Bambridge Journal Transcription.

Journal 3  1846-8.

The original journals are to be found in the Alexander Turnbull Library, MS 501.

Pages presumably starting at page 1 to half way through page183  (Transcribed by the late Elaine Geering).

Pages 183-194 (Transcribed by D. Armitage, May, 2005)

 

Page 183 –

 

8^th December, 1847.

 

Parting with the Bishop

Embarking for Sydney in the “Deborah”

 

boys had restrained their feelings till Mr Cotton knelt down to receive a blessing from one of the brightest ornaments of the Church when simultaneously burst into hears wich continued to flow till they left the Chapel.The Bishops manner on occasions like these is peculiarly Solemn and the words “Go, and may the Lord be with thee” dropped heavily upon my ears and caused a sensation I cannot forget: A new Prayer was offered composed specially for St. John’s College, and heartily do I pray that the petitions it contained may fully be answered according to the will of Him who hath promised that: “that the labour of His Servants shall not be in vain”.

During the morning my own feelings were most unenviable. Struggling between Sorrow for being called upon to leave the bishop and anxiety to behold again those from whom I am separated. A moment which I sincerely dreaded I longed also should be past; and yet I was relieved on finding that his Lordship was closely engaged in writing letters…that the hour of separation was postponed at least for 3 or 4 hours. So I had a troubled sleep on Mrs Steele’s sofa till Dinner time when Mr Cotton called in and took luncheon for the last time: At 4 Mr C. having packed up we went into the Bishop’s Library to clear up Money Matters which being ended the Bishop presented me with a beautiful Common Prayer Book as a “parting gift”. Then came the trial: I pushed forward my hand my heart almost bursting at the act, and receiving the Bishop’s kindest assurances of friendship, knelt down for a blessing, which, from the manner which t’was given, I feel confident came from the deepest (indecipherable word) of his bosom. In another moment I had left his roof whether to return is not known to me. Thus I left one whom I love – and tho’ I despair of meeting with his like, the nearer any future employer of mine comes up to his standard, the more happy I shall feel in serving him.

            Then to say Goodbye to the Steeles. A cup of Tea attended it  and I tore myself away, forgetting as I soon found out, my watch, great coat &c--. They were forwarded to me whilst on my road to catch the Cart which the Bishop kindly lent to take in our straggling articles. Reached Town by 7 ½ and at 11 went on board “the Deborah” Messrs Fisher Purchas & Williams were on board waiting to take leave (of us): At 12 we hove anchor … (end of Geering transcription, she died at this point- Armitage transcription begins)

 

Thursday 9^th December, 1847.

 

… and with a light wind during the night reached Great Barrier Island and anchored in Nagles Bay by

7½ this morning. After breakfast we went ashore to Capt Nagle’s. I and Leonard Wms then took a stroll upon the high land at the back of their house which Mr Cotton has named Mount Prospect. On our way we had a Capital view of Rory Bay so named from a Schooner of that name having been lost there loaded with Copper ore. Reaching the highest land we saw Wellington Heads to advantage. I sketched them and returning was tempted to make a sketch of the “Deborah” with the beautiful hills in the background.   

 

Arrival at Great Barrier Island

We descended and went over the vessel which is being built near Capt Nagle’s by Abercrombie owner of the mine on the Great Barrier. She’s very strongly built and has as she lies on the Stocks walked away with nearly 5000 pounds. She is likely to be ready for sea in 4 months. Had a very agreeable luncheon at Capt N’s and at 3 went on board. About 4 we went off with a fine breeze and after 3 or 4 tacks passed the head at 5 and made for the Hen and Chickens. We had started but a short time before I began to feel remarkable qualmish and soon had to experience the horrible sensation of seasickness. I had been very much upset by the experience of the last 2 days and this completely swamped my spirits. I never remember passing through more unhappy moments and my head at the same time was distracted with what I feared once would dislodge my senses. Thus my Friday went and the next day was no better my spirits dropped and appetite failed. A glass of porter had an extraordinarily good effect on me and I gradually recovered under its influence.

 

 

Capt Nagle, Mr Bell passenger and M Douker Chief Mate

 

Here’s a sketch of our Captain not flattering in one particular, if I knew his history I dare say I would fill a page or two of varied information. He has been Lieut. onboard East Indiaman. Encountered the chances of a Duel which accounts for his slued aperture: has been a J.P. at the Great Barrier where his residence and possessions are and now he commands the “Deborah” a regular trader between NZ and Sydney and a profitable spec it turned out for the owner which alas! Capt Nagle is not. However he’s a jolly good natured gent and strives to make his passengers comfortable.

