October 1873

Day 10 – Saturday November 1st

Passed a rough night. A great many sick and giddy. About 9am had a bit of a squall. A rough unpleasant day. Shipped a little sea at times. Sarah Ann bad with a bilious attack – very sick and went to bed in the afternoon. Going at the rate of ten knots an hour.

Day 11 – Sunday November 2nd

Passed a rough night. Many sick and giddy. Sea rather rough. Got wet through two or three times. Keep shipping seas. A very unpleasant day. About 2:30pm came on to rain. Sarah Ann better. A meat pie for dinnier, Mrs Hughes put into a swing berth very ill. Passengers falling and flying about in all directions. About the worst Sunday I ever spent in my life. People repenting over coming to sea. Ship rolling very much. Sighted no vessel.

Day 12 – Monday November 3rd

The sea not quite so rough. Scarcely any wind and that not very favourable. All the women except Mrs. Hughes up on deck. The sun shining. Cleaning up a little below. Store keeper selling lemonade at 6^ per bottle. Sold a great quantity. At 4pm, two ships in sight to windward. Passengers all seem better. Ship not rolling near so much. A turtle near the ship to windward was seen. Spend a very comfortable day after two rather rough ones. Singing, dancing and music. A fine starlight night.

Day 13 – Tuesday 4th November

Had a good run in the night. Wind in our favour. Sun shining bright. All the passengers better – Mrs. Hughes also. Everyone busy, this being the day for having the boxes up out of the hold. Everyone in good spirit having hte chance of getting some of the good cheer in store in the boxes.

At 3pm, three ships in sight to windward, one very near. More like a fair than being on board ship at sea. Fiddling and dancing going on. A fine night with a little more wind.

Day 14 – Wednesday 5th November

A fine hot mornning, not much wind. About 9am a large black looking bird about a quarter mile astern. Two ?barques? in sight – one an American looking, very near our own. About 11am, a little boy named Sutton fell down the hatchway and cut his chin open two inched. The doctor sewed the same up. Boy doing well. Mrs. Hughes getting better. Came on deck this morning for the first time. A ship in sight, homeward bound, making three altogether in sight. Washing day among the women. Music and dancing. A fine night. All going well.

Day 15 – Tuesday November 6th

A fine morning, wind in our favour. The same American vesel in sight, also a steamship and another vessel in sight. Got up at 3 o’clock. Had to keep watch until 6 o’clock. A fight nearly came off between the baker and one of the passengers – the latter calling the former a thief and liar – in the first place in the morning. In the afternoon, they began again about religion but made it up afterwards. Also a little of disturbance between some of the single men and the doctor and in the morning the Captain talked a bit to them with regards to the regulations of hte ship.

Dancing all the evening, afterwards, hanging up by the heels with a rope to each foot, and walking on the hands and chalk-marking the deck. Fine sport was this. Not much wind but a fine starlight night.

Day 16 – Friday November 7th

The American much further astern. A fine morning, not much wind. The little boy Sutton in the arms of his brother – the latter slipping down the steps again, which frightened him very much. This day had lime juice served out to us. Music in the evening.

Day 17 – Saturday November 8th

Passed a quiet night. Not much wind this morning. One vessel in sight, not very near. Beef, mustard and pickles for dinner.

John Barlow slipped down the steps with three pints of hot tea, spilling the same all over him. Received a few cakes from the baker. The ship’s steward killed one of the sheep, but none I think will come to our share. Lost a rice pudding and after a little loud talk it found it’s way back into the oven. Had a snarl with the ship’s cook on account of his incivility. Music, singing and dancing.

Day 18 – Sunday November 9th

A fine morning with a fair wind. A drove of porpoises in sight to leeward, also a full-rigged ship. Another woman fell down the steps. All the passengers mustered on the quarter deck at 10am before divine service, which was held by the doctor – two flags being wrapped round the capson for a desk. First chapter read was David in the lion’s den – no sermon was preached – most of the people coming out in their best clothes. This Sunday was a little better than the last. Some slipped back and did not attend the service. A fine day.

