18 July 1859

18. Very wet and stormy. One of the passengers died today; his body was enclosed in a coffin, and a quantity of iron etc along with it to make it sink. The parson read the funeral service, and when he came to the words "and commit his body to the deep," the coffin was slid down a couple of planks into the sea, when, horrible to relate, the coffin broke, and the body became quite visible, and parted from the coffin. There was a heavy sea running, and the ship rushed on, leaving part of the coffin and the corpse swimming on the surface.

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

July 18th. A dull morning after a rough night. The sea rolls heavy and the wind blowing so strong that we could not have much sail out. At breakfast time it was better for about an hour and then we had it as bad as ever with slight intermissions through the day. It is said that these are land squalls and that we should have better weather if we were more out to sea. It is rumored that we were near land both last night and this morning but not visible. A sail or two appeared this forenoon but was soon shut from our sight by the dense rain which fell in torrents. Today we were near having a mutiny raised against the captain for keeping so much inland as we are in danger of being blown on shore and as no honest (?) information is given explanatory of our position or the cause to which it is attributable, considerable fear and suspicion has been excited in the minds of the passengers generally on this account and we think have been very much strengthened by our captain not speaking with ships we have passed. Two or three of which was so near that he could have done so and why he has not spoken with them has not been explained. Therefore on account of these things some have surmised that the captain must be ashamed of being seen so far out of his course. An elderly man who was a passenger in the second cabin died in the morning about ten o'clock and his remains was nailed up and committed to the deep this afternoon about four o'clock. The clergyman read a service over the corpse after which the tars launched it on the troubled waves and some old iron having been put into the temporary coffin to sink it to the bottom, broke it as soon as it touched the waves, exposing part of the body and somewhat startling the feelings of many who like myself were collected for the first time to witness the burial of a fellow mortal in waves of the greedy sea. The man spoken of only lay about 10 days ill. I am told his name was Mason and that he was a married man and that he came from Maclesfield. He was near 60 and it is said that he had near an hundred pounds which together with his box he left in charge of the purser (or storekeeper). I am told that his wife was much troubled about his coming nor would it comfort her in her bereavement did she but know that on his coming on board he made the worst drinkers his companions and drank hard himself and after his private stock of drink was exhausted , I have seen him get a stock overnight so that he might not have to wait until the store was open. Had he been a sober man I am inclined to think he would not have died at this time. This is another stuck down by the murderous habit of drinking and how awful to think that no drunkard shall enter the kingdom of heaven. How clearly it his proved that a companion of fools shall be destroyed. No (?) his such a fool has the poor drunkard.

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.

16 July 1859

We passed close to the reef the next day; it has a very dangerous appearance in the light, is about five miles long, and has a building on it commemorative of the loss of one of the East India Company's vessels (the George IV), which laden with passengers, was wrecked upon it and only a very few of its crew and passengers saved.

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

July 16. Saturday. This morning the deck reminded one of the Exchange flags, and the sole topic is the proceedings of last night. The rocks on which we were so nearly on were the “Rocus Reefs” coast of South America. Today at 12 we passed them again.

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

July 16th. A fine morning after a very eventful night. About midnight there was a strange bustle on the main deck and a cry of LAND AHEAD, BREAKERS AHEAD, we shall be on them in five minutes was confusedly uttered by many voices and at once the whole ship was one scene of mild confusion. Some dressed, others half dressed and many in their nightclothes were seen making to the main deck to prove the truth of the above statements just made (viz Breakers Ahead) and truth more ghastly we never seen. Though the weather had been dull god had given us a fine night and the full clear moon showed the bleached heads of a massive reef of rocks standing out above the sea against which the white spray could be seen dashing and foaming with awful force. To us it was indescribably awful. It had been said several times lately that the sight of land would be quite a treat but how mistaken. The sight was terrible in the extreme. To think that in a few minutes it might be to us and our families and a great host of prayerless sinners the very jaws of death. The captain (who it is said was drunk in bed) came on deck and I suppose he thought there was no chance of escape ordered the ship to be put round head foremost on the rocks but the chief mate (who is a thoughtful and clever seaman) countermanded his orders and no sooner had he given the word than the crew and passengers fell to the ropes and the ship literally spun around. We appeared so near the rocks that she was expected every moment to strike but life and death before us amid hopes and fears, the greatest possible effort was made and away we went back again to sea and passed in sight of the rocks today about ten o'clock but very little could be seen even by the aid of the glass. It is Cape St. Rogue coast of Brazil, South America. Nearly all appeared to own god's hand in our deliverance. May we all be more mindful of devine goodness saying with David praise The Lord o my soul and forget not all his benefits.

