Townsville
or hell! Charles Fleming's 1883 emigration diary
Townsville
or hell!
Charles Fleming's 1883 emigration diary
Charles
Fleming
The following text is a transcript of my GG-Grandfather's 1883 Diary. It was written by Charles Fleming on board the "Eastern Monarch" during and immediately after its voyage from Glasgow to Townsville (non-stop). He was accompanied by his wife Margaret (Ballantyne) and their son Charles (Jnr).
It was an extremely eventful and dangerous journey. Some of the incidents
related below are:
* Day 2 The
ship's captain threatens to shoot the first man to disobey him
* Day 3 Ship
almost wrecked on a rock
* Day 23 "i
compleatly fail in describing to you the seenery this day has displayed"
* Day 25 The
Fleming's second son, William, is born
* Day 54 Ship
in danger of sinking when cargo shifts during prolonged gale
* Day 94 "i
saw him die his poor mother fell back into my arms in a faint" (several
children died from disease)
* Day 97 "the
the little boy was taken to the iland and burried"
* Day
99 "the
fourth mate rushed into the cabin shouting to Captain there was a mutiny on
board"
* Day 108 "puting
us all in quarrentine"
* Day 108 "i
have seena good many coketoes and other beautiful birds but no monkeys"
Click the image at right to see a
photograph page
1 of the shipboard diary of Charles Fleming, aboard "Eastern Monarch"
1883 voyage from Glasgow to Townsville
Charles' opinion of the captain changed dramatically as events unfolded:
Day 2: i
believe him to be a very pasionate but a good captain
Day 39: and
as for the captain I never heard such a swearing fearles man
Day 54: our
Captain which i believe now to be a thourough ass
Day 61: the
captain who is a drunken empty fool
Day 99: the
captain is childish and goes on like a madman
Here then, is the transcript, exactly as written.
Friday 20th July 1883
My dear Uncle and Aunt after leaving you on friday we arrived all safe on board
the En Monarch between 3 and 4 Oclock, their was great confusion until we got
our births secured, and our beds arranged, we were very fortunate in getting a
good birth it is one of the top ones with a window looking right into it, i
waited up that night to about 20 minutes from 12pm when the tug began to tough
us away then we went to our bed but i got up with my knees on my bed and my face
to the window watching the wellknown shore til we passed Rothsey bay i then lay
down and slept sound to 5.30am. I got up then and saw the tug leaving us at 6am.
other Diary
Satturday 21st July
2nd day
After the tug left us we had a good breeze blowing which carried us along the
north coast of ireland at a good speed but in the afternoon their was a strong
breeze sprung up which lasted all night and there was scarcely a passanger on
board but was lying about the deck sea sick, and amongst ourselves Maggie and
Charles were very ill i was enjoying a good laugh at them when i was atackted
myself with the same, you may form an idea of what we were like when we lay in
our bed all night with all our clothes on one incident i may mention i saw one
of the sailors disobey
the captain he then got
into a great pasion and rushed into his cabin and returned imeadiately and as he
came i saw in his hand a revolver whith which he swore by the living God he
would shoot the first man that would disobey him but the doctor came before him
and got him up on the poop, the sailors then went to their work, this was just
as the storm had begun i
believe him to be a very pasionate but a good captain.
Sunday 22nd July
3rd day
On getting up this morning the first thing we learned was that we had a very
narrow escape with our lives about 1am our ship had been only one boat length
from a hidden
rock when one of the
sailors noticed the white foam rising from it, and as we have great reason to
thank God the man at the wheel seeing it at same time and without waiting for
the word of command brought the ship suddenly round just in time to cleare it,
the captain then seeing that the wind was too much against him ordered the ship
to be brought back the same way we had gone and go round the south coast of
Ireland all the young men were ordered on deck to help the sailors and a good
many of them in nothing but their shirt and drawers until the danger was past,
we had not much of a sunday owing to the confusion that still prevailed
Monday 23rd July
4th day
On getting up this morning we found the sea very calm and up to late in the
aftrenoon we never moved out of the bit but as night came on there was a strong
breeze sprung up and then our ship began to plough through the water at a rapid
speed.
Tuesday 24th July
5th day
After roling in our bed all night we got up to find our ship labouring in a very
heavy sea which lasted all day, we were all sea sick again the whole day and
scarcely eat a bit of any thing.
Wednesday 25th July
6th day
We have had a splendid day all through today, having gone at the rate of about 7
miles an hour.
Thursday 26th July
7th day
Lat 45° = 20' N
Longt 10° = 39' W
24 hours sailing today 130 miles this is from 12 to 12 each day this has been a
splendid day and we have enjoyed our selves watching the fish in the water and
some beautiful birds that have followed the ship ocasionaly
Friday 27th July
8th day
Lat 42° = 44' N
Longt 11° = 59' W
Dist 166 miles
another good day, we had a very nice concert in the evening, we have all to take
our turn of night watch down below as the sailors are not alowed down I was on
this night from 8 to 12 Oclock.
Satturday 28th July
9th day
Lat 40° = 35' N
Longt 13° = 57' W
Dist 156 miles
This has been another very pleasant day and endid with the captain and his crew
giving us a very nice concert.
Sunday 29th July
10th day
Lat 38° = 12' N
Longt 15° = 32' W
Dist 160 miles
This has been a very warm day and we are in a manner right oposit Gibralter we
have spent the day very pleasantly in singing Psalms and Hymns.
Monday 30th July
11th day
Lat 35° = 21' N
Longt 17° = 10' W
Dist 189 miles
This day has been very warm and has passed very pleasantly in the evening we had
another very nice concert amongst ourselves and about a quarter past 9pm the
Woman in the bunk next to ours gave birth to a daughter its name is to be
Wilamena Russel it is called for the doctor whos name is William Russel.
Tuesday 31sth July
12th day
Lat 32° = 43' N
Longt 18° = 31' W
Dist 172 miles
Madeira is 68 miles East of us today. Another very warm day.
Wednesday 1st August
13th day
Lat 30° = 24' N
Longt 19° = 35' W
Dist 150 miles
S of Palma S.E. 120 miles from us today. another warm day the heat is increasing
very much.
Thursday 2nd August
14th day
Lat 28° = 49' N
Longt 20° = 11' W
Dist 100 miles
This has been another very warm day and there has been great bustle and
excitement on board all day bringing the passangers chests on deck i was down
the hould nearly all day glad of the chance of a good days work.
