SHIP ST. LEONARDS. 1877

Press, Volume LXXIII, Issue 22246, 10 November 1937, Page 4

SHIP ST. LEONARDS. 1877

ZO THE EDITOB OF THK PAESS. Sir, —More than 60 years have gone bv since the ship St Leonards, of some 1200 tons, left Gravesend at the end of July. 1877, reaching Wellington on November 10. The voyage was uneventful, the only land seen being Madeira and Cape Horn. Our captain was Richard Todd; first mate. H. A. Fraser; second mate, Mr Gosling; third mate. Mr Oliver. Names of passen£ers recollected by me are; Mrs Wilson and two daughters; Mr and Mrs Berry and a large family of boys and girls; Misses Poulton. Reid, and Woodward, the Rev. D. Dutton, wife, and baby girl; Mr Jeynes and sister; Mr and Mrs Horne and daughter, Stewart Pollen, James Low, George Raikes. Where are they now —Shipmates of mine? The St Leonards was a Shaw-Savlll boat; a few years later she sank in a collision in the English Channel. Captain Todd was a capable and popular man; in after years he held the position of Shipping Superintendent at Napier. . „ Stewart Pollen, a nephew of the well-known Dr. Pollen, of Wellington, was a constant source of joy to all on board —a clever, witty Irishman from Dublin University. The Rev. D. Dutton was a very fine man—liked by everyone; later he held the position of Moderator in the Presbyterian Church. He and I had a pleasant reunion a few years ago; alas, he is now dead. The food was plentiful—quality only so-so. Australian tinned beef and many plum puddings and dried fruits. Quite 100 decrepit old hens were kept in coops on the poop. Many died the first week out.

We had two church services every Sunday, and many concerts at which we all sang, including sailors. We had many jovial card parties on the captain’s capacious cabin over the stern. Champagne was cheap: it, plus soda water, was a favourite beverage. Anyone announcing a birthday had to shout champagne for the whole saloon; I did so a week before we landed. We. younger men were duly visited by Neptune on Crossing the Line —were chalked when caught up the masts (fine two bottles of rum)—also we always gave a hand at mainsail hauls in bouting ship. I shall never forget the nleasii.r of lying forward near the bowsprit—the verv poetry of motion. But as I said. “Whore are they now—Ship mates of mine?”. Can anyone give me any informati dn ?—Yours. etc., W. E. BARTON. Ranglora, November 9. 1937.