Here is Mr Bell who chanced to sit next to the Captain so I sketched him. He is a wholesale Cattle Dealer. Whether he is much of a gainer in his speculations is best known himself. He made way for many a bit of fun on the voyage making absurd bets upon our rate of sailing and is so enthusiastic in maintaining a name for something (unintelligible word) other, that he would stand at the helm 2,3,4 hours at a stretch in the scorching sun for no object in the world except to say he did it. He could never get over the jolly character whose profile I have successfully traced below. He is Chief Mate on board the “Deborah” an “Artful Dodger” without any doubt. What is it he can’t do? Anything connected with Shipping and Navigation certainly seems to present no dificulty he is unable to overcome. There is a fixedness of purpose about him which recommends him to the confidence of all who from time to time have to depend upon his judgement and being a young man  I doubt not but some day not far distant Mr Doukar* will be Master of his own craft and reap the reward due to his devotion and perseverance in his calling.   

 

186

I was invited to mount the hills at the back of Capt Nagles to enjoy a sight of the Wellington Heads from what  has been named Mount Prospect. I was delighted. A cloud or two passing threw part of the Heads into blackness while the Little Barrier about 10 or 1 miles distant looked like a beautiful blue object surrounded at its base by a silver belt which was caused by the gentle advances of the tide. How often I have wished to (unintelligible word) the power of representing quickly as some have the beauties of sea views. I should have enjoyed a sun set scene from the same spot as to the left of the heads is Selwyn Island and Mitre Pt and these succeeded by bold hills and perpendicular red brown and white cliffs. The entrance to the inner harbour and numerous little bays which must all from the rays of an evening sun present a great variety of hues and afford great studies for the pencil. But this  my first visit was destined to be only of sufficient length to excite my interest. And what little I have seen of New Zealand has been under similar circumstances. In seeing the Barrier I am still more sensible of the excessive degree of confinement

(Sketch - Wellington head from Mount Prospect

                Great Barrier Island

                Decr. 1847)

 I have been subjected to. But I am able to trace the reason for it – and that’s enough. I hope everyone who in future is connected with St.John’s College will feel as warmly attached to New Zealand as I do with such a scanty knowledge of the country from my own observation. It seems to me not unlike an attachment to an individual before we are acquainted with a 20^th part of the character. However what I’ve seen I like and will take that as a representative of that which I have never beheld.    

 

p187

The state of my head & stomach would not admit of a longer stay on the shadeless summit of Mount Prospect so returned and searched after the spot whence I had seen the Rory Bay to such advantage. Round about us were growing the most beautiful Manukas I have yet witnessed. On the hills to our right many of them had reached the height of 50 or 60 feet. I seemed almost in another country with such comparatively strange foliage round me. There certainly is remarkably fine timber growing on the Great Barrier. The vessel which is being built in Nagle Bay has enormous timbers in her all of which have been obtained from Capt. N’s land and where we were now standing probably a few years ago there existed very fine trees. The surface is covered with thick stumps and quantities of forest trees are springing up. By the time I finished the sketch I was literally scorched and was glad to descend to the lovely scene of the Deborah at her anchorage. How much more I admired her there than when on board. So sat down under a well protecting shade and produced the next page.

Sketch Rory Bay from Mount Prospect

           Great Barrier Island

            Decr 1847

 

P188

To me nothing could exceed the beauty of this bay as it appeared on our return. The hill opposite us looks as tho’ it had been carefully mown on the left side and there are no irregularities. Only now and then a gentle rise which add much to its softness. The wood to the right shew a definite outline in form as the sketch but requires a painting to represent it to advantage. Skirting the beach are beautiful Pohutukawas under whose shade I should have been glad to have spent a few days to recruit my disarranged health and spirits.