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

15 July 1859

July 15 - Between eleven and twelve at night a tremendous uproar on deck awoke me, and on running up to see what was wrong, saw a line of breakers right ahead, and only some fifty yards distant. The ship was immediately put about, every one lending a hand at the ropes, and we got clear off all safe. Had the breakers been but a few minutes longer in being observed, or the ship refused to go about in stays, or, in fact, had the slightest accident occurred, we would have certainly been wrecked. The reef is called Roccas and is situated off the Brazilan coast, between it and the island of Fernando Navarha. The captain said he thought we had been from 25 to 30 miles to the east of it.

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

July 15. Head wind. Ship tacking. Between 11 & 12 o’clock evening great consternation and cry of “breakers” ahead - ship making right for them and running about 9 knots. Ship at this time going before the wind. I had gone to bed and was awakened by the cry of “breakers” and the noise and confusion above and below. I ran with my trousers and made for the deck, I looked at the side of the ship and saw the breakers - the confusion among the passengers was fearful. I heard the mate say “The ship is about, thank God”. Notwithstanding the passengers continued to arrive on deck many preparing to meet the worst. It was the Captain and second mate’s watch when this happened. I went on the poop and looked from the stern and saw that the breakers were now behind us and I took courage then. Mr Crocker was on the poop and he told me to go down to the saloon and tell Mrs C. I went and found her with the baby in her arms - the other children she had not awoke as she remarked if it was the will of Providence to send us to a watery grave, their sufferings might be lessened if overtaken in sleep. I was glad to tell that danger for the present was passed. Other passengers I saw in the saloon were much alarmed. One was holding a white sheet when I went in to roll his youngest in before parting with it. The danger apparently being over, I went below.

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

15th. A very dull morning and frequent showers during the forenoon but fine after dinner. Very little progress today. The wind dropped just as we hoisted the fore top sail yard arm and remained calm until it was in its place and by the time the sail was ready we had a cheerful breeze. I am glad to say that throughout these breaks and repairs not so much as a trap (?) as been received by any person on board. We sighted a barque of which we thought all was not well as she appeared unmanageable.

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.

13 July 1859

 July 13 - The ship was struck this morning by a sudden squall, which carried away the foretopgallant mast and the jibboom. It was about 8 days before the damage could be repaired.

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

July 13. Came into the SE trade winds - was under the necessity of tacking much. South American coast often seen.

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

13th. A fine morning but a strange scene. The ship having been overtaken by a sharp squall shortly after midnight and broken her gibb boom fore top sail yard arm and torn down the gallant mast and and sail. This made quite a wreck in the fore rigging and very greatly impeded our progress.

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

12 July 1859

We were accordingly visited next day by his majesty, who, with his suits, came on board as promised. The two stowaways and two of the sailors who had never crossed the line before were brought before him one by one, and examined as to the place of their nativity etc. Whenever they attempted to speak a brush with tar on it was shoved into their mouths. They were then shaved by his barber with a piece of rough iron hoop, physicked by his surgeon, and at last soused oeverhead in a tub of water, after which they were pronounced true sons of Neptune. One or two of the passengers, desirous of acting a part in such a distinguished drama, went voluntarily forward and submitted to be tarred, shaved etc. The whole affair was certainly very ludicrous, and reminded be much of a scene in the pantomime.

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

July 12. Preparations for Neptune’s visit (for the account of the ceremony which caused a good deal of fun and amusement see my diary).

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

12th. Making only moderate progress. Still fine weather though perhaps not the most healthy but we expect a change soon. A custom is kept by some seamen of shaving those of the crew who have not passed the line before. It commenced nearly as follows. One of the sailors was drafted to represent what is superstitiously called Neptune the god of the seas. A tar tub is set on fire and put overboard to represent Neptune’s ship. The Neptune comes on board with his wife, doctor, barber and staff of men. They parade the ship headed with mud and at some fixed place the shaving stand is fixed. A seat is placed by the doctor. Medicine is prescribed then he is soaped well with grease and tar and then scraped with a hoop iron razor. His seat is next taken from under him and he falls backwards into the water and after a few ducks overheard they call him finished. A dinner was given to the sailors and paid for by a voluntary subscription amongst the passengers in which sout fie pounds was raised. See what zeal manifested by these sons of Belial to maintain a silly useless and expensive custom which is ever pregnant with (..illegible) results both of a moral and spiritual character.

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