{"id":944,"date":"2026-06-09T05:57:48","date_gmt":"2026-06-09T05:57:48","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/timpson.nz\/?page_id=944"},"modified":"2026-06-09T06:01:55","modified_gmt":"2026-06-09T06:01:55","slug":"ann-timpsons-diary-on-the-voyage-out","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/timpson.nz\/index.php\/ann-timpsons-diary-on-the-voyage-out\/","title":{"rendered":"Ann Timpson’s Diary on the Voyage Out"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
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SHIP LANGSTONE – 1886<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

April<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Thursday, April 29th 1886<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Came on board after dinner. A fellow passenger, Miss Scales, came next. She is going out to an Aunt, going to take charge of a boy three years old on board. He is to be taken to an Aunt in Dunedin who will adopt. Got no sleep. All seemed very quiet, only heard the night watch and Captain’s dog. 2 young men, third class passengers came on with their beds, will not sleep on board tonight.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Friday, 30th<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Commenced to move soon after 7 a.m.; did not stop at Gravesend. The family of six persons did not embark which makes more room for us. Wind against the tide, sea rough after leaving Gravesend. Lost sight of land for a time at 1\/2 past 4. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Children delighted; scene lovely, also weather. 6 o’clock all feeling very queer. We have very comfortable berths and not overcrowded as a family of 6 persons did not come that were provided for. We have really 2nd class berths as there are no 1st class passengers and only 3 2nd class. We were very lucky for if there had been any 1st class we should have had to be down in the hold and that would have been dreadful.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Saturday, May 1st<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Myself very ill, rough night, all of us sick and the other child; in most cases did not last long. Myself very ill. Husband began to retch, all strength left his legs, he fell on floor and could not get up again till 1 o’clock in morning. Splendid weather.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Sunday, 2nd<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Feeling worse. 2nd Mate has been telling us this is the first time he has ever come down Channel in fair weather. He says they have been 16 days coming as far as we have up to now. Many ships have passed today; one large steamer outward bound, saw a lot of passengers on deck.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Monday, 3rd<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Very ill, not able to get up. Passed the Bay of Biscay. Sailors tell us it is fair weather, we think it rough. Passed several fishing smacks; sight of Lands End, Lizards Point. A swallow and sparrow on board.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Tuesday 4th<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Still no better. Sighted several ships. Captain sends up our colours one ship answers to them. Lovely weather.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Wednesday 5th<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Exhausted. Lovely weather. 3 hens die being too closely housed.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Thursday 6th<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Fair wind. Going at rate of nine knots an hour. Too ill to write.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Friday 7th<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Much better today. Lovely weather, sea quite calm, going very slow. Sailors all pulling a rope to alter sails, rope breaks, sailors go up to top mast to repair. 9 o’clock sea looks all like phosphorous, the other passengers all gone up on deck to look, myself in bed.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Saturday 8th<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Better still. Wet morning. Lillie asking to go out across the fields, Captain laughing at her, ship in sight. Instructing fellow passengers how to make a cake for Sunday tea, find we have no currants to put in so make one without.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Sunday 9th<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Swallow on board goes through the porthole in Captain’s cabin quite tame. Becalmed, sighted three ships one steamer outward bound. We went to Captain’s room had good music and singing. Ship rocking very much but scarcely making any progress.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Monday 10th<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Got up early, saw sailors catch two porpoises, large ones, very queer looking fish, they will cook part of them, liver and heart specially good, large numbers come round the ship night and mornings.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Tuesday 11th<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Lovely morning. Ship scarcely moving. 9 o’clock Captain and 3 men go out in boats, can see turtle, been out again caught 4 today. Sea quite calm, 3 ships in sight. 5 o’clock slight breeze. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Sailors making ropes tight and singing a song. Had some porpoise liver for breakfast, splendid, would not know it from pigs, porpoise steak for dinner and beef, all prefer steak, made some buns for tea, Cook in bad temper so they are not half cooked.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Captain’s made the two little children a nice swing, they are now enjoying it. I have been doctoring a fowl, they have got the pip badly, gave it some cinder and butter. Weather very hot, another ship sighted 9 o’clock, we are going along fine now, had some music tonight.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Wednesday 12th<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Feeling very sick today, stomach still very weak still not able to take any solid food. Meat bad, preserved meats are good, the other not fit to eat, sugar very bad and treacle. No one coming out should neglect to provide themselves with a good supply of extract of beef, apples, lemons and loaf sugar and a good cooked home cured ham or a piece of bacon uncooked, if I had only got a bit now I would give 6 times its value, bread we do not get.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The flour could be made into bread but we have got an abominable cook he spoiled all our bread and now will not bake it for us. He wants about 10s for the voyage off each person, he spoils all our puddings and cakes, the pudding today is quite raw so we must have it for tea.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Thursday 13th<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Feeling better, lovely morning. A French ship passed close by us this morning, Name, Elesia, bound we believe for New York. No bread yet, children getting thin for want of it. Myself not able to eat biscuits, when I take a small bit am always sick, had none of ship’s food yet only a little porridge and pea soup, feel quite ill for want of food. Lillie had a fall off a box on deck today and hurt her head.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Passing Madeira<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Friday 14th<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Lovely day, sighted the Island of Madeira about 46 miles off. We have plenty of flour but the horrid cook will neither sell us yeast nor bake us bread if we pay him. He is a lanky Scotchman. There will be something done if no alterations, it is hard to starve and plenty of food on ship. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Very cloudy tonight, raining a little, we had a rocking all last night, the tins were not properly secured so kept clattering all night, our sides were sore with bumping against the bedside.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Saturday 15th<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Got up on deck at 1\/2 past 5 a.m., fine morning, sighted a ship a long way off. Been very busy all day mending ready for Sunday. Made some bread, Captain ordered the steward to give us some yeast so we shall have a treat of bread tomorrow. We are going along fine rocking very slightly. They have been putting up an awning today expecting hot weather very soon.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Sunday 16th \u2028<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Got up early, saw one of the Sailors reading his Prayer Book. During the morning sighted the Canary Islands. Had music and singing on deck, all very peaceful.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Monday 17th<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Lovely day, been watching small fish called Portuguese man of war, very pretty fish, hundreds of them, it is said they are seen most just before a calm. Very warm evening, sitting on deck singing. Sailors and all seem very pleased to see me about again, am feeling pretty well again, we are going along fine.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Tuesday 18th<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Got up early. Sailors began hammering close to our windows before 6 o’clock chipping off all the paint from the iron, most dreadful noise, they are going to paint and do up the ship as they go along. Captain always busy, today he is sewing some calico to cover the flowers so as to preserve the bloom. Sailors and passengers going to have a smoking concert tonight. They all appear very decent fellows.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