Friday 3rd August
15th day
Lat 26° = 34' N
Longt 21° = 33' W
Dist 153 miles
and has been another warm day we have amused ourselves the most of the day
watching the waves which rise to the very edge of the ship and often coming over
on deck then the water will go away down almost leaving the bottom of the ship
base this seenery is very beautiful to look on, i have got myself drenched a
good many times.
Satturday 4th August
16th day
Lat 23° = 18' N
Longt 23° = 34' W
Dist 212 miles
We are now in the tropics. this has been another good day with a very warm sun
above us, we have seen a great many flying fish today and we very often get them
lying about the deck in the morning.
Sunday 5th August
17th day
Lat 20° = 29' N
Longt 24° = 34' W
Dist 189 miles
Another warm day and after the church bell was rung the captain delivered us a
very nice sermon reading it out of a book which some old gentleman has given him
and entreated him to deliver to us its contents.
Monday 6th August
18th day
Lat 18° = 17' N
Longt 25° = 35' W
Dist 152 miles
St Anlonio iland 63 miles S.S.E of us another warm day we are almost at a
standstill today.
Tuesday 7th August
19th day
Lat 16° = 17' N
Longt 26° = 36' W
Dist 126 miles
another very warm day it is so warm now we are gowing about nearly nakid, we get
the wind here oftenst at night.
Wednesday 8th August
20th day
Lat 13° = 49' N
Longt 26° = 48' W
Dist 148 miles
This is the first wet day we have had it has rained nearly all day.
Thursday 9th August
21st day
Lat 12° = 31' N
Longt 26° = 3' W
Dist 89 miles
another extra warm day, our ship is a splendid sailor because every sail that
appear in sight although it is on the same line as ourselves we pas it long
before night, today we passes 3 barks and met another 2 we are now 2 days past
the sun.
Friday 10th August
22nd day
Lat 8° = 38' N
Longt 26° = 22' W
Dist 234 miles
another good day with a strong head wind blowing.
Satturday 11th August
23rd day
Lat 5° = 57' N
Longt 23° = 50' W
Dist 220 miles
Course S.43°E
this has been a very exciting day, the wind has been very strong and although it
has been coming ahead of us our ship dashed through the water at a furious speed
i have often looked at the picture of a ship in a storm and wished to be an eye
witness to one, but i
compleatly fail in describing to you the seenery this day has displayed
i have lain over the side of the ship the whole day watching the great waves
come rolling on as if they would go right over us, but our ship would rise with
the greatest ease on the top to them, and then plunge into the great Gulf below
dashing the water from her boughs about the height of herself above us, i wish i
could explain to you this sight as i have witnessed it, but my aunt will be able
to picture it out, better than i can describe it to you.
Sunday 12th August
24th day
Lat 4° = 7' N
Longt 20° = 21' W
Dist 238 miles
Course S.62°E
Another warm day we had a sermon at 10=30 am in the english form from the doctor
the day passed very pleasantly.
Monday 13th August
25th day
Lat 2° = 58' N
Longt 22° = 35' W
Dist 151 miles
Course S.63°W
This has been a beautiful day and during the day i had the pleasure of seeing a
good sized Whale, about 10 yeards from where i was sitting it came to the
surface of the water with a great snore and then sunk into the water again, at
11=20 Oclock tonight Maggie
gave birth to a son i
acompanied her to the stair leading to the hospital at half past 10 pm and about
a quarter from 12 pm the chief mate despatched a message informing me of what
had taken place we are only one days sail from the line if he is spared he can
boast of being born this near the centre of the world.
Tuesday 14th August
26th day
Lat 0° = 45' N
Longt 25° = 42' W
Dist 229 miles
Course S.54°W
another extra warm day we expect to cross the line tonight Maggie and child are
both well.
Wednesday 15th August
27th
day
Lat 2° = 2' S
Longt 28° = 5' W
Dist 220 miles
Course S.41°W
This has been a very hot day we would suffer a great deal with the heat but
since we come into the tropics we have had a good wind blowing nearly every day,
it is very rare to have such winds here, the captain says in all his 33 years
experience he does not remember ever having such a good passage this distance.
Thirsday 16th August
28th day
Lat 4° = 54' S
Longt 29° = 16' W
Dist 185 miles
Course S.22°W
This has been an extra warm day we met a small schooner named the Ida She was
homeward bound and come very close, both spok to each other.
Friday 17th August 29th day
Lat 8 = 7' S
Longt 30 = 8' W Distance 201 miles
The weather here is beautiful i have felt it warmer at home but this is owing to
the strong wind we have had, today we sited an american ship, named the alert,
it was so far before us in the morning we could only see the top of her mast,
and in the middle of the day we came alongside of her and for a short time both
ships kept abreast, signals passed between them, then our ship shot past and
when night came on we were nearly out of sight and at night we were greatly
amused by the sailors selling their dead horse, this means they all get a months
pay in advance before sailing and spend it, it is at the end of the first month
they sell the dead horse, they all drag it round the deck with a rope, one of
them sings a song while all the rest joins in with the chorus, it was sold for
26 shillings at auction, then it was hired up on one of the spars with the rider
on its back who climbed on to the spare before it was droped into the water,
while this was going on at the stern there was a cask of tar slung over the
bough and set on fire, horse and cask were droped into the water at the same
time, we watched the burning cask rising at intervals on the top of the waves
for a long time.
Week No. 4
Saturday 18th August 30th day
Lat 11 = 14' S
Longt 31 = 24' W Dist 201 miles
another beautifull day and in the afternoon Maggie left the hospitle and came
home, both her and the child are doing well.
Sunday 19th August 31st day
Lat 14 = 15' S
Longt 31 = 34' W Dist 181 miles Course S.3 W
another good day, the evening was very squallie.
Monday 20th August 32nd day
Lat 18 = 1' S
Longt 31 = 8' W Dist 228 miles
Trinidad Id S.E. by E. dist. 178 miles. another good day but the evening was
very squallie and wet.
Tuesday 21st August 33rd day
Lat 20 = 35' S
Longt 29 = 36' W Dist 178 miles
Another beautiful day, in the morning there was a great rush to get upon deck,
the captain having told some there was land in sight, an unpracticed eye to look
at it would have taken it for a cloud, it was so far away, but about the middle
of the day we came right opposit to it. It was the iland of Trinidad which is a
great mass of rock and stands a good height out of the water preseting a very
beautiful sight this is the first we have seen since we left the English
Channel, in the evening it was nearly out of sight.
