A PIONEER’S STORY.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 17569, 20 June 1925, Page 23 (Supplement)

A PIONEER’S STORY.

NORTHAMPTON’S VOYAGE. Extracts from the diary of Mr William Woods, who come to New Zealand by the ship Northampton, 1161 tons, which sailed from South-west India T>oeks. London, on March 18, 1874 Number of souls all tcld, 393. April 29 - I.at. 29.20 S. Long. 18.46 W. Dirt. 163. Tt was wet this morning, and continued until three o’clock in the afternoon. It was very cold, and we were all in a fog, for most of the women had been washing and there were wet clothes everywhere, a very uncomfortable position in such close quarters. At four o’clock we were nearly at a standstill, when the captain ordered a right-about of canvas, to due cast, and iii half an hour we were going eleven knots. The ship now lies all but flat upon her side, skimming through the water like a bird upon the wing. The evening closed with a tight between two women, one of them having hit the other's child. Hence a fight with tongue and finger-nails. April 30— Lat. 36.37 S. Long. 14.53 V’. Dist. ISO miles. At midnight last night I went cn watch. It was a beautiful moonlight night, and one could see for miles around. We passed a barque front Rotterdam for Batavia, fifty-two days out. She spoke to us. Presently the sun burst through for a beautiful morning. The breeze slackened at midday, but in a short time we caught wind and were off again in fine style. Numbers were up on deck when, without warning, we shipped a heavy sea. knocking them down and scattering all over the deck, half drowned. Mav 1, Garland Dav Lat. 37.7 S. Long. 10.37 W. The morning was fine, and all eyes were set to catch a glimpse of land, the land that was now’ visible. It was the island of Tristan da Cunha. We were told that it was about twenty-two miles in circumference, but we saw but little of it. I am longing to see the land of New Zealand myself, a hough we are more comfortable than we were in the hot tropics, and get on better with our food. Wc soaked our meat to-day and made an attempt at a meat pudding. It certainly paid us for our trouble, though we failed to recognise a beef-steak pudding. Another child was buried at sea today, the same whose father had previously had words with the doctor. The parents declare that it died of sheer want and starvation, and L firmly believe it to ho the truth- Our beautiful infant-starver, or what calls itself a doctor, thinks it. grand to tell us that ho feels queer and must go and get wine and biscuits, which lie takes care to do. 1 should net ce sorry to hear that one had stuck in his throat and choked him, tlicu we could start him after the infant. May 2. Lat. 37.33 6. * Long. 0.54 W. List. 222 miles. The day was spent priucipally in trying to catch birds that were following the ship. They managed to hook two, but both got away. They are very powerful on the wing, and with a sudden jerk they snapped the line The people set about boot cleaning ready for the morrow, as the captain w ill not allow any mere fishing to be tlono than is absolutely necessary. He also makes a point of examining the ship throughout every Sunday morning. to see that all is clean and in good trim. Having spent a quiet day we turned in early. Mav 3. Lat. 37.29 S. Long. 3.23 AV. THst. 120 miles. This is Sunday again, and our seventh Sunday aboard ship. Jt ; s cheering to- be told that in forty days or less we may l»e standing once again on solid ground, but it did not look so likely upon going up on deck, io? our boat, instead of going forward, was just rocking from side to side, anrl there was not a breath of wind. This calm continued throughout the diy. and well for us that it was so for had there been a storm I know’ not bow wo should have fared, for n-anv of the sailors were the worse for drink. The captain has lost two eases of brandy, and some is also missing from the stores. The men were ordered to the cabin, where the captain called them to account, while th; soroud and third officers searched the sailors’ bunks, bringing to light sev oral bottles of spirits, which were brought forward. The sailors. course, could do nothing but admi< it. and offered to pay for it. but on© of them said to the captain that no had had plenty before and would have it again, whereupon ho was handcuffed and put into a cell, and the others were dismissed. He had not been in thc< cell long before he began to kick nnd try to burst the door down. He was then taken to an inner closet and locked in. A moment later some of the single girls came rushing off the poop, frightened, as the prisoner had made his escape through the skylight. He was soon collared again aud the leg fetters applied, which kept him quiet, the captain remarking that, hero was poor work for a Sabbat], morn 4he rest of the day was spent in quiet, aud we retired carjv to re*t May 4. Lat. 39.38 S. Long, 00.43 W. Long. 00.43 W. Tho mate has worked it out that wo have made 730 S miles in actual distance. Our good ship is no longer lacking for a breeze. A breeze bad sprung up during the night, and to-day we mado good pace. The wind was strong and cold, giving us cause to use ouT This night was Lorn a little son of ilio sea, a woman having given birth to a little boy. The breeze continued and wo got along rapidly. It gets dark now soon .alter tour o’clock in the afternoon, and we aro early for oar bunks, as the nights arc dark and cold. All well. May 5. Lat. 42.5 S. Long., 40.00 E. , Hist, 256 miles. We are making onwards for New Zealand with ,n will, 'there is not much to while away the time. There has been a bit of tun with the hypocrites who play their games upon th© captain. The weather is now too cold for them to be about the cabin door, so they have made a raid upon th*. cooks, taking up their quarters in the gallies or cook-houses. There is no such thing as offending them, although various attempts to do so have been made. This morning they were ticketed in largo letters—“ I am the Emigrant btorc Grinder. I am Starving.'’ It caused great laugh lor among the passengers, but it failed to shame them, so the water cure was tried. While they were begging ai the gallcv someone up .aloft turned water over them, and they took their

hook like drowned rats, but. 1 oxpoc* to see them there again in the morning- Tile dav clonal with everything cold and dull, and we turned in early lor bed is the Lest pin, -. " *