I made a large meat pie from our preserved meat today, it was very good. Sailors wished they lived our end of the ship, often give them odds and ends that we can spare also books which they seem glad to get. Saw some flying fish today for the first time. White small ones.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Wednesday 19th<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Myself very unwell, all the rest on board well and as merry as possible. A lot of flying fish came overhead today, caught 2 small ones that hit the side of the ship about the size of small fresh herrings. Got a fine wind what they call the Trade Winds, going along about 9 knots an hour.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Cook has made us lovely bread, we have agreed to pay him to do so for I find it impossible to live without bread as I cannot take any meat nor any of the children. The Captain says it is good, but what makes it smell and taste so bad is perhaps that it has been in salt 3 or more years. The sight of it is enough to make one ill. Sun just overhead at 12 o’clock a.m.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Thursday 20th<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Going about 9 knots, very hot, nice breeze. Lillie very poorly, cannot take ship’s food, feels very sick. Had a concert on the poop tonight which seems to brighten us up.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Friday 21st<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Very hot wind; all hurry, took down the large pole from the Mast called the fore yard arm, going to put a new one up, astonishing how easy they got it down taking off all the irons to put on the new pole. A sailing ship not far ahead of us, we are gaining on her fast, going now at 10 p.m. at about 6 knots.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Sailors been singing and playing music, Lillie still very poorly. Phospherous on the water tonight, looks lovely. Saw lots of flying fish today, all small ones. There are 3 young lads on ship, apprentices, the oldest one not well, bilious attack.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Saturday 22nd<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

