1906 she was sold to the Pacific Mail Company and renamed Asia. She was wrecked on Taichow Island in 1911. |
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The Doric arrived in Auckland, New Zealand, on 23 February 1885, sailing from London with 114 passengers. It left London on the 5th of January and Plymouth on the 8th of January 1885. The captain was J.W. Jennings and the steamship's tonnage was 4744. Among the passengers were Mr F.J. Lightoller and his daughter Miss Lightoller. On the passage out, they called into Santa Cruz de Tenerife in the Canary Island. The passenger list states that the Lightollers were to alight in Wellington. After Auckland, the Doric called into Napier, Wellington, Christchurch and Otago. On board with the Lightollers was J. Bruce Ismay of the White Star Line. Many years later, he was on the Titanic along with Frederick Lightoller's son, Charles Herbert. |
 Frederick J. Lightoller |
 J. Bruce Ismay |
 C. Herbert Lightoller |
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The New Zealand Herald gives the following report on Tuesday 24 February 1885. Auckland, Monday. The steamship Doric, Capt. Jennings, arrived this evening. She left London on January 5th, and Plymouth on the 8th. Had fine weather to Teneriffe, arriving at 8 a.m. on the 13th. She was delayed there 22 hours coaling, and left at 6 a.m. on the 14th. Generally the passage throughout was remarkably fine. Tasmania was made, including detention at Teneriffe, in 39 day 14 hours 22 min. The best day's work was 343 miles, and the worst 258. From Hobart similar fine weather was picked up. During the voyage two deaths occurred - the first an infant daughter (3 months old) of Mr Booth, and the other was a second saloon passenger named Robert Ford, a married laborer and a Government immigrant. He had been under medical treatment from coming on board with cancer in the stomach. One birth occurred during the passage. The Doric brings 4000 tons of cargo - 3000 tons measurement, and the rest dead weight. Amongst the passengers there are a number of ladies and gentlemen making a round trip in the steamer. They include Lieut. Col. Gamble Wolff, of the firm of Harland and Wolff, the builders of the Doric; Mr Haddock, a merchant of Liverpool; and Mr Ismay, a son of the manager of the White Star Line, by whom the Doric is owned. The passengers number 21 saloon, 30 second cabin, 40 steerage, and 114 Government immigrants for Auckland, under Dr Bentham, late of the ship Rangitikei. All on board are well. The officers are the same as on the previous voyage, excepting the engineer. The discharge of the cargo has been commenced, and the steamer is expected to get away on Friday for South. The immigrants are a respectable class of people. |
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