Day 19 – November 10th

A fine morning. Had breakfast on deck. A whale was seen to leeward, also one ship to windward. The Captain had words with the chief officer at 1am for having all hands furling sails with scarcely any wind blowing – the same being in his cups seven or eight times. After tea helped Lander Walter and O’Keef to put the storeroom to rights. In the morning and afternoon the Captain searched the single men for spirits. Plenty of noise in the evening. Had Wm. to tea.

Day 20 – Tuesday November 11th

A fine starlight morning. Got up at 3 o’clock to keep watch until 6am. Much sooner have been in bed. The baker is busy at 4:30am mixing the sponge for baking. Had some hot coffee with William in the forecastle. Also had a turn at the pump. Mrs. O’Keefe gave up being nurse to the sick. 12 noon, a vessel in sight astern. Washing day among the women. A little blow between O’Keefe adn little Joe, the doctor parting them – Joe . . . a loaf of bread. Joe reports the case to the Captain. O’Keefe is sent for to have the law laid down to him. also, if he strikes another passenger he will be put in irons. ?Kowa? seem to be going on all over the ship. I think another turn at sea-sickness would put a stop to all the quarrels for a time. Mrs. O’Keefe making a fuss about short weight in her bread. A day or two single girls had some words. Also a snarl between a tailor and a waiter about who knew most. In the evening a concert was held on the quarter deck – a pretty good attendance. Signals forward not lit, nor have they been for many nights. A good breeze having sprung up bids well for a fine run tonight.

Day 21 – Wednesday November 12th

A fine morning with a fair wind. Two vessels in sight. Some women washing again today. Very bad in my inside owing to drinking too freely of lime juice. In the afternoon several were practising hymn singing on the quarter deck. In the evening the signal lamps were lit. The wind still in our favour. Not many kicking up rows today. O’Keef moved his quarters to the single men’s place by the doctor’s permission. Robert bad with the tooth-ache. Jimmy Lind a little better. A very little music and less dancing. A very quiet evening.

Day 22 – Thursday November 13th

Ship rolled about a good deal in the night. A fine morning. Not very well this morning. This morning assisted Mr Lander and Walker in the storeroom for Mr. Wicks. Had a meat pie for dinner. In the afternoon to windward a Portuguese island was seen a few miles off. One passenger inclined to land if he had the chance. In the morning a full rigged ship was seen astern. Not quite so hot this evening. A flying fish was caught, and given to Mrs. Walker for her breakfast. A little music but no dancing. 9:30pm, still off the coast. Fancy I could see the lights on shore.

Day 23 – Friday November 14th

Fine morning, not much wind. Some islands in sight on the port side. One vessel in sight early this morning. While dressing this morning had the misfortune to break the glass of my watch, which was a very bad job, not having any watch maker on board. Cut Jimmy Lind’s hair, also little Harry’s. All very quiet today. The sailors all very busy at work about the rigging. Very warm, no wind. Very little music and dancing this evening.

Day 24 – Saturday November 15th

Fine morning, no wind. Very hot indeed. Two mountains in sight – one they say is seven hundred feet high. Slept near the storeroom door part of the night. Robert slept in a hammock on deck all night, which was the best place considering how warm it is. One of the single women in a fit for nearly an hour. One vessel in sight on starboard side. The sea like a sheet of glass. No concert. Old Mrs. Barlow very ill. The evening passed off rather quiet, with a little music and dancing. Some sharks were seen.

Day 25 – Sunday November 16th

A large ship in sight. A fine morning, the wind in our favour. Not quite so hot. Old Mrs. Barlow still very ill. Prayers at divine service offered up in her behalf. Two large brown birds were seen flying round the ship, some saying they were seagulls. An island in sight this morning. Crew, all dressed in their best clothes, attended service which was held in the evening for the first time. The wind still in our favour. We passed a quiet day. Fanny and Emma Jane had tea with us on the deck. Old Mrs. Barlow not expected to live.

Day 26 – Monday November 17th

The wind during the night in our favour, also this morning. We are making good way before breakfast. Saw a fish flying about like a bird. The children going to school on the ??? deck. Old Mrs. Barlow much better this morning. Four or five more flying fish about like birds. The old lady I named as “Barlow” is a mistake. Her name is “Howaith”. We had a concert in the evening and soon afterwards the poor old lady was taken for death and died at 10:15pm. Most of the passengers were up all night. This is a sad event.