Wednesday 22nd August 34th day
Lat 22 = 40' S
Longt 28 = 25' W Dist 140 miles
Another very warm day.
Thursday 23rd August 35th day
Lat 23 = 33' S
Longt 28 = 10' W Dist 56 miles
During last night and today there has scarcely been a waft of wind our ship has
lain the whole day rolling about on the swell of the water making it very
difficult to walk, Charles has given us a good deal of trouble watching him,
because he is either climbing up the ropes or the side of the ship, today he was
climbing up the rigging on the main mast and fel upon the deck bruising his head
and bleeding he nose which has swelled both of his eyes so much you would
scarcely know him. In the morning I had the pleasure of seeing 2 sharks.
Friday 24th August 36th day
Lat 27 = 0' S
Longt 29 = 16' W Dist 126 miles
Another beautiful day. Week No 5
Saturday 25th Augst 37th day
Lat 27 = 0' S
Longt 29 = 14' Dist 98 miles
Another good day, and in the evening another Woman gave birth to a daughter this
is the 3rd birth in the ship since we started.
Sunday 26th August 38th day
Lat 29 = 15' S
Longt 28 = 56' W Dist 136 miles
Another good day.
Monday 27th August 39th day
Lat 31 = 16' S
Longt 26 = 14' W Dist 185 miles
This has been a very pleasant day but in the evening we were caught suddenly in
a very severe squall, I will try to explaine it to you in a few words, i was
lying on the side of the ship delighted with the speed she was going at, when
all in a sudden the rain came down upon us in torrents, the wind that came along
with it was something terrible, the wind changed so quick it carried away one of
our sails before they had time to recover the ship, the captain hearing the roar
of the useless sail in the wind rushed out of his cabin and up to the poop
followed by the 2nd mate with nothing but his shirt and drawers on, who rushed
to the wheel and brought her up to the wind, meanwhile the captain was balling
at the top of his voice to bring all the watch on deck, and in an instant the
sailors riushed along the deck and in a shorter time than i can tell you they
were all divided along the deck to the different sails i joined in with them
along with a few more of the passangers and wrought until it was late, it was
pitch dark all the time and to see the sailors obey every command so quick in
the dark it was realy astonishing, and
as for the captain I never heard such a swearing fearles man,
the plunging and lurching of the ship was something fearful while the water
rushed over on deck in tons, after the most of the sails were hauled in i went
down below both wet and tired, we could not sleep much all night the sea was so
rough. it has been like summer till tonight.
Tuesday 28th August 40th day
Lat 32 = 45' S
Longt 21 = 37' W Dist 252 miles
On getting up this morning we found the sea to be running very high, about the
middle of the day we encountered another squall but not so sudden as the last,
the sea continued very rough all day and the sails were taken in again as night
came on and wind was increasing rapidly, it has been very cold all day.
Wednesday 29th August 41st day
Lat 33 = 18' S
Longt 18 = 47' W Dist 196 miles
This has been a cold wet squallie day, at times today we have been runing at the
rate of 10 to 12 notes an hour, and in about 5 or 10 minutes later we will be
lying rolling about in the trough of the waves without any wind, today we went
past the ship Carlyle Castle. this has been a quick change out of summer into
winter.
Thursday 30th August 42nd day
Lat 32 = 34' S
Longt 14 = 18' W Dist 182 miles
Today has been much about the same as yesterday.
Friday 31st August 43rd day
Lat 33 = 13' S
Longt 10 = 30' W Dist 196 miles
it has been a little warmer today and in the afternoon the doctor caught an
albitrose, it measures 7 ft from tip to tip of the wing. this is a small one
they are caught with a strong hook and a strong deep sea line. Week No. 6
thickness of hook 1/8 of a inch
Saturday 1st September 44th day
Lat 33 = 30' S
Longt 7 = 12' W Dist 168 miles
Another cold day.
Sunday 2nd September 45th day
Lat 34 = 36' S
Longt 3 = 52' W Dist 178 miles
the sea has been very rough all day and the air very cold.
Monday 3rd September 46th day
Lat 36 = 32' S
Longt 0 = 7' E Dist 232 miles
Last night the sea became very rough which caused the sea to roll tremendously I
was on watch from 12 to 4 and it was realy amusing to hear the music of pails
teapots and all kinds of tins rolling about between decks and every now and
again there was some of the passangers crawling out of their bunks and making
there way up on deck to see what was wrong and during the day the sea continued
to run higher and often it came over in tons and one young man was dashed from
one side of the ship to the other and received a deep gash on one of his legs,
there has been some heavy showers of hail today.
Tuesday 4th September 47th day
Lat 38 = 30' S
Longt 5 = 18' E Dist 275 miles
Last night we slept very little as the ship was rolling so much, I have often
thought it was exageration about the sea running mountains high, but today we
have seen it running mountains high, I have been on the forcastle a few times
today enjoying the seenery this day has presented, it was beautiful to stand
there and see the great mountains come rolling on behind us as if they would go
right over us, but our ship would rise to the top of them like a feather, and as
the waves would come along t midships it often came rshing over in great
quantities then it was beautiful to see how quick her stern would decend into
the great depth below then another would come and her stern rise leaving the
bough in the great depth of water, and look up to the great mountain before and
behind it was something frightful, and to stand where i was and see her sway
from one side to the other and roll over on her side until the water would come
over it was realy exciting, it was beautiful to look over the boiling sea every
time we came to the top of a wave, my Dear Uncle and Aunt i wish i could give a
real account of this scenery, i lead Maggie up to the forecastle to view the
scenery, she had to keep a good hold the railing but was delighted with the
scenery before her, ropes had to be tied along the deck for us to hold on by,
one of the young girls was dashed against the side of the Ship and had one of
her legs severely injured, another man was sitting against the cabin on a box
when a sea came over washing both him and the box along the deck and carried the
box with it overboard, another heavy sea coming i thought to escape it by
climbing up the railing on the main mast but it came right over my head giving
me a thourough drenching. tow of our sails were carried away, at night the sea
stil continued to rage. rain and hail fel heavyly today.
