Friday, August 9, 2013

25 September 1859

25 - The pilot again came on board in the forenoon, and after the anchor was raised the ship was got farther into the harbour, and moored opposite the town, a short distance from the wharf.
The town of Auckland has a remarkably fine appearance, and presents a striking resemblance to some of the best watering-places on the Clyde. Being busy writing, in order to catch the mail, which leaves tomorrow forenoon, I have not had time to go on shore and take a nearer view of it; but some parties who have been report very favourably of it; and, to show the greatest difference between the climate at home and this, I may mention that they regaled themselves with a green gooseberry tart.
The scenery in the bay is really splendid, and the sunrises and sunsets I have seen in it appear to me unsurpassed even by the finest seen in the tropics. Our destination is in the meantime Wellington; and, as we shall have a few days here, I epxect to be able to see something of the country before leaving it.
The Tornado had on board 247 passengers besides the crew. Of livestock there was 30 sheep, 20 pigs, and 5000 fowls for the use of the first cabin; there was also a cow on board, and, belonging to the various passengers, there were a Leister ram and three ewes; two goats, one of which died on the passage; four or five dogs; a couple of bantams, of which the hen died from the effects of the cold; a canary, and a pair of larks, but the latter, I am sorry to say, died from the effects of the heat.
Our Voyage to New Zealand Per the Tornado (by a Glasgow Emigrant) Glasgow Herald December 19, 1859


Sept 25th. A very beautiful morning. We lay at anchor until noon when we made our way with wind and tide towards the pier. We had many visitors come on board us amongst whom was an Emigration agent to see if we were healthy and fit to be landed among them. He took account of our numbers, names and trades. We learned that the mail closed on Monday at 11 o'clock so we sat down in the midst of the bustle to write our first letter to old England and did as we best could although in the greatest confusion.
Booth, Thomas. Papers, 1857 - 1859. Auckland War Memorial Museum Library. MS 2002/56.



2 comments:

  1. My family came to NZ on the Tornado. Rick Manners.

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  2. Contact me; manners.rick@gmail.com

    Regards,
    Rick Manners

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