Hokitika Diary Transcription

Hokitika Diary Transcription

Diary of voyage from Plymouth to Hokitika 1878

Page 1

 A.M. D. G.

Diary of voyage  from Plymouth to Hokitika

From August 1st to Oct. 15th 1878

Left Plymouth accompanied by Father Molony,

who by a special privilege obtained permission to

accompany us in the tender to the “Garonne” on reaching

which he acted the part of a Guardian Angel & Father

combined, saw sisters in safely to steamer, then luggage

had hardly time to give us his solemn blessing & say

“Farewell”, returned to “tender”, we watched each other until

distance rendered the “tender” invisible, got on fairly

until about 4 p.m., when all the sisters began to drop

off by degrees, except our brave little sailors Srs M. Claver

and Kate who withstood everything.

  August the 2^nd in Biscay’s dreaded  Bay, not so bad

as we apprehended, but rough enough withal.  Sisters

recovering by slow degrees. August 3^rd.  Left Bay at

3 a.m.  Sisters better, sea calmer during day,

Sighted several sailing vessels homeward bound,

 

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one with French colors!  Athletic sports on deck

after dinner, rough night, Sisters begin again to

feel qualms.  August 4^th.  Feast of the Founder

of Friars preachers, did not forget his dear client

at St. Xavier’s.  White sailed vessel on horizon, service

performed by Clergyman of Established Church-

the only one of any persuasion on board.  Alas!!!

Piano brought on deck for occasion, psalms sung

Sounds of which reached us as we reclined on lounger

in Saloon struggling against the qualms, great at-

tention from all on board.  August 5^th.  Sisters well Deo

Gratias. Trunks brought up from hold on deck, got

to ours, procured some needlework, so glad to have

something to do. feel today almost as if we were in a

Convent; draw up horarium for voyage, after dinner

all lean over ship’s side, rapt in admiration at the phos-

phor on the water, starlit sky & reflection of the

moon’s rays on the water – a picture that should be

seen to be admired. August 6^th. On deck before 6 a.m.

“Glorious sights by sea and land”.  Waters beautifully blue&

calm save where crest of a tiny wave near ship’s keel

ruffles into silvery foam.  Our good ship sails out

 

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majestically between “Grand Canary” on the left &

peak of Teneriffe on the right – outline of former

will remain in sight until evening – nearing the

Tropics- “pleasant and cool”. August 7^th. In the Tropics

cool and refreshing, all sisters quite well, our expect-

ation of being half burned passing “Cancer” agreeably

disappointed.  August 8^th.  Sea pretty rough, wind

gone down – vessel heaving, heat increased many degrees

but not what we expected, just as warm in Ireland a

week before we left – in the morning saw several

flying fishes – yesterday about 5 p.m. fire bell rang

out alarm, great excitement on board – all ship’s

company at their posts in twinkling of an eye

Stewards and waiters with blankets on arms ready to

extinguish flames – some passengers looking aghast

others (who were up to it) laughing – Dr Mc Master

comes to put an end to our suspense by telling us

that it was only practice to see if all were ready at

their posts.  It is to take place once a week, but

always at different times to take them by surprise.

We were just at tea when the alarm was given –

 

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evening cool and pleasant. Concert on second deck,

fine voices, exquisite harmony, grand effect on

the waters.  Many of the choristers hanging over

ship’s side in life boats.  August 9^th, heavy fall of

rain early in the morning, sea rough, air still and

sultry, do not expect great heat as we have been going

from the sun since last night, it was almost vertical

yesterday.  Sisters qualmy today.  August 10^th.

Torrents of rain in morning, fine later on, look

over ship’s side, see several nautilus.  In afternoon

rain comes down like a deluge – freshens the air.

August 11^th.  Protestant service performed, muster

of ship’s company before this, very pretty, number 145.

