ANTIQUE HANDWRITTEN DIARY 19TH CENTURY VOYAGE TO AUSTRALIA BRISBANE ABORIGINES.
Item History & Price
| Reference Number: Avaluer:35086 |
Handwritten account of a voyage from England to Australia on the ship "Cluny Castle'.Including impressions of Australia.
Inscription to front:
'Vol. 1Voyage to Australia & back1886.7Charles Ibbitson8.7.87'
Inscription inside front board:
'For Leonora Beatrice MaudFrom her PapaCharles Ibbitson'
Records show that Mr. Ibbitson's daughter Maud was born in Hunslet, Leeds, England. The journal also includes to references to Leeds.
Description: Cloth cover...ed boards. lined pages. Edges dyed blue. 94 pages used. (Please see end of description for condition etc.)
The following two entries show that the diary was re-written to include extra information after Mr Ibbitson had returned home. Possibly also to make it more presentable for his daughter.
"our pilot left us this morning taking my telegrams & letters, but find on my arrival home the telegrams were never sent. Weather fine."
And:
"we are nearing Pernambuco, South America, near here the Emigrant Ship Kapunda went down and 200 little children perished, but it occurred some time after we passed. Sharks are numerous about here, and no doubt the bodies would soon be eaten up. Weather hot."
First entry:
"Wednesday Nov. 10th 1886 Left South West Indian Dock at 12 o'clock noon, after a very hard parting, especially dear little Beatrice, who fret very much. It rained in torrents, and my clothes got wet through, my over-coat not getting dry for 3 weeks afterwards. Arrived at Gravesend at 2-45 p.m. and anchored there alright. Weather, wet & stormy."
Thursday Nov 11th 1886Slept pretty well considering it was my first nights sleep on board ship, also the first time I slept on a mattress without bed, which was very hard indeed, had a good breakfast, but foundout, our Steward had "sloped" ashore, never to return, after receiving sundry presents from the passengers."
The diary contains many well observed & eloquently described impressions & events. I have included a few examples below in order to give an idea of the diaries contents.
Wedneday 19th Nov/86"it was blowing a gale. The Cook was caught by a sea & dashed against the bulwarks, and got his nose smashed."
Monday 23rd November/86"We saw a lot of porpoises today for the first time and the children were delighted to see them jump in & out of the sea. They followed us for miles, and the sailors say they can swim 500 miles a day easily."
Sunday 28th November/86"After dinner, a sudden squall, accompanied by a dreadful storm, struck the ship as sudden as gun shot & the consternation & screaming of the ladies & children, I shall never forget. The Captain came on the bridge, half dressed, shouting orders like a madman, the officers giving their orders, like demons, the seamen shouting in return & the sea roaring, I felt as though I was in Bedlam. I had to turn out and work with the sailors, and got wet through to the skin and after 5 hours hard work, we got the ship pretty snug & safe and then the Captain gave "grog" to everyone that had been working. Some of the passengers did not sleep for nights after, especially the ladies. No one on shore has the least idea of what a storm is at sea. However we thanked God for our safety. It made us all think of our homes."
Wednesday 8th December/86"Seen a most perculiar fish today called a Dolphin. It is a kind of greenish hue and they look very pretty in the water."
Thursday 9th December/86"We had some shooting today at birds, and I shot a Stormy Petrel, commonly called Mother Carey's Chickens, and the sailors were verydispleased, as they have a superstition, that if you kill them, you have head winds all the voyage, and also that the souls of drowned sailors are in these tiny little creatures. Of course I acted in ignorance, but did not shoot anymore."
Tuesday 21st December/86"..the Captain ordered the boats to be launched and passengers to man them, for turtle hunting..the ladies would not have the turtle killed, so he was sent overboard, and he was soon out of sight".
Thursday 30th Dec/86Ship almost stationary. A lot of Albatross were seen today, so we put the line & hook out covered with pork & one of them made for the pork & the hook stuck in it's bill and we hauled it on board and it was a nice specimen. It weighed 8'3 pounds. They are a fine stately bird and look very pretty flying. They skin them and make ladies tippets of them & the skin of the their claws make tobacco pouches. The bones in their wings make pipe stems. It is rather singular but when they are let loose on deck they cannot fly away. Weather fine."
