The Log of the Harbour-Master & Ship-builder
Captain John Gillies
while at Coromandel and Nagles Cove, Great Barrier Island, during the years 1844 - 1858.
Transcription, index and brief notes by Don Armitage, January, 2007 Last updated 28th July, 2008 Don Armitage ©
Transcription and indexing of manuscript MS 608, 70/14 Auckland Museum Library by Don Armitage, Great Barrier Island, January, 2007 There will be errors in the transcriptions-
Note- The log seems to be by the shipbuilder, Captain John Gillies, or members of his family at times, but could at various times have been filled in by others. There is, however, a variety of handwriting in it. Sometimes, the log is kept while at Nagles Cove, on the west coast of Great Barrier Island, New Zealand, and at other times at Coromandel Harbour. There are various clues that, if followed up, will expand on present knowledge of people, places, events and vessels. In the Southern Cross newspaper of 27th August 1858 there appears the following - “GILLIES. On Friday morning, August 20th at Coromandel Harbour, Anne the beloved wife of J Gillies, after a long and painful illness, aged 54 years, deeply regretted by her friends”. This log ends on 23rd March, 1858, five months before Mrs Gillies’ death. On the top right-hand corner of each of the transcribed 51- page manuscript, I have put my best [guess] as to whether the log is being kept at either Nagles Cove, or Coromandel.-DJA.
MS 608, 70/14 Auckland Museum (Author not known. Diary, headed Coromandel Harbour. 1844-57. Xerox copy of original lent by Mr. Boswell. 1970.)
Transcription begins-
Page 1. [Coromandel]
Sept 26th Coromandel Harbour 1844 the early part of this day fine, towards evening showery, wind N.E. 27th early in the morning fine, towards noon, rainy with thunder and lightning the afternoon showery, wind N.E. 28th Moderate breezes from N.E. and cloudy throughout the day. 29 Light northerly winds, with occasional showers throughout the day, in the evening easterly winds and fine. 30 The early part of this day light N.W. breezes, the afternoon fine with the wind S.W.; arrived the Lady Fitzroy from Auckland. Oct 1st The morning fine weather, the remainer of the day showery and N.E. wind 2nd Showery weather and a northerly wind till noon, the afternoon fine and the wind toward the S.W., sailed the Lady Fitzroy for Auckland. cabin passengers, from the Barrier Mrs Nagle, Mrs Anderson, A. Kinghorne, Esq. 3rd Variable light airs from N.E. with occasional showers throughout the day. 4th Early in the day light airs from S.W., at noon light showery weather. The after part of the day light airs.
Page 2 [Coromandel]
4th At Nine P.M. [this rest of this line cut off and not copied properly] Leg, and found it getting [word could be ‘worse’?] [word ?] his [word?] is [word?] and he is to live home[?] and [word?] [word?] [word?] AK after consulting Mrs [word?] about my Health, Cap Hindmarsh took his Accordion and went to the Verandah and played Rory O’More [The writing of this date on page 2 seems written by a different hand-dja]
Sept 5th [should be Oct 5th-dja] Calm light variable airs from S.W. till noon, fresh breezes from S.W. in the afternoon and cloudy weather, sailed the Brig Tryphena for Auckland three cabin passengers for Sydney, for the Barrier Mrs Nagle, Mrs Anderson, A. Kinghorne Esq. returned to port the Tryphena this evening at 9 P.M. during the night Custes[name unclear] was unfortunately burnt to death at [word unclear] it is supposed by his house taking fire. 6th Fine weather with smart breezes from the S.W. 7th Sailed the Brig Tryphena for Auckland, moderate Southerly breezes and fine weather. At 5 P.M. arrived Mr Sampson. 8th Light S.W. airs and fine weather. 9th Light S.W. airs and fine weather. 10th Fine weather with light Northerly airs 11th Beautiful fine weather throughout
Page 3 [Coromandel]
Oct 11th with fresh southerly breezes, arrived the Brig Tryphena from Auckland. 12 Fine weather with gentle breezes from the S.W. 13 Fine weather with S.W. breezes. 14 Fine weather with S.W. breezes, sailed the Tryphena for Auckland this morning. 15 In the early part of the day cloudy, in the afternoon occasional showers with a N.W. wind. 16 Cloudy but fine with fresh Southerly breezes. 17 In the early part of the day light airs and calm, the after part of the day light Northerly winds and fine warm weather. 18 The early part of the day fine and warm, at noon cloudy, towards evening showery with winds N.W. 19 The early part of the day dull and cloudy, in the afternoon rain squalls from the N.W., arrived the Terror from Sydney by the Barrier after 11 days passage from Sydney passengers [name?], Falconer, Charmers, Messrs Taylor, Abercrombie. 20 Squally and cloudy weather the wind W., sailed at noon the Terror, and returned to port in the afternoon. Landed 9 Bullocks for W.E.Cormack Esq
Page 4 [Coromandel]
Oct 21st Cloudy weather, in the forenoon the wind S.W. towards evening Northerly, the Terror sailed again this morning. 21 In the morning a N.E. wind and S.W. in the afternoon, dull and cloudy throughout the 22 day, arrived the schooner Charlotte from Auckland belonging to Mr White. 23 Fine warm weather, the wind N. 24 Beautifully fine throughout this day, the wind Northerly. 25 Fine clear warm day with a light Northerly wind. 26 Fine and warm, the wind Northerly 27 Fresh Northerly breezes and fine weather, towards evening cloudy with every appearance of rain. 28 In the morning rainy squalls from the NW, in the afternoon day weather with fresh westerly winds 29 The wind West in the morning, and SW in the afternoon, blowing fresh and cloudy throughout the day. 30 Blowing fresh from the southward, dry weather but cloudy. 31 Fresh westerly wind both passing clouds at intervals during the early part of the day, towards evening very cloudy. Nov 1st Squally from the NW with frequent showers during the day. 2nd Showery throughout the day, the wind fresh from the NE.