Day 27 – Tuesday November 18th

Rose at 6am. A fine morning. The wind in our favour. At 7:15am poor Mrs. Howaith was buried in the sea. A sad sight to see her friends so cut up. “The Lord gave, and the Lord hath taken away. Blessed be the name of the Lord”. At 1 o’clock had a heavy fall of rain. One vessel in sight to windward on the port side. At 4pm had another fall of rain. Several spoke to the doctor respecting the rations. Fat pork yesterday and nothing to eat with it. This is too bad.

Day 28 – Wednesday November 19th

Got up at 6am. Was woken at 3:15 by the smash of bottles. A little disturbance during the early morning. Rained hard all day until 5:30pm. Had to keep below nearly all day on account of the rain. The place is very wet and uncomfortable below. The doctor has had a great deal of trouble with Mary Saunders. In the morning saw a flock of boobies, otherwise seabirds. In the evening no wind – almost a calm. Had a drop of brandy from the doctor for mopping up the wet. All very quiet this evening.

Day 29 – Thursday November 20th

This has been a very hot and a very wet day. The hatches down and the place below like a pig stye owing to the wet dripping down. A few fish were seen and the Captain caught a pike.

Day 30 – Friday November 21st

Passed a very hot and restless night – no sleep. More rain again today. Nothing occurred afresh. The violin at work a little in the evening.

Day 31 – Saturday November 22nd

Slept a little better last night. Rather a squally night. AT 3:15am, in a squall, had narrow escape of being run down by anothe ship without any lights – so near that a biscuit could be thrown on board. Thanks be to God for preserving us. Busy part of the day carpentering, making lids for the barrels. Another row about tea time – O’Keef refusing to do his share of the work. Put in irons for 48 hours. Another man was nearly served the same – only the word “bread and water” made him alter to go to his work. Music this evening. Wet and dark.

Day 32 – Sunday November 23rd

Passed a rather dark and squally night. Turned out a bright morning, a good breeze of wind. Going a little out of our track. Held divine service on the quarter deck. After service had a little cake between us. Had meat pie for dinner. Spent the afternoon on deck with Robert and Wm. During the afternoon Robert had a tooth drawn. Not so hot, but the breeze we have got is quite a treat. Divine service was held in the evening. Still going out of our track.

Day 33 – Monday November 24th

Passed a very uncomfortable night – nearly stifled with the heat in our large bedroom. Yound Harry rather troublesome – had to take him in our bed to make it all better. A few birds were seen, also a fish. Not very well today, or Sarah Ann either. Pork, pea soup and rice for dinner. No vessel in sight. O’Keef out of custody at 5pm. Came back to live with the married people again. A little music and dancing this evening. Killed one of the sheep.

Day 34 – Tuesday November 25th

A fine morning. Slept on the locker all night. Not quite so hot. Sarah Ann washing this morning. I made the pudding for dinner then went into the store for Mr. Wicks. Had dinner, then went into the store again for a short time. In the evening Mrs. Hill danced a Scotch dance. A fine night. Mr. Sutton had a little ointment on his head – smelt well. We crossed the line at 9:50am. Not so hot as it has been.

Day 35 – Wednesday November 26th

Did not go to bed all night, neither the night before – too hot to do so. Made Sarah Ann a little tea over the lamp at 6am. Had breakfast on deck at 8:30am. A fine morning with a good breeze. After dinner, a fight between Joe Humphrey and the stowaway. A barque in sight on the weather brow, homeward bound. Another bit of a fight between O’Keef and the ship’s cook. This day Wm. Harris gave up being a quarter master. A few birds were seen this afternoon. A concert was held this evening.

Day 36 – Thursday November 27th

Passed another almost sleepless night, the berth being very much like an oven. After the bread had been drawn at 7:30am, a full rigged ship in sight on the weather bow. At 9:30 the Captain signalled to her. The stranger ran up five flags. Our brave Captain ran the ensign up twice, then left it up for five minutes only. A few fishes were seen, also a sea bird or two. A good breeze of wind on our port beam. Another vessel in sight on the lee side, also a few more birds to be seen. After tea, Mrs. O’Keef nearly washed away out of the cabin. A fine night. Not much amusement, only a little singing.

