Booth, Thomas. Papers, 1857 - 1859. Auckland War Memorial Museum Library. MS 2002/56
Friday, August 9, 2013
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.
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.
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.
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.
20 September 1859
20th - Came in sight of New Zealand. The fact was scarcely credited at first, but, happily, it soon becanme indisputable. the coast was very bold and rocky, and the most of the hills in the background were of a light colour, as if formed of sand. Some passengers, however, who had been in New Zealand before, said the appearance was caused by the dry and withered grass and fern with which they are covered, the new sprouts not having yet come up. In the afternoon we rounded Cape Maria Van Diemen. There are three large rocks at its point, which the officers of the ship, somehow or other, mistook for the Three Kings, though these are situated some 30 miles to the northward, and it was actually in contemplation to carry the ship through between them and the mainland; fortunately however, it was at last resolved to go round them, and when night fell we were just off the North Cape. We were close upon it, and as the wind was light and off the land, there was no danger of running fooul of it; but, as the captain was unacquainted with the coast and had not been supplied with proper charts (in fact there was no chart of the coast on board) we stood away to the eastward, in place of hugging the land, which would have enabled us to have got into the harbour without any loss of time
September 20. Sighted New Zealand. Passed the 3 Kings, the North point of New Zealand.
20th. A pleasant morning after a night of very steady sailing the breeze having just come at the right time and speed for we desired fine weather, a calm sea and a steady wind in order to sight and safely round the mainland at a shortcut without going out to sea and round another island called the 3 Kings which lies it is said 30 miles north of the north point of New Zealand and which is the only safe passage in heavy weather. But The Lord has allowed us to have it literally our own way granting us all our petition, may we never forget his goodness. About nine o'clock this morning there was heard the exciting cry “Land, land ahead” and looking forward we could discern on our own starboard bow along the dim and distant skirts of the horizon a long range of rocks or mountains scarcely distinguishable from the large massive clouds. But as the sun broke through the murky clouds shedding his enlightening rays along the bleached brow of the rugged shore, we could see variegated patches of land looking like rich meadows and luxuriant cornfields but it is likely to have been nothing more than beds of oft washed sand interspersed by ledges of rocky reefs and thickets of dwarfy trees which lay stretched along the bleak coast of our adopted land and as the day revealed the coast or land it appeared very open but barren and mountainous and from the time we sighted land to the north end of the island through (?) which we pass to the east side of the land to make the port of Auckland, we viewed about one hundred miles of the west coast of NZ but not a trace of any population or cultivated portion of land could be discerned by the intent and wishful looks of the passengers. We passed the North Cape in the afternoon about 4 o'clock within about one mile and a half sufficiently near to see something green upon the wild unsightly peaks of land which forms the extreme north point of the island of NZ. We could see on the opposite side 7 or more miles distant the waves breaking over a large reef of sunken rocks and a little ahead in a north westerly direction we could dimly scan some apparent outlines of land said to be the 3 Kings island. We passed the end of the island before dark which we guess would be about 25 miles. During these hours of excitement we lost unperceive (?) the Cape pigeons albatrosses which have followed our ship from about 1000 miles beyond the Cape of Good Hope. This day has met our immergencies with special favours being a clear sky and steady wind which had it been squally or we had arrived here some dark night it's impossible for imaginations to picture in thoughts or pen describe in words what might have been the terrible result.
Our Voyage to New Zealand Per the Tornado (by a Glasgow Emigrant) Glasgow Herald December 19, 1859
September 20. Sighted New Zealand. Passed the 3 Kings, the North point of New Zealand.
Campbell, Alexander. Letters and papers, 1859 - 1870. Auckland War Memorial Museum Library. MS 50.
20th. A pleasant morning after a night of very steady sailing the breeze having just come at the right time and speed for we desired fine weather, a calm sea and a steady wind in order to sight and safely round the mainland at a shortcut without going out to sea and round another island called the 3 Kings which lies it is said 30 miles north of the north point of New Zealand and which is the only safe passage in heavy weather. But The Lord has allowed us to have it literally our own way granting us all our petition, may we never forget his goodness. About nine o'clock this morning there was heard the exciting cry “Land, land ahead” and looking forward we could discern on our own starboard bow along the dim and distant skirts of the horizon a long range of rocks or mountains scarcely distinguishable from the large massive clouds. But as the sun broke through the murky clouds shedding his enlightening rays along the bleached brow of the rugged shore, we could see variegated patches of land looking like rich meadows and luxuriant cornfields but it is likely to have been nothing more than beds of oft washed sand interspersed by ledges of rocky reefs and thickets of dwarfy trees which lay stretched along the bleak coast of our adopted land and as the day revealed the coast or land it appeared very open but barren and mountainous and from the time we sighted land to the north end of the island through (?) which we pass to the east side of the land to make the port of Auckland, we viewed about one hundred miles of the west coast of NZ but not a trace of any population or cultivated portion of land could be discerned by the intent and wishful looks of the passengers. We passed the North Cape in the afternoon about 4 o'clock within about one mile and a half sufficiently near to see something green upon the wild unsightly peaks of land which forms the extreme north point of the island of NZ. We could see on the opposite side 7 or more miles distant the waves breaking over a large reef of sunken rocks and a little ahead in a north westerly direction we could dimly scan some apparent outlines of land said to be the 3 Kings island. We passed the end of the island before dark which we guess would be about 25 miles. During these hours of excitement we lost unperceive (?) the Cape pigeons albatrosses which have followed our ship from about 1000 miles beyond the Cape of Good Hope. This day has met our immergencies with special favours being a clear sky and steady wind which had it been squally or we had arrived here some dark night it's impossible for imaginations to picture in thoughts or pen describe in words what might have been the terrible result.
Booth, Thomas. Papers, 1857 - 1859. Auckland War Memorial Museum Library. MS 2002/56.
19 September 1859
19th. A fine morning with a light but favourable wind and the sea almost as calm as a summer's lake. Passengers for the most part appear busy packing up for flitting (?) or standing on the forecastle and looking for hours in real earnest for land ahead and others less zealous or less patient look for awhile and then turning, perhaps with a sigh, wander slowly back to their little appartments with downcast eyes evidently disappointed that the object of their solicitous gaze is yet hid from their vision. About dinner time we had a light shower of rain and the wind changed its quarter yet quite as much in our favour and it improved after sun down so that we sailed briskly at bedtime.
Booth, Thomas. Papers, 1857 - 1859. Auckland War Memorial Museum Library. MS 2002/56.
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.
17 September 1859
17th. A rainy morning with a strong and favourable wind. Having made 320 miles in 24 hours and as we are now within a 1000 miles of N. Zealand, the decks have been cleared during the week and today chain cable has been got on deck to be ready for anchor. By and by this is now the fifth day since these winds set in. From what I am told it is rather unusual but it serves well and we receive it as a blessing from him who worketh all things according to the councel of his own will. About noon we had a little change in the wind and the sea was much heavier after. This morning a curious fish was washed on deck. It's head was much like that of an eel with a trunk like an elephant on each side of which it had five horns which were full of claws with which I suppose he catches his prey. Its body was round and like a tube about its shoulders as if to admit the head or fold up his horns when unemployed. Its tail was like the half of a diamond but being a young we cannot say what would be the appearance full grown.
Booth, Thomas. Papers, 1857 - 1859. Auckland War Memorial Museum Library. MS 2002/56.
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.
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