Old newspaper tells of voyage

Press, 10 February 1982, Page 13

Old newspaper tells of voyage

From

KEN COATES

in London

The grandson 6f the master of a sailing ship which took immigrants to Auckland 120 years ago invites descendants to write to him so he can tell them of conditions during the long voyage.

He is Mr Ernest Lean, of Godstone. Surrey, whose grandfather Capt. Richard May Lean, was the skipper of the Barque Blundell.

Mr Lean has unearthed in family papers a yellowing copy of the long defunct Auckland newspaper. “The Daily Southern Cross," dated August 2, 1862, which records the arrival of the teak-built East Indiaman from London after a 154-day voyage.

The paper also prints a letter from the BV2 passengers (the half was a child) thanking the master and his officers on what “was a long

and troublesome passage” of head and light winds. The passengers were. George Craig. Mary Craig. James Keegan, Francis Connelly. John Breen, Joseph Long. John Thoms, John Sinclair Gilroy, and William Craig, the child.

Mr Lean says that the newspaper in an editorial warns immigrants of a grave shortage of meat looming in the face of increasing English and German immigration and an expected influx of gold diggers. “It makes amusing reading today, in view of New Zealand's subsequent food output,” Mr Lean says. His grandfather's father fought with Lord Nelson at the Battle of Trafalgar, losing a leg which was shot away by a cannon ball. Early' immigrant descendants interested can write to him at Lynton, Eastbourne Road. Godstone, Surrey.