Diary of the voyage in the Morning Light from Liverpool to Melbourne and Auckland, 1860 to 1861
Written by James Smeal, Ship's Surgeon. Edited by Merrilyn Serong.
Excerpts from the diary appear below.
The complete diary has been published as an ebook, which is available for purchase through Amazon.com.au here, or from Amazon.com here. For further information, please see the Links page on this website.
Excerpts from the diary appear below.
The complete diary has been published as an ebook, which is available for purchase through Amazon.com.au here, or from Amazon.com here. For further information, please see the Links page on this website.
Monday 22-10-1860
All passengers embarked on board today. All on board in confusion and consternation at the idea of losing one's luggage as there is so much of it all mingled together. The tug has been busy all day carrying luggage and stores for ship's use, and the Captain says we will not clear today as we have still cargo to take on board.
At five o'clock in the evening, I was sent for a man who had fallen down the main hatch and both dislocated his elbow joint and fractured his arm. He has been put into hospital. I came on board myself at 2 o'clock after being backwards and forwards several times for small things which I had forgot before coming on board. My luggage however was brought on board on Saturday.
As the Government Inspector was not to come on board till tomorrow I was wanting to stay in Liverpool tonight, but the owner, Mr Wright, told me not to quit the vessel now that the passengers were all on board. The steerage passengers who came on board on Saturday are complaining of not having had proper food, but that is to be accounted for by the want of all the officers on board to look after them, especially the Captain.
At five o'clock in the evening, I was sent for a man who had fallen down the main hatch and both dislocated his elbow joint and fractured his arm. He has been put into hospital. I came on board myself at 2 o'clock after being backwards and forwards several times for small things which I had forgot before coming on board. My luggage however was brought on board on Saturday.
As the Government Inspector was not to come on board till tomorrow I was wanting to stay in Liverpool tonight, but the owner, Mr Wright, told me not to quit the vessel now that the passengers were all on board. The steerage passengers who came on board on Saturday are complaining of not having had proper food, but that is to be accounted for by the want of all the officers on board to look after them, especially the Captain.
Tuesday 23-10-1860
I have now passed my first night at sea. In the forepart of the night there was so much noise on deck taking in cargo that I did not sleep very well, but after 2 o'clock I slept soundly, although the crew were still working as usual. Had breakfast this morning at 9 o'clock and made a very substantial one. In the absence of the Captain, the first mate headed the table, and I had the seat which I occupied all the voyage viz - at the foot. At 10 a.m. all the saloon passengers who had not come on board yesterday came today and took their quarters. The Government Medical Inspector came on board at 12, and we examined the passengers and passed all, and found the number to be 307, a number much larger than was expected so that an additional supply of medicines had to be put on board. After the Inspector and the Officer of the ship had dined together, the Inspector left by the tug, and along with him went the Captain to clear his ship and pass his custom's papers. The large tug now came alongside, and we were immediately steaming slowly down the river past the fine long line of docks which line its banks. There are several fine vessels lying in the river at present, both loading and unloading, but every vessel looks small beside this magnificent specimen of naval architecture - "Morning Light".
A missionary has been on board preaching a farewell sermon first on the Poop Deck and then on the steerage path. The passengers seemed to pay considerable attention to him and sang the psalms readily. I wrote two or three notes home as my first sea letters, not knowing when I might have another opportunity. At 7 p.m. the tug with the Captain made up to us although we are now near the Bar, a distance of 18 miles. By the same tug the Minister, Mr. Wright and a few friends of some of the passengers returned to Liverpool, and by them many farewell letters were sent ashore. We had a very good dinner and tea, and after both many of the Gentlemen sent for their brandy and porter &c, and there seems to be only another total abstainer on board besides myself. I thought at first the Captain was a teetotaller, but he is not, as he drank wine today with one of the ladies who was sitting on his right hand. The saloon cleared at about 10 p.m. and all was quiet thereafter. Tonight I am to have a bed-fellow as the whole ship is so full that I cannot at present have a cabin to myself.