Day 37 – Friday 28th November

Slept on the locker all night. Had a little more sleep. A little shower first think in the morning. Washing day among the women. Nothing in sight this morning, only water. Pork and pea soup for dinner. This day, at 1pm, a vessel in sight on the port side. Took 20 drops of Mrs. Harris’s medicine. At 4:30pm a brig and a schooner on our starboard side, abreast of each other, homeward bound. About 7pm, a brig passed very close on our port side – gave them a cheer. A fine night – good wind – going about 8 knots. No concert or singing this evening. Took four pills and went ot bed.

Day 38 – Saturday 29th November

A fine morning, no vessel in sight. After breakfast, Joe’s wife and Mrs. Hughes had some words. Mrs. Walker lost her hat, also some of the single girls, making five lost altogether. The day passed very quiet. No concert held this evening. The doctor, chief officer and carpenter nailing up the hospital door and the store-room partition. Little Walter rather poorly. Went to bed about 10pm. The wind having a spell.

Day 39 – Sunday November 30th

About midnight a still breeze sprung up. Soon afterwards one of the sails was blown adrift. Going about 10 knots an hour. No service was held this morning. Shipped several seas. One during ____ came across the hatchway like a river. Another cap lost this morning, belonging to Jack, the deck-boy. A good breeze all day. No service held in the evening. Rather too rough. Joe and the doctor had some words in the morning.

December 1873

Day 71 – January 1st 1874, Thursday, New Year’s Day

Woke up at midnight by the single men and crew ringing the old year out and the new one in. This was indeed a piece of Dutch chorus or rough music, for the noise was something dreadful. In the morning, Sarah Ann had a mustard poultice on her side, not being very well all night. In the afternoon saw two whales on hte starboard side. Assisted the doctor in distributing figs, nuts, apples, and books to the children, after which he draped the Christmas tree with books and pill boxes. The model ship was won by an Irishman. Turned Jerry’s number as 42. Birds in sight but no ship.

Day 72 – Friday January 2nd 1874

No vessel in sight all day. Passed a rather sleepless night, wind in our favour. Sarah Ann better. Wm. Harris took ill in the night – had to turn in. Walter’s eye a great deal better and John quiet. The model ship was bought by Harry Jones to be drawn by 60 members at 6s each (my number 29) in the afternoon. Wheeler the seaman was cleaning the forecastle out instead of turning in, and for his pains he received a severe punching and kicking. While on the deck after having his legs drawn from under him from behind by a comrade for mislaying one of his boots, and making the place so wet, not having the time to finish before eight bells, this was cruel work. The doctor bet Mr. Isaac, a first class passenger, that he could not walk 8 miles on the ?poap? in 2 hours. But the bet was won, which was £1.00.

Day 73 – Saturday January 3rd

Passed a quiet night. Wind shifted to our port quarter. A rainy morning. Wm. Harris still ill in bed. No vessel in sight but several birds flying about of different sizes. Yesterday another sheep was killed. At 4:30pm Jack the sailor and the stowaway had a fight. Jack stripped off his shirt for the purpose, but very few blows were exchanged. Joe Pumphrey put in irons for refusing to do some work allocated to him. Walter’s eye nearly well. Alice went to tea with Fanny and Janey.

Day 74 – Sunday January 4th

Passed another quiet night. A fine cold morning. Wind still in our favour. Birds following the ship. Mustered on the main deck but no service. Joe Pumphrey out for an hour’s exercise but locked up again. Service on quarter deckbut no sermon preached. No vessel n sight during the day. Emma Jane had tea with us.

Day 75 – Monday January 5th

Ship sailed well all night, doing 11 – 12 knots an hour. A dull, wet morning. No vessel in sight but a few birds. This day passed much the same as many others. The model ship was drawn for and won by one of the first class passengers.

Day 76 – Tuesday January 6th

Passed a quiet night. Wind in our favour. Killed a pig today. Weight 66lb. A few birds in sight but no ship. This day passed much the same as many others.

Day 77 – Wednesday January 7th

No sleep all night until the morning. Fair wind all night. A few birds flying round the ship. Wm. Harris very ill – again obliged to go to bed. No vessel in sight during the day.

