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Story: Shipping

Blue Jacket flying before the wind

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<em>Blue Jacket</em> flying before the wind

In 1852 Captain James Forbes tested a new theory about sailing routes from Europe, making a round trip to Australia in less time than some one-way voyages. From then on most immigrants to New Zealand and Australia took the rough, cold southern route, often passing icebergs as the Blue Jacket did in 1855.

Using this item

National Library of Australia, Rex Nan Kivell Collection

Reference: nla.pic-an4053991

by Thomas Baines

Permission of the National Library of Australia must be obtained before any re-use of this image.

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How to cite this page

Gavin McLean, Shipping – Immigrant ships, Te Ara – the Encyclopedia of New Zealand, https://teara.govt.nz/en/artwork/5688/blue-jacket-flying-before-the-wind (accessed 25 June 2026).

Story by Gavin McLean, published 2 March 2009, updated 1 January 2016.