A missionary has been on board preaching a farewell sermon first on the Poop Deck and then on the steerage path. The passengers seemed to pay considerable attention to him and sang the psalms readily. I wrote two or three notes home as my first sea letters, not knowing when I might have another opportunity. At 7 p.m. the tug with the Captain made up to us although we are now near the Bar, a distance of 18 miles. By the same tug the Minister, Mr. Wright and a few friends of some of the passengers returned to Liverpool, and by them many farewell letters were sent ashore. We had a very good dinner and tea, and after both many of the Gentlemen sent for their brandy and porter &c, and there seems to be only another total abstainer on board besides myself. I thought at first the Captain was a teetotaller, but he is not, as he drank wine today with one of the ladies who was sitting on his right hand. The saloon cleared at about 10 p.m. and all was quiet thereafter. Tonight I am to have a bed-fellow as the whole ship is so full that I cannot at present have a cabin to myself.
Next excerpt: Thursday 22-11-1860
Editor's note: today's coordinates indicate the ship was approx 756 nautical miles (870 statute miles; 1400 km) west of present-day Sierra Leone at 12 o'clock.
This morning E. J. Wood, who was confined last night for misconduct, broke loose, and getting hold of a crow bar made great destruction among some new carriages which were in his vicinity. The owners of them will of course come upon the company for restitution of their cost price, so that Mr. Wood, the lunatic will be an expensive passenger before we get to Melbourne. He has also been put into a straight jacket and a keeper provided for him. We saw a brig in full sail on the port side which we speedily left behind us although we were only sailing 5 knots an hour.
12 o'clock 7° 41' N. Lat. 25° 21' W. Long.
Distance 90 miles.
Wind from E.N.E., steering S.S.E. but only making 3 knots an hour. A shark hook is trailing behind us baited with salt pork, but none have been seen yet. At dinner time we were making still 3 knots, but the wind died away a little and we only made 1½ knots at 5 o'clock. After dinner we had the usual amount of music and dancing, and the dance which is most popular seems to be the Lancers, as two sets are often dancing at one time at the different sides of the poop to the same music. Common Quadrilles are also danced a good deal because waltzing, polkaing etc. are too hard work for this hot weather.
We were all anticipating being becalmed for two or three days, when suddenly in the midst of the dancing, a beautiful heavy snowy cloud seemed to rise from the whole of the eastern horizon; for the first two minutes the cloud was beautiful, but we soon discovered a heavy black ending to it. It rose rapidly towards the zenith and the rain began to fall in torrents at some distance but it passed over us without coming down upon us. We could see the end of it as distinctly as possible, and I never witnessed such a wild scene in my life. At 7 o'clock the sky was as clear as crystal with all the stars shining brightly, and in 5 minutes the whole sky was one black sheet, making it pitch dark although the moon was nearly full and bright. Everyone prepared for a deluge and a hurricane. The crew threw on their waterproof coats and hats and were ordered by the Captain, as soon as ever the black part was seen, to furl or reef the sky sail and top sails and stand by the Royals so as to furl them at a moment's notice. As soon as the black cloud rose above the horizon and the stars were seen shining below its well defined margin the wind began to blow gently and increased in force and violence till in blew a heavy squall making us fly through the water at the rate of 12 miles an hour. It went over without doing any damage and in half an hour the sky was as clear overhead as before with the moon shining bright and a large lunar rainbow round it. but the eastern horizon was left dull and hazy showing that we were still to have more wind. The cloud seemed like an immense mountain of snow resting on a stupendous black rock, such a sight as I and many others had never before had an opportunity of seeing before. The Captain is quite delighted and says it is quite a God-send as he expected to be becalmed or beat about for three days, but now this will carry us to the S.E. Trades which we hope to catch at 3° N. Lat.
At 12 p.m. when I went to bed the wind was still strong and we were steering S., making 9½ knots easy and as steady as a rock, with the wind from the E.N.E. with all sail again set.
At night there was some dispute as to whether the Pole star was seen tonight, but although some said they saw it, I certainly did not, neither do I think any other one did as we are too far south now.
12 o'clock 7° 41' N. Lat. 25° 21' W. Long.
Distance 90 miles.