Friday 31st Dec/86Last day in the old year. We saw a large whale today, he seemed to shake the whole ocean, but soon disappeared out of sight. A minstrel entertainment took place this evening & I was one of the cornermen and sang the "Blue Tail Fly" and our dialogues were very well received. The proceeds were for the sailors orphanage."
Friday 14th Jan'y./87..At night you can see the 4 stars what they call the Southern Cross & they are just the shape of Jesus Christ's Cross. Then you can see the star called Orion. It is the brightest star in the heavens and the further-most away. If a canon ball was sent from it to this earth it would take 2000 years to come down. This star is mentioned in the Psalms Weather fine & cold."
Includes a list of the senior officers and their names.
Some of the places encountered during the voyage:South West Indian Dock [Isle of dogs, London], Gravesend, Ramsgate, Deal, Beachy Head, Isle of White, Portland Bill, Scilly Isles, Bay of Biscay, Portugal, Madeira, Tropics, Cape De Verde, Cape Rouge ~ South America, Brazil, Pernantuco, Straits settlement, Cape of good hope, Tasmania & Coast of Adelaide.
Ships seen on route:Brazillian ship "The Raul"."Pythomene" ~"from San Francisco bound for Cork""The London" ~ "from Newport, Monmouthshire to Penang" The "Sarah Price" ~ "bound for London from Pisagua"
Monday 31st Jany"The passengers are jubilant now that we are in Australian waters, & the sight of land will be a treat to all. Ship going 15 knots an hour. Weather Wet.
Thursday 3rd Feby/87"..making for Cape Howe & Sidney. All the passengers are in high glee, as wee expect to land in the next day or two".
Saturday 5th Feby/87"I was the first one that sighted land for the first time since leaving England with the aid of my glass. It was a joyful sight and all were pleased to see it."-- Sunday 6th Feby/87"..The butcher came and met us and brought our letters, I suppose he thought about serving the ship with fresh meat during stay in port & by bringing our letters he would be sure to get the orders. The letters from England caused a consternation on board & everybody was eagerly listening to hear if their names were being called out, and those that did not get letters were dissapointed.... and then the medical officer of health came with his staff & all passengers & sailors had to assemble on deck to be examined by him. He pronounced us free from disease & said we all look # and none the worse for our long voyage. We arrived in the harbour about 11.30 am and no sooner had we dropped anchor than a custom house officer came on board to look after contraband goods, if any. Sydney Harbour is a beautiful place, it is supposed to be the finest harbour in the whole world....the lighthouse is placed on a summit called Sydney Head..we were shown the exact place where the "Dunbar" was wrecked & out of 500 souls only one man was rescued & he was unconscious when found on the rocks after the tide had gone down..."
There are several pages about the arrival in Sydney.
"We wished the last good bye to the Captain & Officerts & 6 of us started by the SS Maranoa for Brisbane."
Thursday 10th Feby/87"..We arrived at Moreton Island at 11.am.."
7 page transcription of an article about their voyage that appeared in the Sydney Morning Herald, Monday 7th Feby/87
About 25 pages about Brisbane and Australian life. Including several pages about bushmen, shepherds, life in the bush and Aborigines.
"The town of Brisbane is a straggling one, and some parts are very hilly, and some very low low lying. The houses are made of wood, with galvanised roofs, with large verandas, so as to keep the suns rays out of the house. Brisbane is a very hot place, as it is very nearly in the tropic of Capricorn. Most of the people wear very light clothing & the horses wear, sun shades over their heads to keep sun- strokes & apoplexy fits off.
The native born people are as a rule very thin & some tall, and if a slight wind blows they feel the cold more in proportion than we do in England. The aboriginals are a very ugly race and are very desperate in committing crimes. The government prohibit publicans serving them any kind of drink whatsoever, under a heavy penalty, except once in a year, when they hold their annual parliament being over, then starts their Fete #, and after everyone has had a good feasting, dancing comm-ences to horrible strains of music, which finishes up by some of the tribes disagreeing, & this brings on fighting, the results are nine cases out of ten some are speared to death. This is how their annual Parliament ends, commonly called Dobra. The Bushman's life is a deary one..."