Day 78 – Thursday January 8th

Passed a quiet night. Wind still in our favour. A few birds in sight but no vessel. Wm. Harris a little better. Harry Jones bought the model ship again of the first class passenger for 15/-.

Day 79 – Friday January 9th

Ship sailed well all night. About midnight shipped a very heavy sea, which made her stagger from stern to stern. No vessel in sight all day but a few birds. Wind on our starboard quarter. Sailing at the rate of 13 knots. Mr. ….. locked Alice in the storeroom and John in the hospital. William Harris much better.

Day 80 – Saturday January 10th

This day passed much the same as many others. A few birds in sight but no vessel. Had a fine day.

Day 81 – Sunday January 11th

This day has passed the same as many others. A few birds in sight but no vessel. No service was held during the day, neither were we mustered. John Thomas Barlow fell and cut his forehead against the winch – in the evening very bad. Wm. Harris got well. Alice went to tea with her sisters.

Day 82 – Monday January 12th

Ship rolled very much all night. Very little sleep during the night. A fine morning. A fair wind, sailing about 8 knots. A few birds in sight but no vessel. In the afternoon killed another sheep. In the evening we had a calm. Had a ticket for the opera glass off Joseph Cawthine but Mr. Wicks won it – Carl the sailor having sold it to J.C. Went to bed at 9pm. Ship rolling very much.

Day 83 – Tuesday January 13th

A good breeze sprung up at midnight and continued all day. The boxes were got up today for the last time, two of which were examined but nothing found that was missing. A bird or two flying about, no vessel in sight.

Day 84 – Wednesday January 14th

Ship sailed well all night. A fine morning. At 1pm sighted the rocks called The Snares. The passengers greatly excited. Sighted Stewart Island about 4pm. Droves of birds in sight. A great many dark brown birds swimming in the water like ducks. Repaired Mary Feeney’s box side. No vessel in sight during the day. The mainland not in sight up to 8 o’clock. Packed up a few things ready for going ashore. Shipped a heavy sea while Harry was under the hatchway. He had a good ducking.

Day 85 – Thursday January 15th

A good breeze of wind all night. At 12 midnight a ship crossed our bows very close. We had no lights as usual. Got up at 5:30am. This was a great sight to us all to see the mainland. A fine morning with a shower or two. At 11:30am passed a barque bound the same course. At 12 noon we passed the town of Dunedin. R. Pumphrey lost his cap while on the forecastle deck. Several birds like ducks swimming in the sea. At 2pm took the pilot on board in the bay – Mr. ….. by name. Tacked about for some time but could not make the port owing to the wind off the land. About 7pm the tug boat came alongside, but their hawser rope not being strong enough and ours being down in the hold, the tug laid off while the same was got up. It was then too dark to venture into port. So we let go the anchor and passed the night in the bay very quiet and snug. The tug left us for the night late in the evening. This ended a day of excitement. During the day no less than 5 ropes were broken by hauling on the boatswain, and Brown and Boad were hurt during the day – Boad in the hand, Brown in the head.

Day 86 – Friday January 16th 1874

Passed a quiet night. Got up at 5:30am and then commenced a day of excitement for all of us. Commenced packing up our things and the bedding. Had breakfast and then looked out for the tug to take us in to port. Had a turn at the windlass and heaved up the slack of the cable. About 1pm we started for Port Chalmers, the scenery from the bay being beautiful. All passengers went on board the small steamer GEELONG and were brought up to Dunedin. George Adams coming off at Port Chalmers to meet us and came up to town with us. Landed at the jetty. Had a ….. Paid an express to take our luggage to George’s house, and one and all did justice to a good hot dinner.

Arrived in Dunedin in ship Dunfillan January 16th 1874. Called on Mr. Colling Allan the immigration officer and made application for the £20 worth of land due to me for Walter and Henry (on account of me paying their full passage money out). My name was registered for the same by the officer February 10th 1874. Called again February 17th 1874.

January 20th 1874

Robert and I went by train to Port Chalmers. Took boat and went to the Dunfillan about our luggage and dined aboard. Name of engine of train: JOSEPHINE.