A Short Account of My Voyage Per the St Kilda
from Liverpool to Otago, New Zealand
Monday - Wednesday, July 7 - 9th 1873
Very fine and hot and nearly becalmed. On the 9th we found ourselves in a strong current, which coming from the East Indies meets another from Cape Horn about this latitude. At this time we had been for several hours without the slightest wind, when all at once we found we were moving tho' the sails were still flapping against the mast. On either side of us, perhaps about a mile off, was a great streak of foam caused by the current running through the still water. This phenomenon lasted some hours when a slight breeze springing up, all trace of it soon died away. We had been carried, the Captain said, at about 3 knots. Saw what we thought was a devil fish, but it did not come near enough for us to be certain. Another barrel of flour (extra stores for which we had to pay) was opened.
Thursday, July 10th 1873
Fine morning but squally in the evening.
Friday, July 11th 1873
Splendid breeze on this and the following day. Ship going 10 1/2 - 13 knots, but being from the exact quarter East in which we wanted to steer, we had to go several points to the Southward, and consequently didn't make as much actual progress as we might have done.
Sunday, July 13th 1873
Smart managed to let the kettle of pea soup drop and run all over the deck, as he was carrying it from the galley and on the 14th Ward managed to do the same with a meat pie. Both those gentlemen were consequently out of old Blackie's book for some days and he assured them that they would never do any good in New Zealand; and then he would wind up with: "But what can you expect of new chums".
Tuesday, July 15th 1873
Fine morning. Afternoon came on to blow very heavy and we had to shorten sail. Ward and Smart had a fight. Very cold. Lizzie managed to do some washing in the galley, as a very great favour.
Wednesday, July 16th 1873
Very cold and calm. Saw a very large whale. Caught a great many Cape Pigeons and also some Cape Hens.
Thursday, July 17th 1873
Ship going about 2 knots all day. Rather hot sun though extremely cold in the shade.
Friday, July 18th 1873
Awoke to find a slashing breeze and the ship going about 10 knots. Beautiful morning and afternoon but rain set in after tea. In the afternoon there were hundreds of young porpoises playing round the bow, dashing and splashing about, and tho' we were going 10 knots, they kept up with us with the greatest of ease. Today I made a cupboard in our cabin. Cook killed a pig and we all received our stores. 10 weeks out.
Saturday, July 19th 1873
Light wind. Fine.
Sunday, July 20th 1873
Strong breeze and very heavy sea. Passed, tho' did not sight the "Twelve Apostles".
Monday, July 21st 1873
Heavy gale, very cold, wet rain and mist.
Tuesday, July 22nd 1873
Very heavy gale, which being aft, helped us on fine. At 4am we were going 13 1/2 knots.
And the final page(s)
Yes, you have guessed it - unfortunately, they have been lost in time ...
Journey to NZ