All hands busy getting the fore yard arm ready to put up today. 4 o’clock got the pole up, all look very hot and tired, wind beginning to blow a little, ship still in sight. Very hot tonight, saw a Dolphin leap out of the water, a fine one, lots of small flying fish, boys not able to shoot any with their catapult. Can see the Southern Cross.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Sunday 23rd<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Lovely breeze. Lillie keeps on asking to go to Church. The children say it is not like Sunday, we get no service at all, such a pity for I believe most on ship would enjoy it. Sailors caught a fish as big as a large sized mackerel. Going about 6 knots. Myself very poorly, the rest well, very hot.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Monday 24th<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Very hot, not going very fast. Caught another fish, name Beneeta (do not know how to spell it). Captain and men have made a fine bathing place, fixed a pump at side of ship, the hose put in sea and other end on top of bath leads through a tin punched full of holes.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The Cabin boy and one of the apprentices had a little fight. The Captain in a towering passion beat the Cabin boy most unmercifully. He twisted his, the boy’s, head between his legs and pulled his clothes off and called for a rope but no one would give him one. He then snatched up the boy’s strap with large buckles and brass nails. He beat him cruelly.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Tuesday 25th<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

The boy’s neck is so stiff cannot move his head, he has no friends. I felt so ill all night with the upset. Nearly everyone on ship considers the Captain a coward to treat a poor boy so he has scarcely any flesh on him, looks consumptive.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

There are some things we do not like on the ship about which I cannot write because I have no positive proof, shall be glad if it please God we get to our journey’s end soon. Do not advise anyone to come out on this line. This ship made her last passage on 107 days, brought home wool, she made a passage out once in 85 days.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Wednesday 26th<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Very wet today. A shark has been round the ship for a good while, tried to catch it with bait, then the harpoon, but did not get it. Very hot downstairs, we all feel ill and weak, cannot eat the food, the meat is horrible.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The Cabin Boy told me tonight the captain had read his log book about punishing him to him. He had put down that he gave him two or three cuts on his bare back, then asked him if he had anything to say, he said no. I told him why he did not tell him to put down the number of cuts, over a dozen, but he said it is no use me to speak, if I do he tells me to shut up, he does not wish to hear me. I have not spoken to the captain since he beat the boy I feel too indignant.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Thursday 27th<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Very hot indeed. Jack and Annie are very ill, it is owing to the hot weather and no proper nourishment, all feel very poorly. Ship in sight; thunder and lightning very vivid, pours with rain in torrents, saw a large fish called a thrasher, it was fighting a whale. They get on the whales’ back and thrash them to death with their tails. Sea nearly calm and all, and all at once it commenced to roll; we have a rocking tonight.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Friday 28th<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

We left the door open for air. About one o’clock the rain came down as I have never heard rain before. It came pouring downstairs, I had a candle that I had brought with me so I lighted it – there was Timpson and Charlie and Mr Mankin paddling about in the water, one holding the light, another the pail and the other mopping the water up, quite a pantomime. Annie worse today, very sick, Jack able to get up on deck. A ship passed us a long way off during the night.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Saturday 29th<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Very hot, we must be getting near the line, but if anyone asks where we are we get no answer. Children a little better, not going very fast.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Passing the Equator<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Sunday 30th<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Very hot but nice breeze. I made the three apprentices a pudding. They must feel the miss of home most as they are the sons of gentlemen. They seem very grateful for any little kindness. I saw them washing their handkerchiefs the other day, it looked so funny and out of place. We passed the Equator in the night, got a good rocking.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Monday 31st<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Lovely morning, not quite so hot. Timpson very sick and low on account of the food being so inferior. A heavy squall just after one o’clock today, The Royal back Stail snapped in two. It is a thick wire rope, the men had to look smart or the end mast would have broke with the pressure on it, the squall came on so quickly. Been very squally all the afternoon, sea rough tonight. Myself very poorly, go to bed early, cannot go to sleep weather so stormy.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

