16 September 1859

16th. A very dull morning. Showers of light rain fell through the day. Sailing with a strong side wind, too strong for our canvas, four of our sails having gone to pieces in about twenty hours. (?)izi and gibb fore top sail, fore main stay sail, and mizzen top sail. The friends of the purser (or storekeeper) mouted a testimonial in his favour but did not succeed.

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.

25 August 1859

August 25. John Hendry, boatswain, commenced his duties again. The captain in one of his hasty moments had told him a few nights ago to go below, that he could do well enough without him. He accordingly went and did not resume until the Captain found that Mr & Mrs C. would not use their influence any more in seeking him to work after the way the Captain had treated John, and the Captain was left to make his own bargain which has turned out a good one. He has been paid £5 a month since the date we left Liverpool till we got here, whereas if the Captain had treated John as he should have done, he would have worked his passage as he engaged to do. It will be satisfactory to Captain Henderson to know John carried away golden opinions of his able conduct as a seaman both from the Captain and all the passengers and he was not two days here till he was asked to be a mate of a coasting vessel here, and today a gentleman called wishing him to take command of a coasting craft but he will not do anything until Mr C. Is settled.

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

25th. This morning was fine but not so cold. The sun shone well most of the day. The sea continues in great swells either from distant wind or past agitation. This changeable weather keeps all hands employed. We carried a good deal of sail all day but about unmistakable signs of a heavy night appeared. Orders was given to furl the sails and before they could be executed our top main sail went to pieces. Rolled much all night.

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

16 August 1859

16. We were disturbed about midnight by the extra rolling of the ship and the noise of the sailors on deck. We found a very strong cold wind blowing and storms of rain pelting and all hands hard at work taking in all the sails except three, two of which were reefed and all made snug by about 7 o'clock. (3 gibb sails and main top royal went to pieces before they could be furled). I may here remark that the first impressions conveyed by such a scene (especially when they happen by night or in the twilight of morn) are capable of exciting great fear in the bosom of those who know so little of seafaring life but more particularly so if they do not lovingly know him who holds the winds in his fist and the waters in the hollow of his hand. But a believer sees and feels god as near and precious on the lonely deep as in the cottage of devotion or the temple of prayer and praise and yet to all landsmen it must be somewhat startling to hear the wind whistling through the rigging and blowing the water about like dust and heaving wave upon wave as if to pile the deep into liquid pyramids, each one of which would come rolling and roaring after us as if to engulf us in its surgings. And then rolling the ship on her beam ends (broadside) then kicking against her ribs as if to affright every inmate. Again lifting as though they would toss us in the airy regions and then opening it's mouth to swallow us up as intruders on its troubled waters. But as the day advances and we become more accustomed to this new dispensation a few things recur which serve to amuse us at the moment as we see our fellow passengers rolling one against another, some slipping down on the wet decks, others getting a shower both with the spray dashing over her Bulwarks and often in her rolls upsetting buckets, breaking bottles and crockery and rattling the tins about and turning the benches over. All these in turn kept chiming their answers to the music of the deep (which excited many a smile at each others little mishaps). The sea continued heavily and the wind blew fierce and unabated all day and at night we retired to our rocking beds, looking round somewhat wishful on the patches of blue sky and here and there a star peeping through the broken clouds which still looked wild and stormy.

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

12 August 1859

12th. About two this morning another stern sail boom broke. But the morning was fine though cloudy with a strong breeze in the right direction which blew up a few light showers during the day. The juvenile and female passengers do not appear as much on deck as usual on account of the rain, the cool wind and having not shelter. Since morning the wind slackened very much. The stern sails are again flying but not doing as much as in the night before they broke. During the day we have had a great deal of company of the winged tribe and although very different to the land birds yet not the most handsome in their appearance yet they appear to fly with great ease being rarely seen to move their wings. Our progress today has been very good. The clouds cleared off after sun set making it more pleasant on deck. Gibson the stowaway was struck on the face this afternoon without provocation by the captain.

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

11 August 1859

11th. A cloudy morning with light rain. The wind varied a little in our favour during the day and on the whole we kept up a good speed. 2 stern sail booms has broken this afternoon which was replaced. Another stowaway was discovered today who had been concealed amongst a large family of Irish and who was ordered to work amongst the crew next day.

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

26 July 1859

July 26th. A fine morning but afterwards showery. But nice sailing and a better breeze towards night. The main sail of the main mast was taken down for repairs and replaced by another much too small for the place. Such is the state of our sails that two or three men are required constantly to assist the sailmaker to keep them in repairs and then we are frequently minus a sail or two for two or three days together. This has been almost invariably the case since we crossed the line.

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

14 July 1859

July 14. Last night lost jiboom and 6 sails in a gale. Ship in a bad state this morning.

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

14th. A dull morning but fine most of the day. A squall came on after tea. It did not last long and after it and after it was very moonlight. All the seamen have been busy repairing the broken tackle. After dinner a small Barque appeared at our stern and after tea she some along side but could not be spoken with the wind being too strong and our sails in such a mangled state that we had to see ourselves left behind for the first time in our long journey. She did not appear to have passengers on board but we observed the spray washing over her frequently both fore and aft.

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