We go to steerage where are a great many Germans,

French, Scotch & some Irish, we converse a little

with them.  Just after dinner 7 p.m. steamer sudden-

ly stops.  Mr ………….., First Officer & Mr Kelly chief

Engineer fly from table.  Sisters panic struck,

however finish action they were at, then go on deck

where they hear cause of stop.  Part of the machinery

of steam engine got loose – all right in about a quarter

or half an hour.  Dr McMaster tells postulants that

 

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we are stranded and cannot get out of our present

position for the next 3 months! beautiful evening

moonlight on the dark waters, like diamonds on a

velvet robe, scene bewitching – exquisite – mackerel

shy – no sound heard “save the voice of the great

Creator”.  August 12^th.  Cross the line, at 2 p.m.

all is cool as on a mild May day in Ireland,

Sisters all in grand health, thank God.  Ball-

playing and fencing on board for great part of

day showing how cool it is, three balls get a

watery grave, eclipse of the moon at night.

See the Southern Cross.  August 13^th in Southern

Hemisphere – after “tiffin” Sisters go with First

Officer thro’ ship – nearly 400 feet long & 50 wide,

Passengers 400 – great many Germans & Scotch,

not many Irish – ship like a little village-

receive greatest attention from all ship’s company

and passengers.  August 14^th, morning dull, the

Sisters well thank God.  August 15^th.  All well,

able to enjoy the Glorious Feast of our Blessed

Mother – in spirit we unite in welcoming the dear

ones at home out of Retreat, sang a great many

 

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hymns in praise of our Glorious Mother.  August 16^th:

schools of porpoises gambolling amid the dark waters

as far as the eye could reach, glorious sunset seen

by us for the first time, as heretofore we were in

the saloon when that orb sank beneath the horizon.

days now getting short, scarcely any twilight tho’

still in tropics air chilly – sisters have to wear shawls

on deck in the evening.  August 17^th.  Steamer

halted again at 4.30 a.m. this morning, eight

sisters awaked by check – three doing duty of the

hour so well that they were in blissful ignorance

of the halt caused we believe by heating of some

part of machinery – bounding over waters again

in less than half an hour.  Auction on deck

from 11 to 12.30 p.m.  Stopped by alarm of fire bell,

ship’s company flying to their posts most

amusing scene – only practice though. 

August 18^th visit steerage on Sunday during

service, give 2 Agnus Dei’s to 2 Irish Catholics,

distributed large pieces of sweet cake amongst

passengers which raised in them emotions

of grateful delight.  August 19^th rather cold

 

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spent most of day pleasantly in saloon, said

office in cabin.  Nice concert in First Saloon

during evening, auction also today.

20^th: Feast of St Bernard, did not for-

get his cear clients. sea rough. day cold.

Sisters qualmy.  Wednesday 21^st see several

Cape hens & flying fish also other birds &

fishes.  Reading in second saloon by Miss

Ward (celebrated actress taking sea voyage for

benefit of health).  Tuesday 27^th sight coast of

Africa at 9 a.m. cast anchor at Table Bay at 4 p.m.

scenery grand – Cape Town prettily situated at

foot of Table mountain.  Devil’s Peak Mt very

grand.  Several boats lying at anchor. most of

the passengers go ashore.  An English gentleman

Mr Praed takes our letters to post them, as well as

one to the Bishop asking for the service of a priest

at 5 p.m. our Irish Catholic eyes are more than

feasted by the sight of a Roman Catholic Clergy-

man coming towards the Garonne in a little steam

boat.  We are at the ship’s side in twinkling of an eye

ecstasied at the thought of seeing again a priest

 

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of God, we meet a tall young clergyman at top

of ladder, greet him enthusiastically & soon learn

that he is a real Irish gentleman, Rev. Father Corboy

from the Diocese of Cashel – volunteered to go to the

Cape for 8 years after ordination, tells us that

he was just returning from Workhouse & Lunatic

Asylum when he saw us & came up to spend an hour

With us, while talking to him W. Western E.C. brought

us a little note from Dr Leonard promising to

send a boat for us a 6 ½ a.m. You may imagine

our delight.  Fr Corboy reads it for us, bids us

farewell – we watch him until we see his receding

figure on the quay.  Friday 23^rd. Rise with the

lark & are on deck at 5 ½ a.m. praising the Giver

of all good for this bounty to us.  Soon we see a

barque approaching, manned by two dark gentle-

men & a white man; steersman & above named gents

help us in.  Soon the little barque against the wind

is cleaving her foamy track & coming to wharf we

descry the venerable form of Most Rev Dr Leonard

who frequently raises his hat & greets us most

cordially – helps us all to land & conducts us to

 

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three carriages, which wheel us off rapidly to the