Wednesday 5th September 48th day
Lat 39 = 51' S
Longt 10 = 33' E Dist 258 miles
The weather and sea today has been much about the same as yesterday.
Thursday 6th September 49th day
Lat 40 = 24' S
Longt 10 = 24' E Dist 270 miles
The sea has scarcly run so high today but rain and hail has fallen heavyly, now
and again we have shiped some heavy seas.
Friday 7th September 50th day
Lat 40 = 21' S
Longt 21 = 2' E Dist 213 miles
Another wet and cold day the sea has been milder today. Week No. 7
Saturday 8th September 51st day
Lat 39 = 23' S
Longt 22 = 2' E Dist 70 miles
This has been a better day.
Sunday 9th September 52nd day
Lat 38 = 13' S
Longt 24 = 18' E Dist 126 miles
Owing to the roughness of the weather there has been no service held today.
Monday 10th September 53rd day
Lat 40 = 28' S
Longt 25 = 10' E Dist 141 miles
Our ship has been plunging and roling greatly today owing to the roughness of
the weather.
Tuesday 11th September 54th day
Lat 42 = 24' S
Longt 26 = 32' E Dist 131 miles
Today our ship has been labouring in a heavy gale which increased in fury all
day, During the fornoon i was on deck holdingon by a rope next the cabin
watching all that was taking place, to stand there and look along the deck and
see the ship thrown upon one side and then another with such force and tons of
water roling over on deck every time and to see her plunge and rise so quick you
could compare her to nothing but a toy on such water, one man was throne with
great force against the side of the ship with his head and was carried to the
hospital incensible, about 1 Oclock i went below and was sitting waiting on
dinner when we heard a great noise below every time the ship rolled over and
upon opening the main hatch an
alarming sight apeared before us,
our ship is loaded with rails which is a very ugly cargoe, the rails had become
loose with the great roling of the ship, you can imaginge rails piled on the top
of each other until they form a level floor and nothing straping or jaming them
down and a shiproling over until her deck is almost perpendickular this had
thrown a great many of the top ones out of the place and you can imagine 4 or 5
divisions with about 40 or 50 tons of loose rails being dashed from staunchen to
staunchen and from staunchen to the sides of the ship making her shake all over,
for a moment she stoped rolling and the 3rd mate with some men went dwn to try
and jam them but were scarcely down when they came rushing up the hatch, and as
many deck planks as could be found were throne down acros them, then the captain
and the 1st, 2nd and 3rd mate with a lot of the sailors went down and got on top
of the planks and more wod was thrown down and flung into the great gaps as the
rails were dashed from side to side and a great many of the chests that were on
top of the loose rails fel into the gaps and were crushed to matchwod, this
lasted until late in the afternoon, and had it not been for the brave men below
who mannaged to a certain extent to jam and bind them down nothing could have
saved us from a watery grave as the rails would soon have burst the sides of the
ship, during the time this was going on a great deal of the rigging had got
strained and broken, and it was early morning before the storm abated in the
least and i can asure it was alarming to look down and see the destruction that
was going on below, and to look on the fact of anxious parents with their
children gathered round them and mothers weeping it was realy heart rendering
great fear and anxiety prevailed all over the ship until about 10pm when
everything was made prety secure, our first mate got his foot crushed and a
great many escaped a frightful death by climbing up the staunchions which were
bending to one side and then the other like a piece of wire although they were
about 4 inches thick, our 3rd mate remained below all night in case anything
might get loos again and it was nearly morning before anyone thought of sleep, our
Captain which i believe now to be a thourough ass
was going aout drunk shortly after the disaster comenced. p.s. you can picture
little Charles as happy as a king crying huray and his Mother sitting moaning.
our captain when asked to run the ship before the wind answered he would run her
to the south pole by god.
Click
to see a photograph of the diary entry which describes the storm which put the
ship into grave danger
Wednesday 12th September 55th day
Lat 43 = 23' S
Longt 27 = 26' E Dist 85 miles
Last night has been a sleepless night but it is not the first night we have had
to hold on by the sides of the bed to prevent ourselves from being rolled out,
the doctor has been confined to his bed all day through the anxiety of yesterday
and the heavy drenchings with rain and sea, a deputation was sent to him from
the passangers telling that the ship was not safe as the cargoe was still
threatning to break loos, and he sent 5 men to examin everything stating that if
the cargoe could not be secured he would run us into the nearest port and have
everything overhalled, an examination was made and everything done to secure the
cargoe and alow us to go direckt on our journey and after we had this done we
were alowed a good glass of grog, this a very cold day with heavy falls of rain
and hail, you may know what kind of a man the captain is when he was staggering
about today telling the passangers he would land us in townsville
or hell. the wind has
been with us today and the sea a little calmer.
Thursday 13th September 56th day
Lat 41 = 51' S
Long 32 = 35' E Dist 218 miles
The sea has been milder today but the weather is cold and wet, the cargoe is
stil keeping its place and we are gaining more confidence i have enjoyed the
sail and the sights of the sea all along no matter how high the sea was running
but i must confess the last 2 days rather shook my confidence and we thought it
was all up with us as the boats would not have held the half of us, i think it
is impossible that any one at home could give credit to a cargoe shifting in
such a frightful manner.
Friday 14th September 57th day
Lat 41 = 30' S
Longt 38 = 2' E Dist 245 miles
This has been a good day but very cold and wet, 4 men examine the cargo every
morning and every time the ship has been rolling heavily. Week No. 8
SATURDAY 15TH SEPTEMBER 58TH DAY
Lat 40 = 58' S
Longt 43 = 14' E Dist 268 miles
This has been a good day but cold today the main top gallant halyard was wrecked
twice but fortunately no person was hurt and the spar did not come down the
first mate told me today he never saw a cargoe put out to sea so badly packed.
SUNDAY 16TH SEPTEMBER 59TH DAY
Lat 40 = 58' S
Longt48 = 14' E Dist 193 miles
Another good day but very cold after the dangers of tuesday was past the 2nd
mate alowed it would have been better if we had been drowned on the Irish coast
where we would have a chance of being berried in ireland than come out all this
length and go down and never be heard of.
MONDAY 17TH SEPTEMBER 60TH DAY
Lat 41 = 53' S
Longt 52 = 20' E Dist 191 miles
The weather is getting warmer now this has been a good day.