June<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Tuesday June 1st<\/em> <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Feeling very bad, cannot take food which is so bad. Sea very rough at 5 o’clock p.m., expecting a storm. Never advise anyone to come out in any ship when there is no Doctor. Complained of the food to Captain, he says we are all dainty; he ought to be ill, and have our food set before him with the choice either eat it or starve.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

I never saw my husband, self or children so thin in my life. The cook, steward and sailors all say it is the very worst ship for food and stint in every way that they have ever been on, in fact they ought not to take out passengers at all. We are best off for sleeping room but should not have been if the other family had come. Been going twelve knots an hour.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Wednesday 2nd<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Fine breeze, going ten knots. Had a rough night. A homeward bound passed us about one o’clock in the night. A bird caught on deck last night in the storm, some say it is a stormy petrel, others say a Mother Carey’s chicken. Very squally.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Thursday 3rd<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

A lovely morning, going about 9 knots. Feeling somewhat better but very weak. One of the sailors, a German, has made Timpson and I a picture frame to put our photos in. He has cut them lovely, put our initials at bottom. All round the edge is tiny bits of wood fixed one in the other, so pretty, we shall prize them very much. The sailors are very ingenious, they make such pretty mats of string also of wool. Heavy squalls, I slept several hours last night more than I have since on ship. During the night heavy squalls.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Friday 4th<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Fine morning, ship rocking. Weather getting cooler, for which we are very thankful. Men busy on the poop, shall be glad when they have finished hammering. They have been filling the seams on floor with rope stuff then cement, the noise has been dreadful ever since we have been on board, they seem to leave everything to do as we go along, it is most uncomfortable, no place to sit down, it is most tiring.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Sailors and men say it is not so on most ships, this is the worst accommodated ship they ever were in and the most scant supply of food. We shall always feel very grateful to you for the pills we received that you ordered to be sent us for we have found quinine and iron a valuable medicine.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Saturday 5th<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Lovely morning, got up early, went up on the folksail head to get the breeze. Do not like to go there in the daytime as that is close to the sailors’ apartments. Saw lots of small flying fish. I have made a large meat pie for our Sunday’s dinner from the preserved beef we got. I have made it resemble a raised pie. I do all the cooking and manage our stores so as to make them hold out for the week.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Sunday 6th<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Got up early. Ship nearly alongside, 3 more in sight. They signalled to one about 12 o’clock, but they took no notice of it only put out the stars and stripes – an American. Going along fine, this is our 6th Sunday on the water. We often talk about our kind friends at Cheltenham, we hope dear Mr. MacArthur is better. We shall soon now be getting into rough weather; making here every preparation.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Monday 7th<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

