The Avalanche, a three masted full-rigged Clipper of 1,160 tons, of the Shaw Saville line was built in 1874, and was on passage to Wellington, New Zealand, under the command of Captain Edmund Williams with a crew of 34 hands and with 63 passengers most of whom were returning home to New Zealand after visiting England, the remainder being emigrants setting out to start new lives in New Zealand.

The Forest, also a full-rigged sailing ship of 1,422 tons, was built of wood under Special Survey by English Lloyds. The strength of her construction was later to be proven when the Royal Navy took more than a week to break her up as she couldn't be sunk despite the best efforts of HM Ships Defence, Black Prince and Warrior. She was bound for Sandy Hook, near New York in ballast.

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