25 July 1859

July 25th. A very find morning with a nice breeze. A calm sea and a
clear atmosphere with the easy riding of the ship as all contributed
to render this a pleasant day. A number of flying fish was seen this
morning. They are nearly like small herring.

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.

23 July 1859

July 23rd. Very calm to begin the day but making our course and during the forenoon the breeze came merrily accompanied during the day by several smart showers, one of which appeared very threatening. So much so that two or three sails were take in as if suspectful of danger but the greatest weight of the storm passed over a little ahead of us so that we passed along with nothing worse than being rolled about in the rain. About noon a sail was seen apparently making for South America.

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

22 July 1859

July 22. The former part of this day was fine. Afterwards showers came, the wind strong and the sea running high. A sail was seen early this morning as far as the eye could see but not being in our course, we did not see it again.

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

21 July 1859

July 21. A fine morning with a strong and steady though contrary wind which continued all day. Some of us rose very tired this morning having been rolled around all night.

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

20 July 1859

Saw the South American Coast (said to be about Paraiba), in the distance.

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

July 20. A very dull day with heavy showers of rain and a rough sea. We are kept very near the western coast, the south east trade winds bear us over that way. We sighted land again about noon about 70 miles off then turned the ship the other side to the wind and went out to sea again.

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

19 July 1859

July 19. A document made its appearance from the saloon for the passengers’ signature, the purpose of which was to remove the Captain from the charge of the ship. The reasons for this step are fully particularised in my diary. However, the mate persuaded the passengers not to carry it out. One of the 2nd Cabin passengers (male) died this morning. He was consigned to the deep in the afternoon, the funeral service being read by Mr Foster.

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

July 19th. A rainy morning but much better after breakfast except the breeze which was light with occasional showers when it came and went with the rain. I am told we got on well last night but have made little progress today.

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