"Sound travels a very long way in the bush, & if you get lost & cannot find your way, you have to shout Coo-ee until assistance arrives. It is a common occurance to be bushed, especially *new chums* & should you be missing many days the police send black trackers to find you, their sense of smell is so keen they will find you, if you either be dead or alive. The government pay these black trackers, and when they get their uniform on they think themselves pretty princes...*emigrants"
"They mix the flour with rain water & then throw the dough on the burning embers & that is called damper. Their meat they call "salt junk".. The shepherds are left with flocks of sheep grazing in lonely parts for months at a time & they never see a human being during that time..The men get tired of this life in time & the *Boss gives them a cheque for wages & they come down in the towns and spend it nearly all in drink. They retrace their steps after a good debauch and works another good cheque up & comes down again...the adulterated composition they call drink sends many to the asylum..
"the wives of the aboriginies carry their babies on their backs & smoke short pipes which is a disgusting sight to see & their husbands send them into towns to beg."
"The fruit of Queensland is plentiful & cheap. You can buy a nice pine apple for one penny, grapes are three pence per pound and bananas are two for a halfpenny.."
"The drinking water is very bad & it looks like what we call in England "caukery water". I did not trust any of it in my stomach so had soda water instead."
"One farm we called at was on St. Patricks day (19th March) the owner was an Irishman (and a good one too) so we were invited in to drink to the remembrance of St. Patrick the Irish Saint, he brought as much wine on the table as anyone could drink & served it out just like beer, in half pint glasses. His toast was "St. Patricks pot on you" what that means I confess I really don't know. The bush is infested with wild animals & all kind of vermin. The snakes are a deadly enemy & should you get bitten, you die in four or five hours. While I was there a young man was bitten on his finger & had to lay his finger on a block and his companion chopped it clean off & that saved his life. The Dingoes are a wild dog and cowards they are. They..."
"The Kangeroo is a fine animal, he can run faster than any horse, they take their young with them, in a recess at the bottom of there neck. The Opossum..."
"The birds are pretty & thousands fly together in the bush. Parrots are the most amusing, when they see you coming they begin to talk, the noise almost makes you deaf..."
"I had a narrow escape one day when out in the bush with a friend (Mr. Lassey of Leeds). We were out schooling in the marshes (the places most dangerous for snakes) we were just getting on a log to get across the stream, when we saw Mr. Snake ready to receive us. It just happened the gun was charged, so we fired at him & blew his head clean off. He was a beautiful specimen, so we put him in a hole, to call for him on our way back, as I was going to skin him and have it cured for a belt, but to our dismay he had fled without his head. It appears that a snake never dies while the sun goes down. If you kill one in the morning he does not die until night."
"CopyTestimonial to Dr HoldsworthMedical OfficerShip "Cluny Castle"
Sir, We the undersigned passengers by the Ship "Cluny Castle" from London to Sidney wish to express out thanks & appreciation for the kindness shown to one and all of us. You have been very attentive to our ailments, and by superior skill & amiability have own the golden opinion of all..."
"Brisbane is a very wicked place & emigrants from home have to possess a strong mind & resolution or they would soon fall into evil ways..."
"I bought a pair of boots in Brisbane that cost me 25/ & the same boot could be bought in Leeds for 7/6. Clothing is far inferior in quality & more than double the price than at home. The rent for a four roomed house is 12/ per week, which is made of wood with galvanised roof & when the tropical rains come on, you cannot hear each other speak. One would imagine that eggs & milk are cheap, but..."
"Thoroughbred colonials are great romancers & as a rule very proud. In some instances I have heard them run England down, but they forget that their forefathers were Englishmen."