 

Sketch -  The “Deborah’ lying in Nagle Bay, Gt Barrier Island Dec 1847  

 

P189

Particulars about Voyage

Sketch-

 

Whilst we were tacking out of Nagle Bay. I sketched the above appearance of Wellingon Head. the best point on the Bay Side for viewing the profile but to me it better represented Louis Phillipe” the whole was in shadow at the time and looked the blacker for having a beautiful “silvery Sea” immed’y at the back of it . I certainly had an ardent wish to live for a time at the Great Barrier and very much regret not having visited it except when going from NZ. I just saw it to say Goodbye. On my visit to the Kawau I remember with the Bishop I felt more keenly than ever before the monotony of my life and now as then I should have been carried out of myself almost with joy at the change, had it not been coupled with the idea that it just preceded a final adieu.

We had worked out of the Bay with a Strong SSW breeze which continued well with us and brought us by midnight about 14 miles off Cape Brett and by 8 in the morning we had passed the Cape 5 or 6 miles. Lovely Sailing it would have been to me had I been well. At noon the wind changed and we were beaten to the North West but the weather was moderately clear.

(In margin-Saturday 11^th Lat 34degrees S Dist 94m)

and enabled those who were well to enjoy themselves. How I envied Mr Casey who said he never had the least sensation of sickness. In the afternoon we made short tacks towards N Cape. At 8 we were off the Cavallahs distant about 3 miles. At midnight wind at SW and enough of it to send us along at 7 or 8 knots and by 4 am were abreast of N Cape distant 14 or 15 miles. Thus we went on and by 8 in the evening were abreast of the Three Kings dist. 35 miles at least. The land at this time had a very fine appearance the highest parts having a tinge of bronze whilst the valleys became gradually of a dark blue. The weather was rather cloudy but I should think that in fine sunsets the Scenery at the North of NZd must be remarkably grand. I long to cut across and pay a visit to our old Kaitaia friends but I was only permitted to…

 

 

 

Page 190

 

In left margin- December 1847, Sunday 12^th Lat 32 42 S Long 171 17 E Dist 93miles

                                                    Monday 13^th  Lat 33 15 S Long 169 27 E Dist 99miles

                                                    Tuesday 14^th Lat 32 24 S Long 167 17 E Dist 97miles 

Three Sketches – profiles of land in each case

 

…gaze on the land whilst it became dimmer and dimmer till night shut it from my view perhaps forever. This day Sat passed strangely I unwell and eating nothing. But had a fine breeze and going our course with studdg sails set the day cloudy. The S.Wester continued with us and this morning and this morning the little ‘Deborah’ set her lower and topgallant Stunsails with a “Southerly Wind and a cloudy Sky”. This reminded me of old bygone days in N.Z. and at present it seems altogether a dream that I can’t step in amongst them and help them with a tenor to the above. In bed the greatest part of the day very dull and poorly. Urged to eat but can’t but am certainly better than yesterday.

Went along very well considering Miss Deborah is not one of the first raters. We have had a current setting us WNW and is is rather a strong one carrying us in the day 24 miles. Mr Dale has been displaying a very wretched countenance for the last day or two and he certainly is no sailor tho’ by some means he continued to stand a deal of knocking about in the ‘Undine’ without suffering. But I pity him now. Today I amused myself as will be seen on the following page with my old propensity.

 

Page 191

John Jones

 In Margin – Wednesday 15

 

A pleasant day as usual. Indeed we’ve had nothing but pleasantness. Excepting my own unpleasant feelings for the first five days of the voyage. The breeze has been “abaft” and our Studding sails are well filled and doing their best to pull us to Sydney in time to hear the morning sermon at St. James’s. Our Evenings pass very agreeably. One of the Crew who seems to have been brought up in more respectable society than now mixed with is a capital singer and he beguiles the time with both Comic and Sentimental and is now invited to station himself near the hatchway to amuse the passengers. He had sung two or three songs when “something lively” was called for. So he struck a Comical one indeed but one which certainly could not with any safety be introduced at a T.T. meeting. My sides hardly hung together for laughing as he commenced with

 

John Jones was a farmer and highly respectable;

Always in Spirits and never dejectable.

He was one of those men who ne’er would annoy himself

But over his Pot and his Pipe would enjoy himself Everfound sober;

disliking a dizziness; Rising each morn with a clear head for business;

He honoured his Queen, as he’d want to be national;

And lived like a man disposed to be rational

Now John had a wife who was pleasant in feature.

A dear little duck, a good-hearted creature:

She’d good worldly wisdom; could well defeat a plan

In fact just the woman who knew how to beat a man.

Children they had, grown up and dutiful.

