Joseph and Rebecca Newman trip from England- Parents of Lily Newman - wife of Harry Elmar Johnson The barque Scottish Lassie, Captain J.D.B.Couteur, embarked 268 statute adults, equal to 304 souls, and a crew of 33, on February 19, 1879. in the East India Docks. The following morning the ship was lowed Greenhithe, for adjustments of compassed. During the night a heavy fall of snow took place and on the morning of the 21 st, the barque presented a very pretty appearance-from truck to deck, her shrouds, masts and yards were covered with snow and with the rising of the sun, presented a remarkable spectacle to the home-leaving voyagers. Gravesend was soon reached by the aid of a tug boat, and the dispatching officers at once boarded; the inspection was soon concluded, and the crew put through their boat drill. At 5 p.m. the Lassie was towed down the river and a hearty response made to the parting cheers of those on shore. On the 22nd the pilot left the ship which, having cast off tow-ropes, proceeded on her voyage. The Isle of Wight was passed the following fore‹noon; the Channel Pilot was landed off Plymouth at 9 a. m. on the 24 th; the English coast was lost sight of on the 25th, the barque running off at 10 knots an hour; on March 9, the infant son of Mrs Evans - nearly 11 months, died. The child had been suffering when the vessel sailed, and the cause of death was pneumonia. The ship her Majesty, was hailed on March 13, and letters sent home by her. The Equator was crossed on the 18th, 22 days out; and the fourth weeks run showed 977 miles after experiencing two-days of light baffling winds and calms, with torrents of rain. A second death in the person of a German infant, aged seven months, had taken place the cause being bronchochen. On the 1st April, the ship River Lund, 93 days out from San Francisco, bound for Cork was signalled. A succession of winds from S to S. E. necessitated several tacks, which materially retarded progress, the weather, however, kept remarkably fine and the sea perfectible smooth during the whole time. The slight ailments of the passengers soon were things of the past, and the healthy temperature of 60 ° and a brisk dry atmosphere infused quite a new life into all. On Saturday 29th the first amateur concert and recital entertainment was inaugurated, and passed off remarkably well, affording pleasure to the passengers. Some of the songs were sung in character, and the horn‹pipe danced in good style. The affair proved such a success that a repetition was demanded. The band, consisting of violins, fifes, flutes, and concertinas, was quite a treat. The month of April was characterised by a continuance of favourable winds and weather, during of which fair progress had been made. From the 20th to the 27th the most unusual weather, for those latitudes, was experienced: the wind being moderate from the northward, beautiful, mild, genial weather, the sea like a pond, hardly a ripple, and the ship travelling eight to ten knots an hour with scarcely perceptible motions. On the 20th an open‹air concert took place with greater success, mainly due to the fact that the fair sex were engaged in it, some of the single girls rendering valuable assistance. On May 12 a heavy gale from S. to S. W. was encounted, during which fierce squalls passed, and the sea running high occasionally broke on board. Everything movable about the decks were sent adrift, but fortunately, by daylight, the gale has subsided and things were soon put to rights. On Monday, May 26 (91 days out). Cape Howe bore N. W. Progress for the previous fortnight had been far from encouraging, baffling winds from N, E, to S, E. of varied strength, with lull, damp, and at times, foggy weather, ever since approaching within 100 miles of the Tasmanian coast being experienced. The first birth occurred on April 10, Mr Walker being the happy father of a boy. On the 11th, a newly married woman named Mrs Berry, aged 22 years died. The deceased had been in a delicate state of health since embarking. The 24th was a beautiful, mild, calm day, and being her Majesty's birthday, another open_air concert took place, several of the singers showing marked signs of improvement. In the evening blue lights were displayed, and rockets discharged in honour of the day. On the 22nd, the whole day being almost a calm one, the ship kept company with the barque Loch Lee, Captain Black, from London, bound for Auckland, 82 days out. On June 3, a glimpse of Mount Warning was obtained, at a distance from 50 to 60 miles. Ringing cheers from all spoke their feelings on sighting a part of their adopted country. From the 15th May, adverse winds had retarded the ship¹s progress. On June 4 a schooner was sighted, bound south, and at midnight on Thursday 5th, passed Cape Capricorn, the pilot boarding at daylight. The ship anchored at 10. a. m. on Friday, June 6, 1879. The immigrants by the Scottish Lassie arrived at the wharf on Thursday afternoon June 12, at 5 o'clock. Dr Salmond, on his second visit to the ship, found the patients in the hospital much improved, and having been satisfied that no danger would accrue the public health, granted pratique. The ship was exceptionally clean in every part, and the health officer¹s instructions on this subject had evidently been faithfully carried out. On Tuesday evening the Scottish Lassie was towed up the river, and anchored under Central Island. The disembarkation began about noon on Thursday, the luggage and single men occupying the barge; and at half past 2 o'clock the Fitzroy, crowed with the remaining immigrants, and having the punt in tow, left the vessels side. A large number of the general public were at the wharf to see the new arrivals. They seem a likely lot of colonists, and it is to be hoped they will soon find employment, though it must be confessed the prospects are rather gloomy. There seems to have been a good feeling throughout the voyage between Captain Le Couteur and his passengers, who have presented that gentleman with an address expressive of thanks for the kindness and consideration he had shown to all on board. the officers of the ship are also highly spoken of in the address. Captain Le Couteur has requested us to thank the passengers for the feeling manner in which they acknowledged his services, and wishing them all health, success, and prosperity.
The following is an analysis of particulars concerning the passengers: |