Dominican Convent, in the court of which we

Met Father Corboy who gives us an Irish welcome

to the Cape.  M. M. Dympna (Prioress) receives us

at the door most cordially. Conducts us to the

Chapel where his Lordship absolves 5 of us while

Dr Colgan confers a similar favour on the five

Juniors have the unspeakable happiness of

hearing once again the Most Holy Sacrifice of

the Mass & receiving Holy Communion – our de

light & gratitude can be better conceived than

expressed – breakfast at 8 a.m. then walk in

garden – Bishop comes for us at 10, brings us

thro’ Cathedral which is very nice – cost £16,000

built by Dr Griffith Patriarch of the Cape-

Dr Grimbly 2^nd, Dr Leonard 3^rd, there visit

schools of Marist Brothers & Dominicans –

Srs have about 600 children of different per-

Suasions & colors.  Little pupil teachers of 13

examine classes most intelligently & with ad-

mirable self-possession – answering very good-

return to tiffin at Convent, go thro’ gardens with

 

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Prioress, chat with Srs. all Irish and very nice,

Several pupils of Srs of Mercy, a dear little pos-

tulant of 13 years.  At 2 ¼ p.m. Dr Leonard,

Dr Colgan & Father Corboy come to convey us to

steamer where Captain Owen welcomes back his

children invites all to dine but they decline as

they must be back for evening devotions.  We conduct

them thro’ saloon.  Father Corboy makes his way

thro’ steerage on his return we receive his

Lordship’s blessing & once again say “Farewell”.

We feel as if we were again parting from Sainted

Erin, watch until we lose sight of them, then

go to dinner.  After dinner 8 p.m. coal boat

capsized, three men struggling in the foamy

waters, night pitch dark – every effort made to

save them but Alas! only two were saved, the

third got a watery grave.  May God grant that he

was fit to go – they were not passengers only labourers

from the Cape.  Great sensation naturally created

by accident.  Saturday 25^th – have to stop coaling

on account of rough sea.  Most of passengers have

returned [rough sea].  Sea lovely to look at green

 

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bright & clear topped with silver foam, shoals

of sprats at vessel’s side, Cape hens gliding about

& dipping in water – several fine steamers pass-

Ing by or lying near – got new passengers in

Saloon.  Monday 24^th. 2 passengers go ashore

for Cape get 6 new ones – weigh anchor at 4.30

say farewell to Table Bay & Cape Town- night

descends on scene & we retire to Saloon.

Monday 25^th. Dreadful day. Sea far surpassing

Bay of Biscay – all very qualmy-

Tuesday 26^th heaving continued with

qualms – Wednesday passed dreadful

night – ship swinging to & fro most awfully

one lady dashed out of berth – only ship’s

company slept – passengers holding every

available thing trying to keep themselves in,

truly we have got a stormy introduction

to Southern Ocean, ladies in Saloon

this morning “few and far between”, viands,

plates, china & glass sent with a crash from

one side of the table to the opposite, some

lucky persons getting during process lapfuls

 

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of soup etc. etc.  Thursday weather fine, able

to go on deck for part of day. Later our

Srs very busy at needlework in Saloon.

Friday, weather improving still more, on deck

greater part of day, working, praying, walking &

leaning over our ship’s side, looking at beautiful

Frigate birds or “Parsons”, retire to saloon at 5 p.m.

After dinner have concert nice vocal & instru-

mental music.  Saturday, fine on deck

until 3 p.m. then work in Saloon during

practice of Church of England hymns for

Service tomorrow.  Grand concert after din-

ner interspersed with readings from Long-

fellow & Tennyson rendered most effectively.

Sunday 1^st September very rough sea & high

wind, waves dashing over deck – two sails

thrown away, during service we have Rosary

and after that some hymns sung in the second

saloon.  At 7.30 p.m. steamer stops for a

few minutes to set a loose screw in order.

8.30 evening service of the English Church in

Saloon; we retire to cabins where we have full

 

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benefit of litany, psalms, prayers, & eloquent

exhortation of Rev. W. Westher – all over at 9.15

Deo Gratias. We take a refreshing sleep not-

withstanding rocking of vessel.