TUESDAY 18TH SEPTEMBER 61ST DAY
Lat 42 = 9' S
Longt 57 = 40' E Dist 238 miles
Our ship has been going very steady today which has given us a chance of
removing the chests from the main hatch down the after hatch this was done to
let the cargo that shifted be thouroughly secured, it was pityful to look at the
passangers gathering up their clothes and other goods most of which were cut to
pieces and as for their chests a great many of them were broken into matchwood
some of them down into the gaps of the rails crushed into pieces, clothes and
all, others could only tecognise the tin lille that was on their chest, as for
mine my Grandmothers chest has got a good deal of abuse and my Mothers chest is
both split and dinged in the front, the
captain who is a drunken empty fool
told them he would not be responsible for any damage done and that he would not
give them a peny, the doctor who is a gentleman on hearing this told him that if
he should spend all he had he would see the passangers get justice, the captain
was foaming with rage at this but the doctor quietly told him that would do, the
cargoe was secured with all that could be got to secure it such as deck planks
and broken chests. this has been a good day.
WEDNESDAY 19TH SEPTEMBER 62ND DAY
Lat 41 = 41' S
Longt 63 = 45' E Dist 272 miles
This has been a beautiful day. the sun has been shining all day. Last night
Maggie became suddenly ill, the doctor was soon in attendance, today she is much
better.
THURSDAY 2OTH SEPTEMBER 63RD DAY
Lat 41 = 20' S
Longt 69 = 8' E Dist 246 miles
Another good day.
FRIDAY 21ST SEPTEMBER 64TH DAY
Lat 41 = 9' S
Longt 74 = 52' E Dist 260 miles
This has been another good day but chily. Week No.9.
SATURDAY 22ND SEPTEMBER 65TH DAY
Lat 41 = 14' S
Longt80 = 8' E Dist 236 miles
Another good day but cold Maggie had the pleasure of falling today from the head
of the stair to the foot of it, it is about 14 or 15 ft long, her hench was
slightly injured, this is her second fall down, the saturdays pas very quietly
here, 2 very large logs of wood floated past today.
SUNDAY 23RD SEPTEMBER 66TH DAY
Lat 41 = 3' S
Longt 82 = 54' E Dist 125 miles
Another good day, we have been lying becalmed nearly all day another large log
of wood floated past today
MONDAY 24TH SEPTEMBER 67TH DAY
Lat 41 = 28' S
Longt 82 = 1' E Dist 146 miles
Another good day, the wind has been very strong all day causing our ship to
plough along rapidly, sail had to be taken in during the night owing to the
increase of wind and some of the rigging giving away.
TUESDAY 25TH SEPTEMBER 68TH DAY
Lat 42 = 30 S
Longt 93 = 2' E Dist 318 miles
It has been very cold today and rain has fallen heavily all day, at 12 am our
ship was running at the rate of 12 noats an hour, she has been shipping seas all
day.
WEDNESDAY 26TH SEPTEMBER 69TH DAY
Lat 42 = 56' S
Longt 98 = 10' E Dist 227 miles
From 12 oclock to 4 this morning we were laying becalmed and our ship was laying
in the trough of the waves all the time rolling so furiously that a great many
of the passangers got up and went on deck to see what was wrong, great fear
existed mong most of the passangers whenever the ship rolls heavily, it has been
very cold all day.
THURSDAY 27TH SEPTEMBER 70TH DAY
Lat 43 = 23' S
Longt 103 = = 40' E Dist 242 miles
This has been a good day and for a sjort time in the middle of the day we were
becalmed again, there is a great beating on now about the time the ship will
take before landing us.
FRIDAY 28TH SEPTEMBER 71ST DAY
Lat 43 = 40' S
Longt 108 = 57' E Dist 231 miles
Another good day and we are in great spirits now the hope that a fortnight or
seventeen days will land us, while Maggie was busily engaged washing on deck
today the ship gave a sudden lurch and emptied a bineful of water right over
amidst the great laughter of all around, this is a common ocurance on deck. 10th
Week.
SATURDAY 29TH SEPTEMBER 72ND DAY
Lat 43 = 5' S
Longt114 = 36' E Dist 246 miles
This has been a dull cold day, at present 6 children are in the hospital with
measals.
SUNDAY 30TH SEPTEMBER 73RD DAY
Lat 44 = 6' S
Longt 121 = 10' E Dist 283 miles
This has been a good day but cold, measels are still spreading amongst the
children,
MONDAY 1ST OCTOBER 74TH DAY
Lat 44 = 16' S
Longt 128 = 25' E Dist 316 miles
Another very cold day, the ship has been runnig steadily all day.12 notes an
hour great beating goes on every day about the 24 hours distance and also about
the time it will take before we are landed, the measels are spreading rapidly
some more of the children have been taken to the hospital today, 3 of them from
the beds next to ours.
TUESDAY 2ND OCTOBER 75TH DAY
Lat 44 = 0' S
Longt 133 = 59' E Dist 240 miles
Another cold day, our progress has been very slow all day.
WEDNESDAY 3RD OCTOBER 76TH DAY
Lat 43 = 47' S
Longt 137 = 6' E Dist 135 miles
This has been a good day.
THURSDAY 4TH OCTOBER 77TH DAY
Lat 44 = 2' S
Longt 142 = 22 E Dist 228 miles
Another good day and we are anxiously expecting to sight tasmania in the
morning,
FRIDAY 5TH OCTOBER 78TH DAY
Lat 43 = 42' S
Longt 147 = 30' E Dist 228 miles
This has been both a good and chearful day for us, as daylight broke out this
morning the long looked for sight of land appeared on our port side, at first it
looked like a cloud upon the waters edge but between 9 and 10 am we came nearer
to the southmost point of land, by this time the sun was up and the clouds
cleared away from the top of the hills some of them which were very high were
covered on the top with snow we also passed very close to two rocks one of them
was about half the size of ails of craig the other was a very narrow one they
were both surrounded with other rocks under the water and it was a beautiful
sight to see the waves which were running very high at the time dashing of the
under ones and raising to a great height against the ones that were in sight
this is the first land we have sighted since we passed the iland of trinidade
and i can assure you it was glorious sight for us to look at we were going to
pass very close to it but the wind went down and we drifted so far out to sea
for about 3 hours we thought we were going to loose sight of it altogether when
all of a sudden the sea changed from a beautiful calm into a one of heavy
boiling waves and the wind came howling furiously through the rigging, the
change was very sudden and our ship answered to it in splendid stile at first
she plunged a good deal this caused the masts and spars to rattle and make a
good deal of noise but the sails were soon brought to suit the wind and away we
went on our course again, when night came we were a good deal nearer the land
again and as we were passing along we saw 2 very large lights, this had the
efect of gathering a great crowd to see them, I heard someone saying thank god
there is somebody not far away. in the morning birth of a daughter, 4th child.