Page 5 [Coromandel]
Nov 3rd Strong gales from the SW with heavy squalls and rain, towards evening clear and still blowing hard. 4th Light SW airs and a fine warm clear day, sailed for Auckland Mr Moore’s Schooner with 30 sheep onboard. 5 In the morning North east wind and rain, showery the remainder of the day, the wind round to NW in a heavy squall about 4PM 6 The early part of the day steady rain with a North East wind till noon when it changed to SW the remainder of the day cloudy with showers at intervals. 7 Moderate SW winds and cloudy, in the evening threatening much for rain. 8 Light Westerly wind and cloudy 9 Moderate Northerly wind and cloudy throughout the day 10 The morning raining[?] the remainder of the day cloudy the wind Northerly 11 At daylight blowing fresh from NE with heavy rain which continued till noon when the wind went round to SW and cleared up. 12 Northerly wind and cloudy with slight showers at intervals. 13 Fine and warm till noon then it became cloudy towards the evening, heavy rain, wind NW
Page 6 [Coromandel]
Nov 14th Cloudy and showery during the day, wind NW, arrived from Auckland the schooner Emma passengers W. Abercrombie Esq. [word or name?], P. Abercrombie, Chalmers, Kinghorne, Sampson. 15 Cloudy and dull with occasional showers with strong breezes from SW. 16 Strong SW wind and cloudy with showers toward evening. 17 Strong SW breezes and cloudy 18 Fresh breezes from Westward and cloudy 19 Light Westerly winds and fine weather 20 Light Westerly winds and fine weather. 21 Fresh Northerly winds and fine 22 Fresh Northerly winds and cloudy, arrived the Lady Fitzroy from the Barrier 23 Fresh NE winds and rain 24 The early part of the day Northerly winds and cloudy, sailed the schooner Emma for the Barrier and the Lady Fitzroy for Auckland. 25 Moderate Northerly winds and fine. 26 Strong Westerly winds with occasional showers. 27 Strong SW winds midday very warm and afternoon cloudy. 28 Fine weather the wind Westerly, arrived the schooner Emma from the Barrier 29 Fresh SW breezes and cloudy 30 Light SW airs and cloudy. Dec 1st Fresh SW winds, the forenoon warm and clear, the afternoon cloudy.