            Monday 2^nd Sept. Weather fine – number

of Cape hens, Frigate birds & Albatrosses

flying around vessel. 3^rd. Chief Officer

takes us forward thro’ ship to see three

beautiful Ostriches which a gentleman

took from Cape intending to establish an

ostrich farm at Adelaide, grand birds in

immense wooden cages.

            Tuesday 3^rd.  Warm day – Chief

Engineer & Purser give musical entertain-

ment consisting of a variety of Irish, Scotch,

and operatic airs on Cornet, fife & beautiful

musical box.  Thursday 6^th.  Gale & heavy

rain – great rolling of vessel.

            Friday. Day fine – athletic exercises on

deck in the forenoon.

            Saturday 7^th. Grand concert in Saloon

after dinner.

 

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Sunday 8^th.  During service go forward

thro’ ship, distribute some Agnus Dei’s and

crosses to the few Irish Roman Catholics.

Monday 9^th. Fine day- Srs spend most

of it on deck.

            Tuesday 10^th.  Saloon concert & recitation.

Wednesday – heavy rains & fearful rolling.

Thursday. Geographical Bee in first

saloon after dinner – Mrs Lang, Scotch

lady- Australian by birth – brings the

prize.

            Friday – Grand afternoon, tea in first

Saloon, to which guests are called by a

Merry blast of cornet.  Sisters recreate

Themselves by taking an Irish walk on deck

Saturday 14^th sighe of Kangaroo Island

at 5 a.m.  Cast anchor before Port

Adelaide at 5.30.  Coasted sunny Australia

for about four hours & see several fine

ships and steamers as well as yachts and

little boats.  Very pretty scenery seen

thro’ field glasses – pilot and officer of

 

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health come on board – latter meets Dr

Mc Master who conducts him over vessel,

quite proud of sanitary condition of

passengers – is presented with a clear bill

of health – no sickness of any account & not

a death during voyage, “May God be always

praised”!!!  Same evening Capt Leggoe

superintendant of harbour & and A. Searey come

on board guests at our table – met M.M.

Cecilia at Lusitania – 7 passengers go

ashore at 7.30. for sightseeing, great

cheering & bustle.  Address to Captain,

great applause.

            Sunday 15^th only 20 at service.

Parson makes doleful complaints to Srs

of non-devotion of passengers, they endeavour

to excuse defaulters. Two Belgians

go ashore in hope of being in time for

Mass – promise to pray for us when

before God’s Holy Altar.  No evening

service from Rev Mr Westre but much

singing of Moody & Sankeys psalms by

 

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some of the Anglican ladies.

            Monday.  Early in the morning

sight homeward bound Lusitania

which came in late previous evening &

cast anchor at a little distance from

Garonne – Chief Officer, 1^st Engineer

And Purser set out in small boat to visit

Sister ship, breakfast there & bring back

for tiffin Chief Officer of Lusitania.

beautiful bright day, sea like a polished

mirror “not a breath the green wave to curl”

Capt Wilson & family go ashore – great cheer-

ing & waving of kerchiefs, weigh anchor

at 3.20 p.m.  beautiful evening.  Setting

Sun worth seeing – go on deck after dinner

ship still coasting Australia, so near that

it is almost frightening – do not appear to be

more than a mile from cliffs.

            Tuesday 17^th. Sea pretty rough,

out of sight of land.  Melbourne passengers

quite busy packing up.

18^th Cast anchor at Port Philip.

 

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Busy all morning seeing luggage etc. to

rights – at noon M.M. Cecilia comes out in

tender & gets on board the Garonne – welcomes

us warmly to Australia.  We spend a week

in Melbourne, during which time good kind

priests & nuns vie in showing attention

foremost among them.  Dear England

Father Ryan of St. Mary’s, Father Quin of St

Patrick’s & Father Dunne of Hobard Town,

We shall always retain most grateful re-

collection of these good clergymen as well as

the nuns of St Hilda & Abbotsford. Met

many old friends who seem delighted

to do something for us.

            Thursday 25^th.  Embark in the Albion

for the land of our adoption – meet several

of the Garonne passengers who hail us with

delight – rough night – crowds see us on

board & wave us a last adieu. Weather

continues rough until Sunday when it

increases & on Sunday night we “rocked

in the cradle of the deep” to some purpose

 

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getting round by the Solander rock

fearful night, many made up their

minds that they were going down very

few slept – morning breaks very dull &

dark – all anxious - at 10 a.m. suns peeps

thro’ clouds & all things assume a brighter

aspect – at noon sight land – grand scenery.

