18 September 1859

18th. A very fine morning and a pleasant day. The wind much abated and the sea rolling in great swells from past wind yet we are glad that steady progress is being made in the right direction. I hear the clergyman attempted to hold service but after reading prayers said we will dispense with the sermon and from what I hear his congregation are much displeased with his general conduct as a most unsocial being. Thus we see such stiff, stand off, mincing habits are highly offensive to our social nature and are not only disgusting in the character of a servant but is an effectual barrier to pastoral usefulness.

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

11 September 1859

11th. A rather cloudy morning. The wind shifting more astern we got on rather better. Sailing easy, air cold. No preaching. Too cold to stand on deck.

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

28 August 1859

28th - About eight in the evening an alarm of fire was raised: a strict investigation was made, but no trace of it could be found. The officers, however, who made the investigation found some of the passengers burning rags, coated with fat, for light, a practice which was ordered to be discontinued at once, as it was very dangerous.

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

28th. We had a morning very fine for winter. The sea more calm and the wind more settled and with all our sail set we went on well until about noon when the wind increased very much so that most of sail was taken in and while so engaged a gust of wind went through the foretop sail and rent it very sore. We had no preaching on account of the weather but the ship bell tolled for the steeple house man's entertainment in the saloon.

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

21 August 1859

21st. Sabbath this was a very cold stormy morning. The sailors having been hard at work all night taking in and reeling sail which was done by about 7 this morning. It was rough and uncomfortable all day. After breakfast we began to look for it being a little more favourable. Believing that the morning (at home) sacrifices would be going up to him who rides upon the stormy sky and calms the roaring seas. I heard of the Church minister attempting to hold service in the saloon and as his Rev was saying something about his audience bowing down with him it was said as he finished the sentence he fell with the roll of the ship. We can guess how devotional they would feel in such circumstances. We did not attempt to hold service although the wind hushed a little just then about. The night was fine but cold and all the children joined and sang although the stormy wind may blow and every wave roll high. (Main top Gallant brace broke this morning)

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.

31 July 1859

July 31st. This morning we was aroused early by a squall having come on us rather sharply which had shivered the two fore gibb sheets and a third after dinner. Her rolling more than usual and a little extra noise on deck got a few of us out before the accustomed hour. The morning was showery, the breeze strong and the sea heavy until about sun set after which the breeze settled a little and we sailed more pleasant after although the evening was dull and like more rain. The state churchman did not hold a service the weather being too heavy. About service time in the evenings shower of rain came and cleared the decks and rendering our service a matter of doubt for a short time but as it soon blew fair, G Hayter got up and spoke a little on the Gospel ship.

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

24 July 1859

July 24th. A rather dull morning. A sharp squall came about six this morning which shivered our fore top gallant sail and the ship being allowed to drift a little the other sails were saved. The day on the whole was fine and breeze was considered more advantageous than it has been. Our progress we guess has been something better but direct information on this subject cannot be had. During the forenoon the breeze came often in strong and sudden gusts one of which tore the sail so that it had to be taken down. Divine service was held twice by the steeple house man and in the evening I spoke a little on the great salvation. We had a good audience and respectful attention was paid. The wind being strong, I held fast by one of the ropes. One young man professed to be impressed in this service who died about six months after landing in Auckland. He voluntarily promised to read his Bible and live better but I hear he died in the service of a publican the most hopeless place on earth for the culture of religion. Happy for him if his vow was kept to please god and secure salvation.

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

17 July 1859

July 17th. Sabbath. A very fine morning and a moderate breeze which improved very much in the afterpart of the day with occasional squalls and much worse at bed time. His Rev. The churchman held service this morning but nothing after as expect on account of the heavy weather which continued all day rendering it impractical for us also. About noon a sail was seen at a distance bending for America.

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

10 July 1859

10th The Sabbath comes again with a fine morning. We are sailing at a good rate with a strong and steady side wind which keeps the ship on her beam ends so that her deck is quite steep and our table and bed are all on one side. The clergyman held his services twice but they create no interest. We could not raise a class some of our friends rather sickly. In the evening I was expected to speak but the wind was so high it was thought I could not make them hear. We sighted the sail of a barque this afternoon and passed her at some miles distance and she disappeared before sunset. We sail splendid this evening full twelve knots per hour. It is called the best bit we have had. And although the breeze is so strong it is not cold and the sea is very calm. The sparkling and luminous appearance of the spray has often been remarked during the voyage. Tonight exceeds all we have been before as it foams and hops(?) along in the splendid moonlight almost bright enough to reflect a shadow. It resembles boiling metal the most of anything I can remember. It is worth sitting up at night to admire its features so resplendent with a glory which like the residue of creations vast panorama excites our wonder and admiration but beggars words and defies all our abilities to describe its magnificence and awful grandeur.

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.

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

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.