11th week
SATURDAY 6TH OCTOBER 79TH DAY
Lat 42 = 32' S
Longt 149 = 42' E Dist 120 miles
Another good day, one of the children in the hospital with measels died this
evening through croop setting in.
SUNDAY 7TH OCTOBER 80TH DAY
Lat 38 = 32' S
Longt 152 = 20' E Dist 268 miles
At 7 o'clock this morning the funeral took place and a very solemn thing it was
the childs body being sewed up on a piece of canvice with a weight to the feet
was placed on the end of a board the funeral service was read and the endof the
board was raised and the child sliped into the water and imeadiatly sunk, this
was at the end of the poop, this has been a good day and we had the pleasure of
seeing a beautiful water spout it was a good distance away but it was a splendid
sight to see the great volume of water raised up into the clouds.
MONDAY 7TH OCTOBER 81ST DAY
Lat 35 = 32' S
Longt 153 = 40' E Dist 191 miles
This has been a beautiful day, we have been becalmed nearly all day great
preperations are being made now cleaning both inside and outside the ship before
landing.
TUESDAY 9TH OCTOBER 82ND DAY
Lat 34 = 59' S
Longt 154 = 19' E Dist 46 miles
Another warm day and we have been becalmed nearly all day with the exception 2
hours we had a good breeze which died away again but in the evening it sprung up
and continued steadily all night, 2 very large Albitrosses were caught during
the day one of them measured 10ft 3 in from tip to tip of the wings the other 10
ft, they were both beautiful birds.
WEDNESDAY 10TH OCTOBER .83RD DAY
Lat 32 = 59' S
Longt 154 = 58' E Dist 194 miles
It has been very showry today, since we left home we have seen some beautiful
scenerys in the sky more especially when we were crossing the line as the sun
was setting and since we have come into australian waters, it is no use for me
to atempt to describe to you the beauty of those scenes because it is entirely
out of my power. little Charles has improved greatly and is no read cheeked he
has scarcely ever been out of mischeaf all the journey, it is laughable to see
him with some more children pulling at the ropes and singing fare you well my
bonnie young girl we're bound for rhyo grand, he has got a line of nearly every
chorus of the songs the sailors sings when pulling at the ropes him and the
second mate are always good friends and the doctor andcaptain say he is the
plainest little Scotchman they ever heard talk.
THURSDAY 11TH OCTOBER 84TH DAY
Lat 29 = 3' S
Longt 154 = 58' E Dist 194 miles
It has been very warm all day.
FRIDAY 12TH OCTOBER 85TH DAY
Lat 27 = 40' S
Longt 154 = 58' E Dist 83 miles
The weather is getting very warm now, this has been a very hot day, in the
evening another gave birth to a son this is 2 boys and 3 girls, the doctor
veccinated our baby and another 3. 12th week.
SATURDAY 13TH OCTOBER 86TH DAY
Lat 27 = 25' S
Longt 154 = 5' E Dist 43 miles
Another warm day, we have been in sight of Stradbroke and Moreton Islands all
day beating against a head wind and in the afternoon we came within a few miles
of the Moreton Island and had to put about ship and come direckt back again for
about 3 hours by htis time the wind had come round a very little and the ship
was put about again this time we got cleare of the point we tried before to
cleare but it was 12 oclock at night when we got oposite the lighthouse.
SUNDAY 14TH OCTOBER 87TH DAY
Lat 26 = 10' S
Longt 153 = 30 ' E Dist 80 miles
This has been a very warm day and the wind is still ahead of us alowing us only
to crawl along the side of double point Island and great Sandy Island and in the
evening we tried to get round Sandy cape but the wind was to much ahead of us
and we were to close to the land the ship had to be put about and go away out to
sea. all along the coast their was nothing to be seen but a forest of trees and
every hear and there great columns of smoke this was what you have often heard
of the burning of the bush at night the fires could be seen all along the coast.
MONDAY 15TH OCTOBER 88TH DAY
Lat 25 = 48' S
Longt 153 = 59' E Dist 32 miles
Another warm day and the wind is still ahead of us, the doctor sent a bottle of
sherrie wine and 2 pounds of flour and 1 half pound of currants to Maggie and
the rest of the Mothers that gave birth on the ship, he is very ill himself at
present with a poisned hand it has now been lanced 3 times he is very ancious
now to get ashore as he is afraid he will lose the hand and perhaps the arm he
cannot sleep night or day..
TUESDAY 16TH OCTOBER 89TH DAY
Lat 25 = 22' S
Longt 154 = 42' E Dist 47 miles
another very warm day and the wind is still coming ahead of us.
WEDNESDAY 17TH OCTOBER 90TH DAY
Lat 24 = 53' S
Longt 154 = 32' E 30 miles
We have been lying becalmed all day and the sun has been burning hot the water
was like a sheet of glass and between 11 and 12 oclock a few of the sailors and
passangers dived from the ship into the water and had a good bath i was very
uneasy all the time they were in for feare of sharks and the doctor told them he
would not be responsible for anyone that went in as there were a great many
sharks about, they were only a short time out when a shark made its appearance
and some of the sailors got a large hook and a good strong rope, they put a lump
of pork on the hook and lowred it into the water and the shark soon as he got
his eye upon it turned over and swallowed it the word was soon passed pull away
boys and it was hauled up out of the water them some of the sailors got out over
the side and put a hitch with another rope on the tail and ripped its belly open
with their knife then it was got over on to the deck of the forecastle and was
feled with an axe it was slung up and a great quantity of port taken out of it
also 2 young sharks they were put into a tub and swam about, i think the captain
intends to preseve one of them, and after the inside and young sharks was taken
out of it some of them had a rope in its mouth holding it open while others were
pouking out its teeth it was still living and shut its mouth and cut the fingers
of one of the men very severely it was all cut into pieces and thrown over board
it has two rows of teeth top and bottom and was about 6 feet long, some more
were seen,the wind commenced to blow about 8pm a good deal better in our favour
than it has been for some time.