---
Size:100 x 163mm (roughly 10 x 16cm or 4 x 6.5 inches)
Condition:Contents securely attached with no loose, damaged or missing pages.Wear to covers, particularly the spine. Inner hinge just holding.Foxing to endpapers and odd spot to preliminary
*Welsh Bridge Books & Collectables is a bricks and mortar shop located alongside the River Severn at Shrewsbury, in a beautiful 16th Century building housing three floors of interesting and eclectic books and collectables for sale. If you're in Shropshire please pop by and say hello! All shipping prices, both UK inland and international, include RM Tracking and transit insurance. Thank you.*
Inscription to front:
'Vol. 1Voyage to Australia & back1886.7Charles Ibbitson8.7.87'
Inscription inside front board:
'For Leonora Beatrice MaudFrom her PapaCharles Ibbitson'
Records show that Mr. Ibbitson's daughter Maud was born in Hunslet, Leeds, England. The journal also includes to references to Leeds.
Description: Cloth cover...ed boards. lined pages. Edges dyed blue. 94 pages used. (Please see end of description for condition etc.)
The following two entries show that the diary was re-written to include extra information after Mr Ibbitson had returned home. Possibly also to make it more presentable for his daughter.
"our pilot left us this morning taking my telegrams & letters, but find on my arrival home the telegrams were never sent. Weather fine."
And:
"we are nearing Pernambuco, South America, near here the Emigrant Ship Kapunda went down and 200 little children perished, but it occurred some time after we passed. Sharks are numerous about here, and no doubt the bodies would soon be eaten up. Weather hot."
First entry:
"Wednesday Nov. 10th 1886 Left South West Indian Dock at 12 o'clock noon, after a very hard parting, especially dear little Beatrice, who fret very much. It rained in torrents, and my clothes got wet through, my over-coat not getting dry for 3 weeks afterwards. Arrived at Gravesend at 2-45 p.m. and anchored there alright. Weather, wet & stormy."
Thursday Nov 11th 1886Slept pretty well considering it was my first nights sleep on board ship, also the first time I slept on a mattress without bed, which was very hard indeed, had a good breakfast, but foundout, our Steward had "sloped" ashore, never to return, after receiving sundry presents from the passengers."
The diary contains many well observed & eloquently described impressions & events. I have included a few examples below in order to give an idea of the diaries contents.
Wedneday 19th Nov/86"it was blowing a gale. The Cook was caught by a sea & dashed against the bulwarks, and got his nose smashed."
Monday 23rd November/86"We saw a lot of porpoises today for the first time and the children were delighted to see them jump in & out of the sea. They followed us for miles, and the sailors say they can swim 500 miles a day easily."
Sunday 28th November/86"After dinner, a sudden squall, accompanied by a dreadful storm, struck the ship as sudden as gun shot & the consternation & screaming of the ladies & children, I shall never forget. The Captain came on the bridge, half dressed, shouting orders like a madman, the officers giving their orders, like demons, the seamen shouting in return & the sea roaring, I felt as though I was in Bedlam. I had to turn out and work with the sailors, and got wet through to the skin and after 5 hours hard work, we got the ship pretty snug & safe and then the Captain gave "grog" to everyone that had been working. Some of the passengers did not sleep for nights after, especially the ladies. No one on shore has the least idea of what a storm is at sea. However we thanked God for our safety. It made us all think of our homes."
Wednesday 8th December/86"Seen a most perculiar fish today called a Dolphin. It is a kind of greenish hue and they look very pretty in the water."
Thursday 9th December/86"We had some shooting today at birds, and I shot a Stormy Petrel, commonly called Mother Carey's Chickens, and the sailors were verydispleased, as they have a superstition, that if you kill them, you have head winds all the voyage, and also that the souls of drowned sailors are in these tiny little creatures. Of course I acted in ignorance, but did not shoot anymore."
Tuesday 21st December/86"..the Captain ordered the boats to be launched and passengers to man them, for turtle hunting..the ladies would not have the turtle killed, so he was sent overboard, and he was soon out of sight".
Thursday 30th Dec/86Ship almost stationary. A lot of Albatross were seen today, so we put the line & hook out covered with pork & one of them made for the pork & the hook stuck in it's bill and we hauled it on board and it was a nice specimen. It weighed 8'3 pounds. They are a fine stately bird and look very pretty flying. They skin them and make ladies tippets of them & the skin of the their claws make tobacco pouches. The bones in their wings make pipe stems. It is rather singular but when they are let loose on deck they cannot fly away. Weather fine."
