20 August 1859

20th this was a fine morning but rather cold. The breeze came lightly at an early hour and continued to increase all day so that some sail had to be taken in before bedtime. About 3 this morning we were disturbed. Mr W. and party (?) 2nd class passengers who had put tea leaves, broken bottles and other missiles into the bed of a man next berth to Mr Manners and when the Captain called they used very bad language to him and used threats against Mr. Z M (?) and otherwise behaved in a very disgraceful manner.

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

7 August 1859

7th. We are blessed with another fine morning. The wind fair, steady and at a good rate, about 10 knots per hour. Having passed the tropical line we are approaching a colder region. Stouter cloths are required. A whale is said to have appeared blowing at some distance this morning at an early hour. The church service was performed as usual both morning and afternoon and in the evening Manners spoke from Titus in the grace of god that bringeth salvation hath appeared unto all men and enforcing in his remarks the saviour's right to reign as sovereign as well as to bless mankind as a divine saviour, keeping house and present salvation and showing the advantages of religion by the hope it inspires and the soul sustaining comforts it imparts both in life and death and to all eternity. The audience was very large and we trust bread was cast on the waters that shall be seen in heaven.

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

3 July 1859

July 3 - Awakened about eight bells (midnight) by a great uproar on deck. Got up and found it to proceed from the sailors, who had come aft in a body to get their grievances redressed by the captain. The complained of having too much work and getting too little food. They said they would not work any more unless they got more and better food and watch and watch [sic]. The captain ordered them off, and told them to come to him during the day with their complaints. They were after a whilw induced to go away, principally by the exertions of the first mate, who the captain blamed (wrongly, I think) for setting them on. Some of the passengers very foolishly interfered in the quarrel, for on the captain and mate having some words, one of them called out "Three cheers for the first mate" which were duly given. When the captain remonstrated with them for such conduct another called out, "Throw the b___ overboard." The purser then came out, and after considerable exertions managed to get them below, where the was much excitement, some going so far as to say that the captain should be deposed and the mate put in his place. The captain here came down and asked what they had to complain of. After a great deal of talk not much to the point, the captain said he could assure them, that if they would bring a case before him of anything wrong, he would do all he could to rectify it, at the same time saying that it was not in his power to interfere much with them or ill use them in any way, as he had the Act of Parliament to walk up to.

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

3rd. This is a fine sabbath morning. The clouds o'erspread the skies to shield us from the heat and a nice breeze with its fanning wings makes our position more pleasant than it has been. The special favors bestowed on our voyage we are not backward to say either in private or public are attributed by us to a praying people and a prayer answering god. We held our class but as our singing was complained of we had reading in the 6th of Romans and the 91 psalm and a fellowships meeting which was acknowledged to be good. The churchman held his morning service on the poop or quarter deck amongst the gents. Poor attendance. He gave the second edition after dinner on the main deck. Worse attendance. In the evening Bro. Manners spoke from Corinthians now are we ambassadors for Christ in which he contrasted the literal and spiritual ambassadors, showed up some of the advantages of reconciliation, explained the terms on which it is proposed and their practicality and urged all to embrace them. Several found great fault with Hayter being so fast as a clarke (?) but in reference to the sermon, some saw one from him was worth more than ten from the clerical man. About noon today a sail appeared in sight and being the first for the last ten days. It caused quite a stir.

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

28 June 1859

June 28. A notice was put on the cow house that we should be off the Western Islands tomorrow when Mr Hughes, a saloon passenger, would go ashore in a boat and would be glad to post any letters or undertake commissions to purchase oranges etc. Many set about writing but it turned out a hoax. The “Tornado Times” and “Tornado Telegraph” published weekly brought to an end by the Captain tearing down one of the manuscripts from the cow house. The passengers all displeased at him as a good deal of amusement was got from the Lolograph Press.

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

 28th. As we turned out from our berths we were welcomed by a fine morning after having been well rocked all night but our speed is good having run it is said 14 or 15 knots or miles per hour and today about 12. It is worth remark that some of the sailors say they never went so far into the Atlantic without having to reef sail but this time our ship as carried all the sail she could put up about 30 in all. We see how a special providence has attended us, The Lord graciously answering the earnest heartfelt and believing prayers of our dear friends who have besaught him on our behalf. What but god's blessing could enable us who were unaccustomed to seafaring life to bear so well all the changes of diet, air, food etc connected with a voyage across the Atlantic and especially Friend Manners who could never in his past life endure the shortest sea voyage without being sick nearly all the way has not up to this time had a days sickness. Indeed the whole ship is a marvel and proved ever since we came on board. The weather has been all favorable. For the first fortnight we had fine sunny days with steady and pleasant breeze. Stronger breeze came at god's bidding, filling our sails and bearing us on with double the speed we had run before. Again has we approach the Tropical region where it is exceptionally hot God curtains the heavens with clouds and fans us with stronger breezes thus ruling the elements and making all conducive to our health and comfort. May we never forget his mercy and goodness.

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

26 June 1859

26th this is a fine morning but the wind having died away during the night we make slow progress but improved a little in the evening. The parson preached this morning and before his afternoon service our class meeting was held and in the evening Bro. Manners preached on the forecastle on the nature and effects of saving faith. The seamen and passengers paid the best attention. This was the largest congregation I have seen at divine worship. Some party was heard to say that such preaching aught not to be stopped as it was calculated to benefit the whole ship.

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

17 June 1859

17th. This was a fine morning but a dead calm. Friend Manners and me sitting together about six o'clock we saw a number of porpus pigs. After breakfast we were ordered on deck and the Captain asked permission to make a general search in order to discover the whereabouts of a thief who was said to have broken open a box and stolen a quantity of wearing apparel, the property of a fellow passenger. A due search was made but no traces were found either of the missing articles or the arram thief. This evening all the dancers seemed wild for dancing. It was carried on for about an hour in an uproarious manner and commingling of stamps, yells and shouts were exhibited in a very boisterous manner by both the passengers and the crew to the grief and disgust of every sober thinking mind.

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