2 September 1859

2nd. A fine morning. The sea is running with us but not so heavy and the wind something lighter so that we carry a good amount of sail and keep up our speed. Near two hours after sunset our attention was attracted by the extraordinary redness of the sky which appeared to be reflected rays of the setting sun termed by some the Southern Lights, gilding the heavens as far as the eye could see.

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