Friday 31st Dec/86Last day in the old year. We saw a large whale today, he seemed to shake the whole ocean, but soon disappeared out of sight. A minstrel entertainment took place this evening & I was one of the cornermen and sang the "Blue Tail Fly" and our dialogues were very well received. The proceeds were for the sailors orphanage."
Friday 14th Jan'y./87..At night you can see the 4 stars what they call the Southern Cross & they are just the shape of Jesus Christ's Cross. Then you can see the star called Orion. It is the brightest star in the heavens and the further-most away. If a canon ball was sent from it to this earth it would take 2000 years to come down. This star is mentioned in the Psalms Weather fine & cold."
Includes a list of the senior officers and their names.
Some of the places encountered during the voyage:South West Indian Dock [Isle of dogs, London], Gravesend, Ramsgate, Deal, Beachy Head, Isle of White, Portland Bill, Scilly Isles, Bay of Biscay, Portugal, Madeira, Tropics, Cape De Verde, Cape Rouge ~ South America, Brazil, Pernantuco, Straits settlement, Cape of good hope, Tasmania & Coast of Adelaide.
Ships seen on route:Brazillian ship "The Raul"."Pythomene" ~"from San Francisco bound for Cork""The London" ~ "from Newport, Monmouthshire to Penang" The "Sarah Price" ~ "bound for London from Pisagua"
Monday 31st Jany"The passengers are jubilant now that we are in Australian waters, & the sight of land will be a treat to all. Ship going 15 knots an hour. Weather Wet.
Thursday 3rd Feby/87"..making for Cape Howe & Sidney. All the passengers are in high glee, as wee expect to land in the next day or two".
Saturday 5th Feby/87"I was the first one that sighted land for the first time since leaving England with the aid of my glass. It was a joyful sight and all were pleased to see it."-- Sunday 6th Feby/87"..The butcher came and met us and brought our letters, I suppose he thought about serving the ship with fresh meat during stay in port & by bringing our letters he would be sure to get the orders. The letters from England caused a consternation on board & everybody was eagerly listening to hear if their names were being called out, and those that did not get letters were dissapointed.... and then the medical officer of health came with his staff & all passengers & sailors had to assemble on deck to be examined by him. He pronounced us free from disease & said we all look # and none the worse for our long voyage. We arrived in the harbour about 11.30 am and no sooner had we dropped anchor than a custom house officer came on board to look after contraband goods, if any. Sydney Harbour is a beautiful place, it is supposed to be the finest harbour in the whole world....the lighthouse is placed on a summit called Sydney Head..we were shown the exact place where the "Dunbar" was wrecked & out of 500 souls only one man was rescued & he was unconscious when found on the rocks after the tide had gone down..."
There are several pages about the arrival in Sydney.
"We wished the last good bye to the Captain & Officerts & 6 of us started by the SS Maranoa for Brisbane."
Thursday 10th Feby/87"..We arrived at Moreton Island at 11.am.."
7 page transcription of an article about their voyage that appeared in the Sydney Morning Herald, Monday 7th Feby/87
About 25 pages about Brisbane and Australian life. Including several pages about bushmen, shepherds, life in the bush and Aborigines.
"The town of Brisbane is a straggling one, and some parts are very hilly, and some very low low lying. The houses are made of wood, with galvanised roofs, with large verandas, so as to keep the suns rays out of the house. Brisbane is a very hot place, as it is very nearly in the tropic of Capricorn. Most of the people wear very light clothing & the horses wear, sun shades over their heads to keep sun- strokes & apoplexy fits off.
The native born people are as a rule very thin & some tall, and if a slight wind blows they feel the cold more in proportion than we do in England. The aboriginals are a very ugly race and are very desperate in committing crimes. The government prohibit publicans serving them any kind of drink whatsoever, under a heavy penalty, except once in a year, when they hold their annual parliament being over, then starts their Fete #, and after everyone has had a good feasting, dancing comm-ences to horrible strains of music, which finishes up by some of the tribes disagreeing, & this brings on fighting, the results are nine cases out of ten some are speared to death. This is how their annual Parliament ends, commonly called Dobra. The Bushman's life is a deary one..."