I have been very ill all night, dreadful pains in stomach and very weak, every little thing upsets me. Sighted three ships, one came pretty close to us. Wish it had been daytime, probably we could have sent letters home, being night they could not have seen any signals.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Tuesday 8th<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Feeling somewhat better. A ship came quite close this morning. She was a wooden one and had lost part of her mainmast, in a sudden squall, looked so funny with it gone. She is making for the Brazils. Another ship in sight, farther off 7 o’clock a.m. Annie very poorly the rest well.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Wednesday 9th<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Sailor putting up new sails. Looks like thunder weather. Much cooler, we are looking forward now for Winter. In another week we expect very cold weather.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Thursday 10th<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Lovely morning, but look like thunder. Thunder lightning and rain 12 a.m. Very rough sea expect a bad night.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Friday 11th<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Saw a lot of porpoises. Got no sleep, dreadful rough sea, not had such a rocking before, feel sick; been waking about all night. As soon as I got into bed something would begin to rattle. The noise of the partitions is horrible day and night. The ship is not meant to carry passengers. I am thankful we have been on the water 6 weeks we shall be looking forward to the end now. Saw two large whales this morning. The sea looks like immense mountains.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Saturday 12th<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Last night the lightning was magnificent. We are having it rough now, sailors say they have never before had such rough sea coming here. I am writing this on Wednesday, could not hold a pen before. Sailors have to pass our meals on one from another along deck. We are not allowed out, in fact impossible to get out.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Sunday 13th<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Lots of cape pigeons and hens follow us today, such pretty creatures. Sea looks like mountains and us in a hollow; all at once we are on top of a wave. Timpson got up on poop a little while, got a bad fall, a wave came and knocked him down and hurt his back. All that have been up have had a fall. John Toms we shall all remember it, impossible to sit still.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Rough Seas<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Monday 14th<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Awfully rough; I have been very sick and ill since Friday. Lilly and Annie sick also more of the passengers. Charlie caught three of the cape pigeons today, when I am able I shall dress the skins. We got no sleep every minute it seems as if the ship were going down. Quite a pantomime with the meals, we cannot keep anything on the table without holding.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Tuesday 15th<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

The sea came all over the decks, been up to knees in water. Lots of the sailors and men have had falls, thank God no one washed over-board. Timpson was getting out of bed this morning, ship gave a lurch shot him across the room and hurt his face. I had to go to the children’s room, the boards are so slippery with the wet, got a bad fall, hurt both legs; left leg very bad cannot stand on it. 32 latitude.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Wednesday 16th<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Somewhat calmer, but still bad. Two ships sighted. I am very sore all over with the shake I got last night, leg very bad cannot walk on it. Sickness stopped. We get it dark now soon after 5 o’clock, and not light much before 7 in morning – very long night. Weather cold, far better than heat of the tropics.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Thursday 17th<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Sea still very rough. My leg is very bad, it is swelled as big as two. Cannot stand on it at all, I fell all together ill. We have made little progress during this rough weather, changed today, going on well, going South by East.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Friday 18th<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Much calmer. The others are all up on deck. They have just caught a shark, half past two o’clock. Charley has caught an ice bird, a very pretty creature, he has some small fish hooks of Herbert and Jack, he put pieces of pork on and a long cotton some of the others he caught with the cotton alone. He lets the cotton float in the air, the birds get their wings entangled then pulls them in that way. They cooked some of the young shark, the flesh is very white and soft, I could not taste it my appetite is not good enough for that.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Saturday 19th<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Sea very rough and weather wet. No one can get up on deck. It is quite a pantomime to wash up our dishes. It takes one to hold the bowl, another to wash, one to dry and one to pack them up. A large ship passed before our ship, she is a Scotsman.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Sunday 20th<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Had a great rocking all night but sea calm today. Going very slow indeed, going South South by East. Leg a little better. I got up on deck a little while. Sighted a ship a good way off. Water comes badly on Charlie’s bed. He has not been able to sleep in his bed for three or four nights.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Monday 21st<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

9 o’clock am all excitement on board. A French ship alongside speaking to us from Amsterdam bound for Java been out 55 days. Very wet, sea very rough, no one can get up on deck.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Tuesday 22nd<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Very foggy and wet like our Nov. & Dec. at home. I have started to make a rag mat, cannot do anything particular because of the rocking.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Wednesday 23rd<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Wet and foggy. Charlie has caught two Molly Mauk, I don’t know if that is how it is spelt, the first mate got five. They are as large as a goose. We have been skinning them, they will make lovely muffs. The fat they make into tobacco pouches, the small bones out of the wings for tobacco pipe stems. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