Wind from E.N.E., steering S.S.E. but only making 3 knots an hour. A shark hook is trailing behind us baited with salt pork, but none have been seen yet. At dinner time we were making still 3 knots, but the wind died away a little and we only made 1½ knots at 5 o'clock. After dinner we had the usual amount of music and dancing, and the dance which is most popular seems to be the Lancers, as two sets are often dancing at one time at the different sides of the poop to the same music. Common Quadrilles are also danced a good deal because waltzing, polkaing etc. are too hard work for this hot weather.
We were all anticipating being becalmed for two or three days, when suddenly in the midst of the dancing, a beautiful heavy snowy cloud seemed to rise from the whole of the eastern horizon; for the first two minutes the cloud was beautiful, but we soon discovered a heavy black ending to it. It rose rapidly towards the zenith and the rain began to fall in torrents at some distance but it passed over us without coming down upon us. We could see the end of it as distinctly as possible, and I never witnessed such a wild scene in my life. At 7 o'clock the sky was as clear as crystal with all the stars shining brightly, and in 5 minutes the whole sky was one black sheet, making it pitch dark although the moon was nearly full and bright. Everyone prepared for a deluge and a hurricane. The crew threw on their waterproof coats and hats and were ordered by the Captain, as soon as ever the black part was seen, to furl or reef the sky sail and top sails and stand by the Royals so as to furl them at a moment's notice. As soon as the black cloud rose above the horizon and the stars were seen shining below its well defined margin the wind began to blow gently and increased in force and violence till in blew a heavy squall making us fly through the water at the rate of 12 miles an hour. It went over without doing any damage and in half an hour the sky was as clear overhead as before with the moon shining bright and a large lunar rainbow round it. but the eastern horizon was left dull and hazy showing that we were still to have more wind. The cloud seemed like an immense mountain of snow resting on a stupendous black rock, such a sight as I and many others had never before had an opportunity of seeing before. The Captain is quite delighted and says it is quite a God-send as he expected to be becalmed or beat about for three days, but now this will carry us to the S.E. Trades which we hope to catch at 3° N. Lat.
At 12 p.m. when I went to bed the wind was still strong and we were steering S., making 9½ knots easy and as steady as a rock, with the wind from the E.N.E. with all sail again set.
At night there was some dispute as to whether the Pole star was seen tonight, but although some said they saw it, I certainly did not, neither do I think any other one did as we are too far south now.
Next excerpt: Saturday 22-12-1860
Editor's note: approximately 540 nautical miles (620 statute miles; 1000 km) S.S.W. of Cape Town, South Africa at 12 o'clock.
As the wind has fallen considerably the ship which we left behind yesterday has gained upon us and is just perceptible away astern. She is much lighter and can therefore make more way with a light wind than we can, but we will very soon leave her far enough behind as the wind is freshening up a good deal.
12 o'clock 42° 45' S. Lat. 14° 35' E. Long.
Distance 194 miles.
We are now steering a little out of our course as the wind has hauled round to the S.S.E., however we are only going 6 knots. The weather has now become so cold that most of people have put on winter clothing, but it is not the same coldness and rawness that we have at home, but there is a feeling of lightness in the pure sea air which is very invigorating. There are many suffering from severe colds and I am among them as I suffer a good deal from rheumatism in my face, however the ship is very healthy. After dinner there was quite a large flock of Albatross, cape hens etc. flying about us, but none have yet been brought on deck.
We had the usual music and dancing after tea.
12 p.m. Now steering S.E by E. making 9½ knots.
12 o'clock 42° 45' S. Lat. 14° 35' E. Long.
Distance 194 miles.
We are now steering a little out of our course as the wind has hauled round to the S.S.E., however we are only going 6 knots. The weather has now become so cold that most of people have put on winter clothing, but it is not the same coldness and rawness that we have at home, but there is a feeling of lightness in the pure sea air which is very invigorating. There are many suffering from severe colds and I am among them as I suffer a good deal from rheumatism in my face, however the ship is very healthy. After dinner there was quite a large flock of Albatross, cape hens etc. flying about us, but none have yet been brought on deck.
We had the usual music and dancing after tea.
12 p.m. Now steering S.E by E. making 9½ knots.