Page 7 [Coromandel]
Dec 2nd NE wind and rain throughout the day 3 NE wind and rain throughout the day 4 Strong NW wind with showers, arrived Mr Webster’s Schooner from Mercury Bay 5 Fine warm weather with strong SW winds 6 Fine day but cloudy with strong SW winds, sailed Mr Webster’s Schooner for Auckland this day 7 The early part of the day showers, the after part fine with strong SW winds, arrived the Lady Fitzroy from Auckland 8 Cloudy throughout the day with strong SW winds 9 Moderate Westerly winds and cloudy weather, towards evening showery 10 Clear fine warm day with a light Northerly wind, sailed the Lady Fitzroy for Auckland, Mr P.Abercrombie arrived from the Barrier 11 The early part of the day till noon, very hot, in the afternoon heavy rain, the wind NW 12 Rainy the whole of this day, the wind NE, launch of the Schooner Otea 13 The early part of the day clear and warm, the afternoon cloudy, the wind Northerly, Mr P. Abercrombie left this morning for the Barrier 14 Fine throughout this day, and light Northerly winds
Page 8 [Coromandel]
Dec 15 Clear and fine throughout the day, with light Northerly airs 16 Clear and fine throughout the day with light Northerly airs 17 Fine and warm, with light Northerly winds 18 The early part of the day clear and fine, the afternoon cloudy, the wind Northerly 19 The morning fine, the afternoon cloudy with occasional showers, the wind NE 20 The morning rainy, cleared up after breakfast and continued fine during the rest of the day, the wind NE 21st Cloudy with occasional showers wind NW arrived the U.S.[Uncle Sam-dja] from Auckland 22 Fine during the morning, the afternoon rainy, wind Westerly. 23 Fine but cloudy at intervals, fresh Westerly winds. 24 Cloudy and raining and squally, wind SW 25 Beautiful fine day with moderate SW breezes. 26 Cloudy day blowing fresh from SW 27 Cloudy with fresh breezes from the SW 28 Fine with moderate breezes from the SW 29 Fine day with fresh breezes from NW, arrived the Tryphena and Terror from Sydney by the Barrier 30 Dull and cloudy during the day, then
Page 9
Dec [30] the evening rainy, fresh Northerly winds, sailed the Tryphena and Terror for Auckland 31 Rained continually during the day, fresh NW winds 1845 Jan 1st Clear fine day, light SW winds, sailed the Young Queen and Lady Fitzroy for Auckland. Jan 2nd Fine warm day, the wind Northerly. 3 Fine weather with light Northerly winds 4th The morning calm and oppressively hot, about noon light Northerly winds sprung up, the after part of the day cloudy and threatening much for rain. 5 Warm and pleasant with light Northerly winds. 6 The early part of the day oppressively hot, with calms, the afternoon pleasant with light Northerly winds. 7 Fine weather with fresh Westerly winds 8 Cloudy with light breezes from SE 9 Fine warm weather, the wind Northerly 10 Very hot, the wind Northerly 11 Very hot the wind Northerly 12 Cloudy, with light showers of rain and light Northerly airs and calms 13 Very hot moderate Northerly winds 14 The early part of the day very walm with a light Northerly wind, the afternoon cloudy with fresh Southerly winds which increased towards evening and blew strongly
Page 10 [Coromandel]
Jan 15th Fine warm weather, moderate Northerly winds 16 The morning warm with fresh Northerly winds, the afternoon cloudy with the wind fresh from SW 17 Cloudy throughout the day blowing fresh from SW 18 Hot during the day with Northerly winds 19 Cloudy, with light Easterly winds 20 Cloudy with light NE airs 21 Very warm with light Northerly winds 22 Very hot, with light Northerly winds 23 Showers occasionally throughout the day wind NE 24 Showery with the wind NE till noon when rain and wind increased and continued the remainder of the day and at dusk blew a heavy gale 25 The morning fine and calm, the after part of the day light Northerly winds 26 Fine weather with light NW winds 27 Clear fine day, the wind Northerly 28 Very warm and the wind Northerly 29 Very hot, the wind Northerly 30 Warm and pleasant with moderate Northerly winds 31 Dull and cloudy with rain in the afternoon, light NE winds Feb 1st Showers with fresh NE wind 2 Cloudy with the wind Easterly 3 Cloudy and dull day, wind SE 4 Fine, but cloudy with light Northerly airs the afternoon raining and wind round to
Page 11 [Coromandel]
Feb 4 NE arrived the Schooner Vixen from Auckland 5 Dull and rainy weather, the wind SW, sailed the Schooner Vixen for the Barrier 6 Cloudy and showery throughout the day, blowing fresh from SW 7 Cloudy with fresh SE winds 8 Cloudy with fresh Southerly winds 9 Cloudy with occasional showers fresh Southerly winds 10 Fine warm day the wind from NW 11 The morning calm and clear, about noon a Northerly wind sprang up and continued the remainder of the day 12 Dull and cloudy with fresh Easterly wind 13 Warm and fine with passing cloud wind NE 14 Dull and cloudy about noon cleared away and continued fine the remainder of the day, light Westerly winds 15 Cloudy with light Northerly winds 16 Clear fine day with calms, in the afternoon a light Southerly wind sprung up. 17 Warm and pleasant with light Northerly winds 18 Raining with NE wind 19 Cloudy and blowing strong from SW 20 Cloudy and blowing strong from SW 21 Cloudy and still blowing hard from SW 22 Cloudy weather with strong Westerly winds 23 The morning raining, in the afternoon cleared up, calm throughout the day 24 Showers and blowing fresh from NE 25 Raining and blowing hard from NE