No one has any alum or anything to dress the skins so we must dry them and cure them when we land. But we are going on very slow, they expected to make up for lost time here but we are nearly at a standstill. Rocks more than ever before.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Thursday 24th<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Sea very rough going 11 knots that is the most we can go. Had a rough night, very cold. We feel it after the intense heat.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Friday 25th<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Very rough. No one can go up on deck. The sailors hand us our food from the galley. All feeling better, we have got a favourable wind so hope soon to be at the end of our voyage.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Saturday 26th<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Sea rough and raining. Charlie is scrubbing the place out, it is his turn, we all take it in turn. Everyone seems to have got tired of the voyage, it is so monotonous, it is much more pleasant when a lot of passengers go out. A whale just alongside, saw it quite plain.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Sunday 27th<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Very nice day. Sighted a large sailing ship. I have been up on deck for two hours today. Have not been able to get up only for a minute for over a fortnight. I feel a lot better for going up. The sailors are very kind, they all help where I am not safe.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Monday 28th<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Very stiff this morning with my walk on deck yesterday, but feel better than I have since I left land. I feel just as if I had been skating. A ship in sight, believe it to be the same as saw yesterday. The sea nearly calm, very unusual weather here always expect it rough. I have been washing some handkerchiefs and towels. Saw some black fish very near us. A storm rising 6 p.m.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Tuesday 29th<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Rough night, no sleep. Very rough sea, going near 12 knots. As much as they dare to venture with so small a ship. Not able to get up stairs at all. Children get very tired. Going along fine. Saw some porpoises again today and lots of splendid birds follow all the way now.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Wednesday 30th<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Fine breeze this morning but heavy squalls. They have taken down a lot of the sails. Not able to go up on deck such a high sea. Had a rough night, Captain expected to have a worse night than it was.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

July<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

July 1st Thursday<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Had a dreadful night, seemed every few minutes as if the ship must be swamped. The sea came over the poop with great force. Did not sleep at all, very rough morning, rain, wind and rough sea.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Friday 2nd<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Lots of birds today – wet and bitter cold. We feel the cold very much so soon after the intense heat of the tropics. Not able to get up on deck, the sea comes over all decks, bulwarks very low. Lillie said today “I never lived in a house like this before” – the ship was rocking and water running about the floors. We are getting much better pork now, the beef is not up to much, but still not so bad as it was the first two months. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

They killed a pig today, a porker one died a fortnight since with the rough weather, got drowned I suppose. They eat it in cabin but we got none of it. I could not have eaten it at home but should have been very glad to have had a bit now. Saw porpoise today.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Saturday 3rd<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Fine day. Ship sighted. Have been cleaning out our bedrooms, we take every chance now that we get to clean up. Very cold, looks like rough weather at 4 p.m. Timpson’s hands are very swollen with the cold, he ought to have put on his gloves to protect them.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Sunday 4th<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Bitter cold. Expecting squalls, going fast, expect to be another month on the water.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Monday 5th<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Had the roughest night we have had on the voyage. Four of the sailors have got hurt with the waves dashing over them. Got knocked down. The water comes in, our beds are all the time quite wet, we have to sleep in our clothes. Timpson, Charlie and I have got rheumatics all over us, none of us can get on deck – sea very rough. I heard today we had got out of our course during the night not far off some rocks.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Snow on Board<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Tuesday 6th<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Fine morning. Fall of snow about 11 o’clock this morning, quite thick on deck, some of them played snowballs. Captain and a sailor moved the boys’ beds the other side of the roof where the rain cannot come on them. I had to go to bed after dinner, rheumatism all over me.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Had a great upset tonight, Timpson went out to get me some arrowroot about 8 o’clock, all my children were in bed. When he got up the steps he shut the door, came back up the outside steps to pull the top to, saw the female passenger go into the two single men’s room (they being on deck), thought it strange so stood still; in a few minutes she came to the door which is only a yard and a half from steps, he saw her distinctly take out the purse. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

He waited to see no more, he felt troubled. When he came to bed he told me about it. We called the men in our room, asked what cash was in. He told us he found \u00a31 short.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Wednesday 7th<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

