To Auckland by the Ganges by Robert M. Grogans

Author:Robert M. Grogans
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Whittles Publishing

Chief Cabin

19

Second Cabin

48

Enclosed Steerage

61

Open Steerage (married)

33

Single Women

13

Single Men

54

Total

228

These 228 have been thrown together from various parts of England, Ireland, and Scotland, with two from Jersey, and one from the Isle of Man. Many of the English counties were represented amongst us. I know of Middlesex (of course), Kent, Essex, Lincolnshire, Devon, Wiltshire, Lancashire, Yorkshire, Warwickshire, Gloucester, Somerset, Shropshire, Herefordshire, and Wales.

I think our Irish were principally from Ulster, though we have a few from Dublin. And turning to Scotland, the great majority hailed from Lanarkshire and Renfrewshire, but Dumbarton, Ayrshire, Argyll, Edinburgh, Perth, Aberdeen, Stirling, Forfar, and Kincardine counties, with the Island of Coll, were also represented.

Among our crew we have denizens of Guernsey, Germany, Denmark, Canada, United States, Sweden, and Holland; but fully two-thirds are British.

The Guernsey men served aboard H.M.S. Hero, 90 guns, which has been in the Clyde, and, conveyed the Prince of Wales to and from America in 1860, though if his Royal Highness could have dispensed with his rank, he would have been more comfortable in the Persia steamship, as he had a very tedious return voyage in the Hero, which was accompanied by the Ariadne screw frigate.

On that occasion Commodore Maury,17 of U.S. Navy, but now with his gallant compatriots the Confederates, and distinguished for his nautical and meteorological science, was consulted on the part of Her Majesty. He gave what proved to be the correct causes for the detention of His Royal Highness on the deep.

Another of our sailors, long old Jacob, a Dane, served on board the Royal Albert, 121 guns, in the Black Sea during the Crimean War. I recollected having viewed that vessel on the stocks at Woolwich, in 1849, when it was considered the largest ship in the world; but its dimensions had since been eclipsed, by the Great Eastern.18 The Royal Albert had the reputation of being laboursome in a lively sea.

The wind strengthened during the course of the day, and the ship ran beautifully along under most of her square sails, including fore and main royals, with studding-sails, cross-jack, and trysail. After dinner, a sea struck us on the starboard or weather beam, and sent such a cloud of foam along her quarter; but we shipped nothing but spray, as we were light and high out of the water. The order was immediately given to take in the royals and trim the after-yards. The wind continued to rise, and additional sail had to be taken in. The chain of the main topgallant sail snapped during the evening, but the sheet was soon set again.

At night it became more quiet, and, at half past eight, we were seated most comfortably in the saloon, Tom Sutton sat among the ladies, with my little Sally, who was an especial favourite with him, at his side, and peals of laughter echoed around the table as he amused his audience.

Latitude 40° 26’ S., longitude 96° 32’ E. We have run no less than 1,627 miles during the last week.

13 September, Sunday –

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