Boys looking handsome. Girls looking beautiful.

Not a brow was there o’erclouded with sappiness

But their fireside was a picture of happiness

Now John loved his home nor did his spirits sink at all

Till some one persuaded him twas a sin for to drink at all.

And tho’ he ne’er broke through the rules of Sobriety

Got him to join a T.T. Society.

John from his feelings would have evaded him

But the Sanctiful Phiz of that fellow persuaded him.

His wife ‘gan to check him; but quick he did thwart her

And vowed that henceforth he’d drunk nothing but water

Now of John met a friend he always took Tea with him:

Tho’ he found at the same time it did not agree with him:

All grog he forsakes- good home brewed too he leaves

To go home and smoke his pipe over his Tea leaves.

His wife saw with sorrow the change that took place in him

Till she could at length no cheerfulness trace in him.

He got dull and mopish – drank slops to satiety

Which made his wife hate the T.T. Society.

As winter came on, his greatcoat, he looked thin in it.

He still took his water without any gin in it.

The consequence was, - not given to larketing

He died one cold night after coming home from marketing.

His wife broken hearted to see thus her joys end

Called in the Doctor: declared he’d been pois’end

His body was opened: when beside blow galls

They found him stuffed full of nothing but Tea leaves & snowballs

Now my moral is plain, had John lived to enjoy himself

She’d ne’er like a fool or a madman destroy himself

And thus t’is plain from nature he caught a (r)ub

Through turning his inside into a Water Tub. 

 

Page 192

Voyage to Sydney

In margin – December 1847 Wednesday 15^th

Lat. 32.26

 Long. 164.50E

Dist. 108miles

 

Since good liquor no doubt was sent for our uses

To gladden our heart while we shine its abuses

May each T Totaller freeze till Ice he’s a lump of

For a man that drinks water I’d have made a pump of

 

After this he sang another equally laughable but as it touched upon a clergyman I don’t care to perpetuate my remembrance of it.

The old “Deborah” has taken it leisurely hitherto I don’t know what She can do but at present ‘tis little She has done. and and there’s not much fear the “Eleanor Lancaster” will be in full 3 days before us. At 4 this morning the winds were variable from S.E. to N.W. setting in toward the middle of the day a moderate S.E. which by Evening veered to a nice steady E.S.E.  Mr Cotton’s monkey produces a a deal of merriment onboard. He is an established thief. He makes nothing of upsetting a layer can of paint on the deck. Stealing potatoes whilst on the fire helping himself to a Pork Chop, hiding the Carpenter’s tools or looking at you in the face whilst he deposits some of your property in an uncomfortable place. Most likely he’ll get the worst of it yet. Some of the men ascribing the loss of half their things to him. A Current today has set us W.N.W. 17 miles. Increasing breeze this Ev’g. At Midnight from E.N.E.

In margin- Thursday 16, Lat.33 Long. 162 18  Dist.105 m

At 4 this morning a fine North east wind. All Starboard Stunsails set. The noon was delightfully clear. Weather Hot and likely to be hotter but I looked forward to the Evenings with considerable pleasure. In the moonlight we pace the deck and am unwilling to “turn in” before 12. Had the misfortune to hurt the Captain but not before he had hurt me. He’s a very cheerful man – and something or other led to his flinging a campstool at me. I was armed with our old chair which I very blindly wheeled round to him in return. It struck him on the instep and made him a little lame for a time. He seized the Chair and sent it about  ??      from him to leeward which cracked the Seat quite across and in addition to my horror for having wounded him. I now had prospect of rebuke from my Sophia for having caused the ruin of her nursing chair and what shall I tell her? Had a pretty fair Sail. I played my flute in the Cuddy this Evening which the passengers declared they enjoyed very much. A Current setting us E. by N ½ N. 21 miles.

 

In the margin – Friday 17 Lat 33.6

Long. 159.27

Dist. 139m

 

The Captain came up hobbling this morning and I found he was hurt more than a little. What could I do more than tender my sympathies. request him not to tell Mrs Nagle and offer to help him to my utmost. We were proposing to hoist a colour to day and I fastened it on in a “lubberly” manner so that when Mr Bell drew it up he could not draw it down again. Here was another affair which I did not…

 

Page 193

 

No Exaggeration.*

 

intend should happen and instead of helping, it rather retarded, the Captains improvement. A poor boy had to ascend to the tip of the mizzen peek at the risk of his neck to get it down the best of it was Mr Bell got the credit of doing it all whilst I of course held my peace! as he had previously boasted of his seamanship and ought not therefore to have hoisted the colour in such an improper manner. Moderate breezes from N.E. increasing toward night.