This morning accused her of stealing it. She flatly denied going near the room. I heard someone in the room, thought it was one of the men. The owner of bag found it put back wrong, it was on his hat and crushed in the crown. This is very unpleasant for all of us. Sea very rough none of us can get out, we are feeling a little better tonight.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Thursday 8th<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Stormy and cold. I am still far from well, but hope I shall feel better before we land, are looking forward to the time now.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Friday 9th<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Lovely day, all have been up on deck. It feels just like Christmas weather in England. The moon is lovely and bright tonight. Had a very slight fall of either hail or snow tonight. The weather is very bracing.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Saturday 10th<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Had a pretty good night and scarcely felt the ship was moving, but going as fast as possible. I have explained my condition of health to Captain, he has given me a bottle of Port wine and some quinine. I am to have soup every day so hope soon to feel stronger. Got up on deck a little while this morning but the sea commenced to get rough and we have had a gale. Wind has got aft so she rocks more.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Sunday 11th<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Very wet and squally today, none of us can get out; very cold indeed. We have made fine progress the last week or ten days. This is the eleventh Sunday.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Monday 12th<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Fine but very cold. Sea nearly calm. Captain very kind to me. He was cross because I had not told him before my state of health. I feel a little better already, rest of family pretty well. We hope to be in New Zealand in about 18 more days.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Tuesday 13th<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Wet and cold, sleet or snow falling all day. We had a splendid dinner. Captain gave us a leg of pork so we had it roasted. Every one enjoyed it, it was such a treat to get fresh meat.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Wednesday 14th<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Heavy fall of snow. The boys and men snowballing. It looks just like Christmas at home, only colder or we feel it more. No fires and cannot walk about fast if on deck, because of the rocking of the ship. Jack caught two cape pigeons today.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Thursday 15th<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Squally, going very fast. All pretty well, myself feeling better. Ship steady so have been writing letters to home.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Friday 16th<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Fine day but cannot get on deck. The sea comes over and swamps them. We have made the greatest progress today of any since we started.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Saturday 17th<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Rain this morning. Ship going very steady. Still making good progress. Captain gave us another leg of pork so we shall have a feast tomorrow. Very cold, we are all getting ready for landing. I put all our linen that we require to wear between the blankets as they feel very damp.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Sunday 18th<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Still cold and wet. About 12 o’clock last night we were about a week sail from Australasia.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Monday 19th<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Still wet and cold but going on fine so we do not mind. I still keep very poorly all the others pretty well, lots of seaweed floating about.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Tuesday 20th<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Very wet and cold but going fast. Myself feeling better rest pretty well.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Wednesday 21st<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Wet morning, fine afternoon. I got up on deck for an hour and feel all the better for it.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Arrived 2nd August 1886 at Lyttelton<\/strong><\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n

<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

SHIP LANGSTONE – 1886 April Thursday, April 29th 1886 Came on board after dinner. A fellow passenger, Miss Scales, came next. She is going out to an Aunt, going to take charge of a boy three years old on board. He is to be taken to an Aunt in Dunedin who will adopt. Got no…<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":4,"featured_media":0,"parent":0,"menu_order":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","template":"","meta":{"_kad_post_transparent":"","_kad_post_title":"","_kad_post_layout":"","_kad_post_sidebar_id":"","_kad_post_content_style":"","_kad_post_vertical_padding":"","_kad_post_feature":"","_kad_post_feature_position":"","_kad_post_header":false,"_kad_post_footer":false,"_kad_post_classname":"","footnotes":""},"class_list":["post-944","page","type-page","status-publish","hentry"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/timpson.nz\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/944","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/timpson.nz\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/timpson.nz\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/page"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/timpson.nz\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/4"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/timpson.nz\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=944"}],"version-history":[{"count":4,"href":"https:\/\/timpson.nz\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/944\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":949,"href":"https:\/\/timpson.nz\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/944\/revisions\/949"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/timpson.nz\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=944"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}