Snow-capped summits of Southern Alps

rear their giant heads to clouds – into

Foveaux Strait – sight Stewart’s Island

cast anchor there for night.

            Tuesday. Anchor outside Bluff

go ashore to Port Chalmers to have

letters posted – a beautiful & spacious

harbour – Dr Morau, Bishop of Dunedin

comes down for Srs, takes them up in the

train – scenery between Port Chalmers &

Dunedin a distance of 8 or 10 miles, a

perfect fairyland – on arriving at

Dunedin has us driven to Dominican

Convent where we are most cordially

welcomed & entertained by the dear

 

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Nuns – leave at 2 p.m. & return to the

Albion accompanied by his Lordship and

Father Larkin.  They come on board & stay

some time with us.  Dr Moran gives us

his solemn blessing & Father Larkin remains

until the last moment.  This Rev. gentleman

is a fine specimen of an Irish Clergyman

and reflects much credit on the dear old

country.

            Thursday 2^nd. Arrive at Port

Lyttleton – beautiful harbour & pretty

Town – several people Irish & old inhabi-

tants of Hokitika come down to see us

amongst others a most amiable Catholic

family who were enthusiastic about

the Srs. Mrs Mulligan before leaving

presented Rev. Mother with an exquisite

valenciennes fall for the Altar of our

future chapel which conceals in its

folds a ten pound note – the good lady

thinking it the most delicate way of giving

a donation.  Friday in Cooks Straits

 

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at early dawn & cast anchor near Wellington

- on wharf at 11 a.m.  Rev. Mother M.M.

Gertrude & Sr M. Xavier are to meet us

with a great many of inhabitants –

drive to Cathedral where we have an

address of welcome from Rev. M. McGuinness

then Benediction of the Most Holy Sacrament

lastly a grand Te Deum.  Leaving Cathedral

have a procession of school children to the

Convent which is gaily decorated for

occasion & where we are greeted right

joyously and heartily.

            On Wednesday are feted by school

children with vocal & instrumental musuc.

            Thursday 9^th leave Wellington in the

Tarauna for Hokitika accompanied by

Rev. Mother, M. M. Gertrude & Fr McGuinness

with many other Catholics from Wellington.

            Weigh anchor at 4.30 p.m.wave a

final adieu to our dear Sisters – rough

night at sea in Cook’s Straits.

            Sunday arrive at Nelson in time

 

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for Mass – Rev. Mother of Srs of ------ with

one of the Srs come for us, spent a day

at their lovely convent – Nelson is a

charming place – grapes grow in the

open air it is so mild, here we meet our

dear good Bishop Dr Redwood who more

than realizes all the good things we heard

of him – he is very gracious & during our

short stay visited us four time ac-

companied by Father Gairou a French

Marist. Father Henberry the great Irish

American missionary was just concluding

one of his Missions – we assisted at Pon-

tifical High Mass & two sermons.

            Monday leave Nelson & are soon

sailing along the West Coast – weather bright

& cheerful.

            Wednesday call at Westport at

4 p.m. at Greymouth 9 p.m. & finally

lie out opposite Hokitika at 11 a.m.

Nov 15^th [October 15^th] Cannot get over the Bar until

high tide so have “to bide our time”.

 

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Messrs Cleary & Clarke members of Catholic

Committee come out to welcome us

and accompany us to shore, get into

tender at 6.30 p.m. & soon are beside

wharf crossing the dreaded Bar so

quickly that we are quite unconscious

of it at the time.  It is now 11.30 yet

notwithstanding the lateness of the hour

we have a vast concourse of the good

people on the wharf who are actually

wild with delight at the arrival of

the Srs. Our saintly Pastor Rev.

Father Martin conducts us to the

carriages in waiting, which wheel

us off rapidly; we are soon domiciled

in a charming cottage with kind

friends to greet us. Deo Gratias.

The Sisters of Mercy

Ennis Collection

The Mercy Archive

October 1878

Joan Dunne

All rights reserved

The Mercy Archive

Manuscript Letter

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Ref:XE/358C

Ireland, Plymouth, New Zealand

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