12 June 1859

On Sunday we had Divine Service a l'Anglais, but found the preacher difficult to follow, as he was often interrupted by the crowing of the cocks on board, for so soon as one had finished his cock-a-doodle-doo, the note was taken up by another, and repeated until it had gone the round of all the hen coops. About an hour after a peculiar noise was heard below. On investigation it was found to proceed  from a party of Methodists or Ranters who were having service after their own manner. I did not go down among them, but stood beside a hatchway where I could hear the person who was officiating, when his voice was not drowned by those of his hearers with their responses of "Aye, aye," "No, no," etc which certainly did appear somewhat ridiculous to my perhaps prejudiced mind.

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

June 12. Weather fine and calm. Divine service on board. Rev. Mr. Foster Church of England officiated.

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

12th Whit Sunday. This day was remarkably fine. In the morning it was dead calm but shortly the breeze filled our sails and we got on nicely most of the day. The several services of home engaged our conversation mostly. This morning we should held a class but there appeared neither the time nor place for so doing. About half past ten a clergyman put on his surplus and mounted the poop deck and read a great many prayers, collects psalms and lessons after which he gave us a short sermon of only moderate composition and very badly read. After dinner we held a prayer meeting and our place being under the saloon we disturbed them at their dinner and the Captain sent orders for us to desist and we gave up proposing to speak to him about it afterwards. And in the evening being late before tea was over no service could be held.

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

11 June 1859

The tug left us about mid-day of the 11th, off Holyhead.

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

June 11. Steam tugs both left us, the last one at noon after having exchanged cheers.

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

(..illegible) 2 o’clock we had a gentle breeze improved after (...illegible) very nice at sea to watch the sun go down behind (...illegible) white clouds which look like mountains of snow (..illegible) fringes of crimson fire. Well might david say the (..illegible) the Glory of God and the firmament showeth his handywork. This evening we are said to pass about fifteen (..illegible) place where a ship was wrecked 2 or 3 weeks (...illegible) what a mercy we are sailing so pleasantly.

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

10 June 1859

Friday, 10th. After a very unsatisfactory rest, I got up about four o'clock. There was nothing particular going on, but tugs coming and going between the vessel and the shore, which they continued doing all day. About one o'clock the emigration agent came on board, and we all had to appear before him. While at dinner a person I took for a missionary came around and intimated that, so soon as we were finished, there would be Divine service on board. Not knowing when we might have another opportunity, we attended it. The discourse appeared to me very good and impressive, and caused me to think more charitably of the man than his appearance led me to do at first. When he had finished his sermon, he said

"Before closing, I wish to mention that I intend, in a little publication (the Forget-Me-Not) with which I am connected, to give an account of my visit to the Tornado and the services and sermon I have delivered here. I shall also give an account of the vessel, the names etc of the captain and officers on board, which will, no doubt, be very interesting to all the friends you have left behind. Of course I cannot do all this at my own expense, but shall do so at yours; and any of you who wish may send a copy of the Forget-Me-Not to your friends will have an opportunity of doing so by handing me the names and addresses of those friends you may wish them sent to, with fourpence for each copy, and I shall have much pleasure in attending to your orders."

 This I thought savoured rather of Mammon. We were towed out to sea in the evening, and about midnight we were awakened by some one loudly roaring out "Murder". I jumped up hurriedly to ascertain what was ado, and tore the skin off my fingers in trying to open our berth door in the dark. When I got out I found the noise was caused by a poor fellow labouring under the attack of nightmare.

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

June 10. Passengers all on board. Sermon preached before parting by the Liverpool Bethel preacher, Rev. Mr Bluck. Paid him four pence to send home a copy of the “Forget Me Not” newspaper published by him. Left the Mersey in the evening with two steam tugs. Beautiful night. Passengers retired to bed early.

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

This was a busy day shipping the remaining part of passengers luggage and ship stores for the voyage. In the forenoon The Government inspector came and examined our contract tickets and a doctor eyed us over to see if we were all right and a city missionary gave us some books and after dinner preached a very good sermon and promised to take an account of the ship to our friends in his paper called the Forget-me-not. I received a letter from Bentley and in the evening about half past six we weighed amidst the merry shouts of the sailors (...illegible) steam tug was towing us out into the mighty deep.

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

7- 9 June 1859

"On the 7th of June 1859 we left Glasgow per the Princess Royal for Liverpool where we arrived the following morning. There were several parties on board who we soon ascertained were bound for the same destination as ourselves and along with them got our luggage carted to the Tornado, which was only done after considerable trouble and annoyance. Afterwards, on the recommendation of a fellow passenger, we put up for the night at the "Crooked Billet". The next day we went on board the Tornado, and were towed out of dock in the evening to the middle of the harbour. My sensations during the night were anything but pleasant. I naturally felt somewhat melancholy at parting from the kind friends who had accompanied us from Scotland, and could get no sleep on account of the singing, loud talking etc of the different passengers. Towards morning there was a lull, and I was just about falling over, when I was aroused by someone calling out "Is there a John Fiddles* (or some name of that sort) among the passengers?" After the question was repeated two or three times, it was answered in the affirmative and someone went forward when the following colloquy took place:

"Are you Mr Fiddles?"

"Yes"

"Well Mr Fiddles, allow me to have the pleasure of introducing your wife to you"

Here there was a general guffaw, amidst which Fiddles returned to his berth with his spouse who, we supposed, he had been going to "bilk" for good and all."

 *There was no John Fiddles on board, so I am not sure which of the passengers was trying to abscond without his wife....

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

"June 9 Embarked. Left Queens Dock at 1/2 past 2 and cast anchor in the river."

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

"June 9th 1859 We left Doncaster by the GW railway ten minutes before seven amidst the tears and good wishes of a vast concourse of members. Relatives and friends who at that early hour had met at the station to give us their parting blessing. We make no attempt at describing our feelings or what was felt by those from whom at that memorable hour we parted perhaps to meet no more below. Accompanied by Bros. Wadsworth  and Marshall with Messers Atock and Arnold we arrived in Liverpool about half past eleven. With a great bustle all luggage was got down to the Queens Docks and after finding our berth which were all marked out in readiness shipped our boxes and then hurried back to procure a few utensils for our outfit. After our return to the ship we partook our first meal on board ship. We moved out of dock about four o'clock and anchored in the Mersey. As bedtime drew on we sang “When I Can Read My Title Clear” in which some of the passengers joined and drew up and listened with apparent interest. After which (illegible) inspected (?) (illegible)"

Substantial parts of this page have been torn off and so can't be read.

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