A fine clipper barque in those old days, one that was originally built for the tea trade, and had made many successful passages with that cargo from China to London, acquired an enviable reputation for her sailing qualities, but, like many others, she was driven out of the trade by the introduction of steam and more modern methods of transit.  She, however, still continued to make for her owners large profits in the West Indian and American trades.  In 1873 freights were very good out and home from the higher Baltic ports, and the owner decided to make a short voyage in that direction before resuming the West Indian employment.  She had made a rapid passage from the Tyne, and was sailing along the island of Gotland with a strong northerly wind.  The season was far advanced, and the captain was carrying a press of canvas which made her plunge along at the rate of at least twelve knots an hour.  The captain, who had been on deck nearly the whole passage, set the course, and gave strict instructions to the second mate, whom he left in charge, to keep a sharp look-out while he was below having a wash.

It was 8 p.m.; the moon was just coming from below a hazy horizon, which made it difficult to see anything under sail except at a short distance.  The look-out suddenly reported a vessel under sail right ahead without lights.  The helm of the barque was starboarded; but it was too late.  The vessel, which proved to be a brig, struck and raked along the starboard side, carrying away nearly the whole of the fore, main, and mizzen rigging, irreparably damaging some important sails.  As soon as it was discovered that the colliding vessel had suffered no material damage, the captain gave orders for the vessel to be put on her course, and to unbend the torn sails and bend a fresh set before starting to secure the lee rigging, so that as little time as possible might be lost.  While this was being done a minute survey was being made by the captain and the carpenter to ascertain the extent of the damage to rigging, chain-plates, and hull.  It was found that the latter was uninjured; but the shrouds and chain-plates were badly damaged, especially the latter, and the only way of securing the rigging thoroughly was to heave-to for a while and pass two bights of hawser chain under the bottom so that some of the starboard fore and main rigging could be set up to it.  This was soon done, and the barque put on her course once more.  The men worked with commendable skill and energy during the whole night, and when the livid grey of the dawn came they had all but finished their arduous task.  Fortunately the wind kept steady on the port beam, so that the damage to the starboard rigging could be secured without interrupting the progress of the voyage, it being on the leeside.  At 9 a.m. the watches were again resumed, and those whose duty it was to be on deck proceeded to carry out the finishing touches.  These were satisfactorily completed, and by the time the evening shadows had fallen the