Page 12 [Coromandel]
Feb 26 Raining and blowing very hard from NE 27 Raining and blowing from NE 28 Cloudy with moderate westerly winds March 1 Fine but cloudy at intervals, Wind SW 2 Morning fine, became cloudy towards noon, and blew strong from SW 3 Fine, with moderate westerly winds 4 Cloudy with a fresh southerly wind 5 Fine, with the wind fresh from the SW 6 Warm and fine, the wind northerly 7 Cloudy and blowing hard from SW 8 Warm and fine with moderate SW winds 9 Very warm, wind SW 10 Warm and fine, wind SW 11 Dull and cloudy, fresh SW wind 12 Fresh SW winds and fine weather 13 Fine weather, blowing strong from SW 14 Cloudy with light westerly winds 15 Warm and fine, the wind north west 16 Fine weather and calms, with light northerly airs in the afternoon 17 Fine weather with light northerly winds 18 Cloudy the wind light from NW 19 Warm and fine, the wind SW 20 Cloudy with showers, the wind easterly 21 Dull and cloudy, the wind NW 22 Fine weather the wind northerly 23 Warm and fine with light easterly winds 24 Cloudy with moderate NE winds 25 Cloudy with NE winds 26 Cloudy wind NE 27 Dull and cloudy with NE winds 28 Raining and blowing hard from NE 29 Fine, with fresh southerly wind
Page 13 [Coromandel]
March 30 Fine with fresh southerly winds, arrived the Young Queen from Auckland 31 Fine and warm wind SW April 1 Fine weather with light southerly winds 2 Fine and pleasant wind easterly, sailed the Young Queen for Waihaka and the Barrier 3 Fine with light SW winds 4 Beautiful warm day and calms 5 Warm and fine with calms and light northerly airs 6 Very fine with a light northerly wind 7 Fine and a light SW wind 8 The morning clear and fine, the afternoon cloudy the wind SW 9 Fine weather with moderate SW wind, arrived Mr Webster with the schooner Charles 10 Cloudy and showers, wind NE 11 Rainy throughout the day and blowing hard from NE 12 Showery the wind fresh from NE 13 Heavy squalls and rain at intervals during this day from the NW 14 The wind westerly with strong squalls and rain 15 The morning fine, towards noon became overcast with showers the remainder of the day, the wind strong from the SW 16 Cloudy with showers at intervals wind strong from SW 17 Cloudy with a light westerly wind 18 Clear and fine, the after of the day clear with a light southerly wind 19 Clear and fine wind SW 20 Fine weather the wind south 21 Fine and warm, wind southerly
Page 14 [Coromandel]
April 22 Fine warm day with a moderate westerly wind, sailed the schooner Charles for Auckland 23 The early part of the day showers, the afternoon fine, with a light westerly wind. 24 Dull and cloudy, the wind westerly 25 Rainy during the day, wind NE 26 Showery with a moderate NE wind 27 Showers at intervals during the day, in the morning the wind NW round to SW in the afternoon 28 Fine with a strong SW wind 29 Cloudy and blowing fresh from SW 30 Fine weather with a fresh SW wind May 1 Dull and cloudy with a fresh westerly wind 2 Fine, the wind westerly 3 Fine and warm with a light SW wind 4 The early part of the day rainy with a NE wind, the afternoon fine and calm. 5 Cloudy with a fresh NE wind 6 Cloudy the wind fresh from NE 7 Fine with a light SE wind 8 Dull and cloudy the wind westerly 9 The morning raining, the wind easterly 10 Showery in the morning, cleared up in the afternoon, light winds from NW, arrived the schooner Charles from Auckland 11 Fine with calms 12 Fine, wind westerly 13 Fine with light southerly airs 14 Showers the wind easterly 15 Showers the wind easterly 16 Rainy the wind SE 17 Showery the wind NE 18 Continued rain with strong easterly gales 19 Arrived the schooner [Young] Queen with Peter Abercrombie from the Barrier 19 Cloudy with a light easterly wind 20 Fine weather, wind southerly 21 Fine calm day with light easterly winds 22 Showery with a NE wind. Sailed the Schooner Charles for Mercury Bay 23 Fine weather, with the wind southerly
Page 15 [Coromandel]
1845 May 24 Clear fine day, wind southerly 25 Fine with a fresh SW wind 26 Cloudy the wind fresh from SW, sailed the Young Queen for the Barrier 27 Fine weather with moderate southerly winds 28 Fine day, with light SW winds 29 Rainy blowing fresh from NE 30 Showery with strong winds and squalls 31 Cloudy with the wind westerly Jun 1 Very cloudy, wind SW 2 Showery with fresh SW winds 3 Fine with a light SW wind 4 Fine weather, with a light SW wind 5 Calm and cloudy 6 Dull and cloudy with the wind NE {unclear word cut off] the morning, in the afternoon NW 7 Cloudy with strong westerly wind 8 Squally with rain from the SW 9 The morning calm, the afternoon cloudy, with light winds from the westward |
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Log of John Gillies 1844-58
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