SATURDAY 20TH OCTOBER 93RD DAY
Lat 21 = 42' S
Longt 150 = 57' E Dist 152 miles
Another very warm day and we are now between the reef and the Ilands that are
all along the coast some of them we have a good view of.
SUNDAY 21ST OCTOBER 94 TH DAY
Lat 20 = 28' S
Longt 149 = 22' E Dist 114 miles
Another very warm day and at a quarter to 6 oclock this morning a little girl
died about 3 and 1/2 years of age the doctor want tell in the meantime what was
her trouble she was berried at 9 this morning and shortly after the funeral
another little boy was brought on deck for air and layed in a sling bed and at
10 oclock as i was passing
i saw
him die his poor mother fell back into my arms in a faint
i carried over to the cabin and set her down, water was soon got and she
recovered and about an hour after its funeral took place also i stood and saw
them both fall into the water and i can assure you it is a pitiable sight to
look at here, and in the evening another little girl died about 9 oclock, it is
to be berried in the morning, we have passed the day watching the ilandsas we
pass and yesterday and today we have seen a graet many sneaks float past.
MONDAY 22 ND OCTOBER 95TH DAY
Lat 19 = 34' S
Longt 149 = 2' E Dist 92 miles
Another warm day and another little girl died this morning, both it and the one
that died last night were berried about 7 oclock in the morning both were droped
of the plank at once. Pilote come on at 10 am ancor droped at half past 11,
lying in the bay 1 day.
SS
Eastern Monarch at anchor
TUESDAY 23RD OCTOBER 96TH DAY
Cleveland bay, last night we did not sleep much as we were up every now and
again looking for the lighthouse on cleveland cape sail was shortened so that
would enter the bay in daylight, one of the single women about 16 years of age
died this morning with fever and about 10 am a pilate with 4 men rowing came out
and met usin the bay the first question he asked was if we had any distress on
board the doctors answer was fever and chicken pox and as soon as the pilate
steped on the ladder he ordered the men to cleare of and report our case, and
about half past 11 the anchor was droped, i saw it raised when we were leaving
greenock and i was on the forecastle this morning and saw it drop into the water
it draged for a good bit and then it brought us to a stop and the ship swung
round. and in the middle of the day the young womans corpse were taken in a boat
to the Magnetic Iland and burried there the 2nd mate was in command, in the
afternoon a small steamer came out to us with a doctor and several other on
board also plenty of fresh beef and vegetables and potatoes they also handed us
a few newspapers in which we saw the assination of carrey the informer, in the
evening a small yaught came out and flung a rope up to us but they were
immeadietly ordered away the pilate shouted if they came back he would put them
in quarrantine, any letter that the little steamer took away had to be fumigated
and at night it was cheary to see all the light s of the town, we are about 6
miles out from the shore. We are fully a week earliere than we were expected,
the pilot says we have made the quickest passage that has been made to
townsville.
WEDNESDAY 24 TH OCTOBER 97TH DAY
[2 DAYS]
This morning a little boy died 2 years of age, and in the afternoon another
little girl dies 3 and a half years of age, we had plenty of fresh meat sent to
us today again but it is not decided if we are to be kept in quarrantine,
the the little
boy was taken to the iland and burried
but it was to late when the girl died to take her away and about 10 pm her
little sister died. She was about 19 months of age they were the only children
their parents gad, and it was heart rending to see them.
"The little
boy" was James Dryden, a victim of measles, whose gravestone still exists
on Magnetic Island. (Note that the date on the gravestone should read 24th
October, not 22nd October.)
Photo: James Walker
THURSDAY 25TH OCTOBER 98TH DAY [3
DAYS]
Another little girl dies this morning and was placed in a little box by its self
and the other two sisters that died yesterday were placed in the one box, they
were all taken this morning at 7 oclock to the Magnetic Iland burried there.
Today the doctor got a testimonial in writing from us expressing our heartfelt
thanks to him for his goodness and self sacrifice for us.
FRIDAY 26TH OCTOBER 99TH DAY [4
DAYS]
Another little boy named Charles died this morning about 2 am. and about 7 am he
was taken to the Il and burried, the day has been very hot and in the evening we
had a regular mutiny on board, some of the sailors had come off for tobaco and
amongst them was the one which caused the disturbance at the beginning of our
journey this is the 3rd time he has been in trouble since the voyage commenced,
while they were waiting on the tobaco they had been talking up to the girls on
the poop when two of the officers came down the stairs and ordered them to their
work, this fellow i hear gave them back some insolence and upon this the chief
mate drew his hand and struck him, the sailor imeadiatly knocked the first mate
down and gave him a very sore face the
fourth mate rushed into the cabin shouting to Captain there was a mutiny on
board and as
soon as he came out he attempted to put the sailor in irons i hear he knocked
the Captain down also laterly he broke away with the rest of the sailors, the
captain then rushed into his cabin and came out again with his revolver swearing
he would shoot him if he would not go in irons, our good doctor tried to
persuade him to try and put down the disturbance without the use of firearms and
not alarm all the passangers and so many ill, the captain was like a wild man
and told the doctor this fellow had been causing trouble all the voyage and now
he had knocked down his first mate and himself and at this time two of the
captains men came forward and pointed out the doctors asistant at my side who
has the name of underhandwork they told the captain this man had been the the
cause of all the disturbance that had been going about trying to put into
everybobys head that the captain was no sailor that he had no certificatyes and
that he did not bring us here and that he had to stop a testimonial some of the
passangers were geting up for the captain and officers upon hearing this the
captain raised his revolver so close to my face that i had to hold it back,
he placed it to the mans head and shouted you vilain i've a good mind to shoot
you, the
captain is childish and goes on like a madman
and he has done a lot to anoy the doctor, but through out all this the doctor
has always advised him for his good, and between the doctor and the pilot he was
advised to leave all in the pilots hands the pilot then cooly walked forward to
the forecastle and the sailor came quietly aft along with him and after some
delay he alowed the hand cufs to be put on them all the sailors were called aft
and asked if they would go to their work some of them refused to work but the
rest bent to their work and the police flag was to the main mast, but after a
little i am told that the chief mate went to the sailor and apoligised for
striking him he was then let go, and in the evening the captain was presented
with a testimonial in writing for himself and officers expressing their thanks
of the passangers for the good passage and libertys we were alowed, he then
commenced to give us a great speech which was very often the one thing over
again, he commenced about this sailor telling him to day that he had been drunk
ever since we left glasgow, he has always been down upon the doctor since ever
the sails shifted because the doctor caused every thing to be made secure before
leaving it for the safety of the passangers, when the captain came down that
afternoon prety much the worse of drink and ordered the hatch to be closed and
the cargoe stil shifting, and also because the doctor told him the ships company
would require to pay for all the bagage destroyed belonging to the emigrants as
the cargoe was not properly stoed, i mention this here to let you know the
reason the captain is so ill at the doctor, so in the middle of his speech he
comenced about the doctor saying the doctor and him were of varience, the doctor
hapined to be passing at the time and heard him, he stoped and told the captain
that this was not true and that he had always trie to advise him for his good,
the captain tried then to abuse the doctor with his toung, but the passangers
hised and would not alow him and the doctor went away, itis impossible i could
give you the details of all that was said but it was realy amusing latterly the
captain closed his speech with thanks and went away, the townsville paper
reported about the testimonial to the doctor for his kindness to us throughout
the voyage and for his atention to duty when sufering with long and severe
ilness himself, he has always been kind and ready to attend to us at any time
either day or night.