"Sound travels a very long way in the bush, & if you get lost & cannot find your way, you have to shout Coo-ee until assistance arrives. It is a common occurance to be bushed, especially *new chums* & should you be missing many days the police send black trackers to find you, their sense of smell is so keen they will find you, if you either be dead or alive. The government pay these black trackers, and when they get their uniform on they think themselves pretty princes...*emigrants"
"They mix the flour with rain water & then throw the dough on the burning embers & that is called damper. Their meat they call "salt junk".. The shepherds are left with flocks of sheep grazing in lonely parts for months at a time & they never see a human being during that time..The men get tired of this life in time & the *Boss gives them a cheque for wages & they come down in the towns and spend it nearly all in drink. They retrace their steps after a good debauch and works another good cheque up & comes down again...the adulterated composition they call drink sends many to the asylum..
"the wives of the aboriginies carry their babies on their backs & smoke short pipes which is a disgusting sight to see & their husbands send them into towns to beg."
"The fruit of Queensland is plentiful & cheap. You can buy a nice pine apple for one penny, grapes are three pence per pound and bananas are two for a halfpenny.."
"The drinking water is very bad & it looks like what we call in England "caukery water". I did not trust any of it in my stomach so had soda water instead."
"One farm we called at was on St. Patricks day (19th March) the owner was an Irishman (and a good one too) so we were invited in to drink to the remembrance of St. Patrick the Irish Saint, he brought as much wine on the table as anyone could drink & served it out just like beer, in half pint glasses. His toast was "St. Patricks pot on you" what that means I confess I really don't know. The bush is infested with wild animals & all kind of vermin. The snakes are a deadly enemy & should you get bitten, you die in four or five hours. While I was there a young man was bitten on his finger & had to lay his finger on a block and his companion chopped it clean off & that saved his life. The Dingoes are a wild dog and cowards they are. They..."
"The Kangeroo is a fine animal, he can run faster than any horse, they take their young with them, in a recess at the bottom of there neck. The Opossum..."
"The birds are pretty & thousands fly together in the bush. Parrots are the most amusing, when they see you coming they begin to talk, the noise almost makes you deaf..."
"I had a narrow escape one day when out in the bush with a friend (Mr. Lassey of Leeds). We were out schooling in the marshes (the places most dangerous for snakes) we were just getting on a log to get across the stream, when we saw Mr. Snake ready to receive us. It just happened the gun was charged, so we fired at him & blew his head clean off. He was a beautiful specimen, so we put him in a hole, to call for him on our way back, as I was going to skin him and have it cured for a belt, but to our dismay he had fled without his head. It appears that a snake never dies while the sun goes down. If you kill one in the morning he does not die until night."
"CopyTestimonial to Dr HoldsworthMedical OfficerShip "Cluny Castle"
Sir, We the undersigned passengers by the Ship "Cluny Castle" from London to Sidney wish to express out thanks & appreciation for the kindness shown to one and all of us. You have been very attentive to our ailments, and by superior skill & amiability have own the golden opinion of all..."
"Brisbane is a very wicked place & emigrants from home have to possess a strong mind & resolution or they would soon fall into evil ways..."
"I bought a pair of boots in Brisbane that cost me 25/ & the same boot could be bought in Leeds for 7/6. Clothing is far inferior in quality & more than double the price than at home. The rent for a four roomed house is 12/ per week, which is made of wood with galvanised roof & when the tropical rains come on, you cannot hear each other speak. One would imagine that eggs & milk are cheap, but..."
"Thoroughbred colonials are great romancers & as a rule very proud. In some instances I have heard them run England down, but they forget that their forefathers were Englishmen."
---
Size:100 x 163mm (roughly 10 x 16cm or 4 x 6.5 inches)
Condition:Contents securely attached with no loose, damaged or missing pages.Wear to covers, particularly the spine. Inner hinge just holding.Foxing to endpapers and odd spot to preliminary
*Welsh Bridge Books & Collectables is a bricks and mortar shop located alongside the River Severn at Shrewsbury, in a beautiful 16th Century building housing three floors of interesting and eclectic books and collectables for sale. If you're in Shropshire please pop by and say hello! All shipping prices, both UK inland and international, include RM Tracking and transit insurance. Thank you.*
