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.

24 August 1859

24 - Descried some of the buildings of Auckland, and met the screw steamer Lord Ashley coming out of the harbour. We were hailed with "Are you the Tornado?" and some called out, "Is it to starve that so many of you have come to New Zealand." The pilot came on board about six pm and the anchor was dropped a few miles from the town, the wind not allowing a nearer approach. The agent of the White Star line and a number of other parties came on board. They were asked all sorts of heterogeneous questions. One of them, a friend of one of our passengers, who had come out some months ago, in reply to a question regarding the free land grants, said he had an order for 180 acres, that he had looked for a good place, and having fixed on what he considered a good section, applies at the Land Office for authority to occupy it, when he found the same piece had been fixed upon by another party, Lots being cast for it, fortune favoured his rival, who the day after got the offer of £5 per acre for it.

 Our Voyage to New Zealand Per the Tornado (by a Glasgow Emigrant) Glasgow Herald December 19, 1859

September 24. Anchored.

 Campbell, Alexander. Letters and papers, 1859 - 1870. Auckland War Memorial Museum Library. MS 50.

24th. Last night I was amongst them that kept watch on deck. It was very fine. We had a light head wind by which we might have got safe into Harbour but the passage is so intricate and intersected with small islands that a stranger cannot find his way in. Our sails were hoisted out of the wind and she waited  for daylight at day break. A sail was seen (....?) but the wind was dying away and although we were (...?) we had to wait for the wind a little of which came again about 2 o'clock and we moved very slowly and about 4 o'clock a packet was seen steaming towards us. This news struck an indescribable thrill of excitement amongst the passengers in every part of the ship. Some could not stop below to get tea but came running on deck jumping and clapping. The hands expecting that as we had a steamer to tow us out from Liverpool this one was coming to fetch us into Auckland but The Lord Ashley went smoking away past us. But presently a small sailing boat came alongside and put us a pilot on board who was received amid hearty cheers from the passengers. We were conducted to the Harbour mouth about 5 or 6 miles from the wharf. The wind dropped suddenly and we were obliged to cast anchor and take up our quarters for the night which was extremely still clear and fine.

Booth, Thomas. Papers, 1857 - 1859. Auckland War Memorial Museum Library. MS 2002/56.

23 September 1859

23rd. A fine morning but a strong head wind threatening us with more cruise time before we are to see the desired port about dinner time. The wind settled very much and soon died away. The afternoon was fine, the sun warm and the scene was grand. The sea being studded with small islands all around and each clothed with vegetation of some kind like little shrubbereries all bearing of a genial climate and a fruitful soil. They are elevated a great way above the sea by an immense rocky base footed by a nice sandy beach. After sundown we had a light head wind against which we beat up a little way by crossing about like an overloaded animal up a steep hill.

Booth, Thomas. Papers, 1857 - 1859. Auckland War Memorial Museum Library. MS 2002/56

22 September 1859

22nd. We are blest again with another fine morning having beat back during the night some fifty or sixty miles with a light land breeze. About 9 o'clock the ship was put round again for a fresh start. Instead of finding ourselves safely anchored in Auckland bay as was expected yesterday morning here we are with nothing but rocks and sky and sea in sight. After dinner sailing gently along within a short distance of land we could see some smoke arising from behind a hill and in a few minutes we saw the white sail of a small coasting craft perhaps a fishing smack. This thought led to the conclusion that this might be a small fishing station. We beat along until dark and coming to an entrance between two rocks and only some 4 or 5 miles wide. We did not attempt to enter not knowing what was beyond nor what might be the result of going into such danger in the dark and with a contrary wind. We put outside and continued shunting above all night but gained very little.

Booth, Thomas. Papers, 1857 - 1859. Auckland War Memorial Museum Library. MS 2002/56

21 September 1859

Next morning (Sept 21), on getting up, found that we were outside of the Great Barrier Island, and tacking back northwest towards the mainland; we had to tack a great deal, as the wind was blowing right out of the harbour. About nine in the evening, we were nearly run against by a barque coming out - her bows gave our stern a very close shave. She was sailing very quick, and before we had time to hail her with more than "Where are you from?" and to hear the reply "From Auckland", the distance between us precluded further conversation. This danger caused great excitement among us, as the escape was a very narrow one. It was supposed to have occurred in consequence of the other ship not having a sharp lookout, and by us not having any signal lights out.
The country appears very hilly, and rocks extend along almost the whole shore. One of the rocks, detached from the mainland, had a large hole in it, through which we could see quite plain, though at the distance of more than a mile. We also saw a "shag", a curious looking dark-coloured bird, about the size of a duck, with a very long neck and wings. I was told that it goes into the water for fish, and remians there until it is wet through, when it comes out and perches on a rock, where it sits with its wings outstretched until they are dry.

Our Voyage to New Zealand Per the Tornado (by a Glasgow Emigrant) Glasgow Herald December 19, 1859

21st. A splendid morning with a strong breeze from the land having run well all night. About 6 o'clock was seen the grey towering heads of several mountains of NZ and all the forenoon we were able to distinguish here and there the whitened bones of some massive rocks apparently hundreds of feet above the sea. After dinner it was rumered that the wind was too strong and our course being through a narrow passage between the mainland and the Barrier Island where we arrived after dark but the ship was put out to sea and blew right past the entrance after which the wind gently sank down to a dead calm. The ship was then put round and a gentle breeze coming from an opposite quarter we began a returning course to try again with daylight.

 Booth, Thomas. Papers, 1857 - 1859. Auckland War Memorial Museum Library. MS 2002/56.

Advertising for the Tornado

This piece extolling the virtues of the Tornado appeared in many newspapers including the Salisbury and Winchester Journal May 21, 1859.

Sussex Advertiser April 19, 1859

NEW ZEALAND. - The favour in which these colonies stand in public estimation is best shewn by the fact of the large emigration now going on, while there has been a decided check in the Australian exodus. Auckland, the granary of these beautiful islands is the principle point of attraction, and thousands are availing themselves of the land grants so liberally provided for intending settlers. Messrs Wilson and Chambers fine clipper ship "Tornado", starting from Liverpool on the 10th of June, for Auckland and Wellington, offers very superior accomodation for all classes of passengers; her between decks are nearly nine feet high and beautifully lighted and ventilated. We understand that there has been a very large enquiry for accommodation in the Liverpool ships on account of their well known punctuality of sailing, and the splendour and efficiency of these world clippers.