SATURDAY 27TH OCTOBER (5TH DAY)
The Government have placed tents on
magnetic iland for all the sick and those that had fever, chicken pox and
measels to be kept in quarrentine until the trouble is all cleared away, the
rest of us it has been decided are to be taken to the depot on rose iland and
everything fumigated, there was a good deal more than a hundred people taken to
the iland this morning and it could scarcely be said that one of them was
bedfast they were all composed of parents and their familys the greater number
of them having had no trouble at all, it seems that the whole of the town is in
an uproar against alowing us to come into the town without going into
quarrentine, just as the doctor was preparing to go to the iland along with the
rest he was handed a letter from home teling him his mother was dead and it was
heartrending to see him standing with his hand trembling in a sling weeping over
his sad loss.
SUNDAY 28TH OCTOBER (6TH DAY)
The baby that was last born on the ship and was named for the captain died this
morning on the iland, and the government doctor for townsville went to the iland
and put our own doctor in cloriform and operated on his hand he is very weak and
is scarcely expected to recover. The chests of those on the iland were sent over
today.
SUNDAY 4TH NOVEMBER
MAGNETIC ILAND
The arrival of our ship in this bay, and the report of the disease on board has
caused the inhabitants of townsville such fear and alarm that they have had
great meetings which has resulted in puting
us all in quarrentine,
and on Wednesday last we were all taken in the small boats and landed on the
iland, i then went and got a tent and wood to erect it with, i then set to work
and erected it near to the water, we are sent plenty of good food, and you can
picture us out in our tents like a lot of tincklets and our food being cooked on
a fire on the ground, there is one black man on the iland he has 4 wives and
some children and it is a sight to see the whole of them sitting with an old
black pipe in their mouth smoking, this is a wild looking place with great hills
covered from head to foot with stones the half size of the Eastern Monarch and
the trees growing out from between them, i have walked over a good bit of the
iland and i
have seen a good many coketoes and other beautiful birds but no monkeys,
there is one White man and his family lives on the iland i hear he has bought it
he has a large garden but it is wild like, compaired our gardens at home he has
also a rough got up house and a great many goats and hens, you will see by the
description i have tried to give you of all that has taken place that we have
had to rough it a good bit, but we are just taking quietly hoping it will turn
out all for the best it is very warm here, 3 of the crew escaped in the
nighttime in one of the baots but they have been caught, about one oclock
yesterday morning i was wakened up by the 3rd mate coming to the entrance of the
tent asking for a board i had it was to make a cofin with it for a child that
had died during the night, i got up and gave him the one i was lying on.
TOWNSVILLE
SUNDAY 11TH NOVEMBER
Last Monday the 5th the greatest number of us were taken from the magnetic iland
to the depot on ross iland, ross iland is divided from townsville by a small
creek, the depot is a deplorable place to live in the woman and children get a
mattress to ly upon the flore but the men married and single have to ly in
another place on the bare flore or out on the beach, it is very hot here all day
but at night it is very cool a great many of the emigrants have gone inland away
into the bush and some have gone further north, there is not much work to be got
here in townville unless with carpenters they are very busy, the town has a
prety fair appearance but as far as you can see from the town there is nothing
but dry and burned hills with the sun.
TOWNSVILLE
SATURDAY 17TH NOVEMBER
i have been working in the foundry here all week at the greensand but today i
got the chance a pass from townsville to brisbane and from brisbane to
Maryborough i had only a short time to make up my mind but i embraced the
opertunity and packed up and of we set and the rain coming down upon us in
torrents.
BRISBANE
21ST NOVEMBER
we arrived here this afternoon
BRISBANE
22ND NOVEMBER
i tried all the foundries today but they were all slack we then took the boat
for maryborough in the afternoon and arrived in Maryborough on the 23rd Nov.
there is to foundrys here but they were slack also, and on Saturday 24th of Nov
in the afternoon we took the train for Gympie where Maggies Uncle and Aunt lives
i intended to wait in Maryborough and let her and the children go to her aunts
themselves but she would not go unless i would go with her, and more so because
i had my hand poisned and was suffering very much and it was just as well i did
go because her uncle and aunt received us with great kindnes and doctored my
hand and by the middle of the week it brook and then i began to get relief, i
may state here that during the time we were lying in quarantine we wrote to
Maggies aunt telling her where we were and she wrote back by return telling us
that she had got a letter from home telling her that one of the daughters of her
brother Tom was on her way out to Queensland along with her husband but they did
not tell her the name of the ship nor the port we were bound for, so that she
said she was just going to advertise for us when she got our letter, she told us
that brisbane or Maryborough would be the best place for my work but she hoped
we would come to the latter and pay them a visit as we were the first friends
that had come to the colony since she had come and that was 21 years ago, we
were treated with every kindness and while looking through some glasgow weekly
mails that had just come i saw where my brother matthew had been enquiring about
our ship i think he was answered on the 27th sept
On the 30th November i left Gympie myself for Maryborough and started in one of the foundrys on the 3 dec at the greensand.
© Copyright Jim Fleming 2002.
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