 

In the margin – Saturday 18^th  Lat 33.30 Long. 155.52

Dist 190m

 

The Best days run we’ve had. A fresh gale had begun last Evg at 8. And by midnight all Stunsails were in and Single Reefs top gt Sails. The Gib stowed and Foresail Reef’d. At Noon Sea was washing her fore and aft which continued with not the least abatement and we turned in with a heavy Sea and Ship labouring most painfully to us.

 

In margin – Sunday 19^th  Lat. 33.30 Long. 164.37. Dist. 99m

 

At last the ship was brought to wind and at 4 this morning a heavy squall from N.W. to S.W. took us. It was a squall and no mistake. Rain in torrents. Wore ship to W.N.W. Mr Cotton went on deck to enjoy the scene. I remained in my berth thinking it better where I was. The wind Southed at 6 and all sail was made. So we go on and expect to see Sydney Heads on Tuesday Morning.

 

In the margin – Monday 20. Lat. 33.37. Long. 153.14

Dist. 45.

 

Coming up this morning found the Sea as smooth as a lake. Not a breath of wind and no sign of any. At about 10 we saw the dorsal fin of an enormous shark a short distance from our bows. We put a bait out for him and he came sufficiently near to give us a sight of him but his numerous band of Pilot fish couldn’t persuade him to feed off our pork. I should think he was 14foot long. A breeze sprung up and we averaged 4 knots to the time of “turning in” at 10 ½ We sighted a Schooner a beautiful sight but the Capt found it would not be worth while to bear up for her. (Caught a Pilot fish and Boneta) instead of taking advantage of our wind.

 

In the margin – Tuesday 21

 

This morning at 5 I was on deck and enjoyed a beautiful sight of land. A breeze had sprung up at about 2 this morning and it continues to take us along at 7 ½ knots and at present there is every probability of our anchoring in Sydney Cove by 10.

Breakfast over we began to prepare parcels for Shore meanwhile the vessel made fast towards the heads. I was at the bow of the vessel observing the various expressions of countenances the bold cliffs at the entrance presented. The first sketch was a reseblance of Col. Tibthorpe MP.

 

Series of 4 sketches of cliffs with faces across page

 

The second put me in mind of a profile of Prince Albert when he becomes father of his 12^th Piccaninny 

 

Page 194

 

In the margin- December 1847

 

Arrival in Sydney

 

On rounding the head the third sketch was produced which is like somebody no doubt while the fourth brought to my recollection the bust of an idiot I saw in England once at a Phrenological Lecture. Thus a Second time I entered Sydney harbour. Sketching was now at an end for the breeze and  by the flood tide carried us on too rapidly to admit of dwelling for a minute on any view without a change. I was glad that I had sketched the outside of the heads under such favourable circumstances. Here they are

 

Sketches lighthouse South Head      North Head

 

Sydney Heads. Sketched on board the Schooner “Deborah” Tuesday Dec 21^st 1847 Dist 9 miles, Bearing SSW I cannot describe the beauties which every minute arranged themselves before our view as we steered for our anchorage. At 11 we alongside Kellie’s Wharf. The owner of the “Deborah” Capt Bliss came onboard first and his first information related to the melencholy death of Lady Mary wife of Sir Chas FitzRoy occasioned by the upsetting of the carriage whilst His Excellency was driving. It has thrown Sydney into gloom and will stop a great party of the Public rejoicing at Christmas. We had been anchored but a few minutes when I and Mr Dale went on shore and engaged “two Cabs”!!! one for Mr Cotton & L Williams the other for Mr D & self and a race was proposed which should get to our destination first. By the time I had bought some apples and eaten them the cabs were ready and we statrted but the crowded state of the streets would not allow of a race and I suppose the authorities might have considered such doings quite “finable. So off we went. What a change! 2 hours ago nearly seasick and now on my way to “Paddington” in a cab! Paddington oddly enough was the name of the place I was bound to where I expected to find dear Sophia & children at the house of Rev. PP Agnew.

 

Mr Dale got out at “Coopers’ and I went on and in twenty minutes more kissed………..