A PIONEER’S STORY.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 17575, 27 June 1925, Page 23 (Supplement)

A PIONEER’S STORY.

NORTHAMPTON’S VOYAGE. Extracts from the diary of Mr "Wit- j liani Woods, who came to New Zealand by the ship Northampton, 1161 tons, which sailed from South-west India Docks, London, on March 18, 1874. Number ol souls all told. 393. May G. Lat. 42.30 H. Long. 8.12 E. Dist. 190 miles. Tile morning was wet and cold, and gave every prospect of a miserable day. We had any amount of wet clothe •; hanging about, and little chance of drying them. J cannot think of a more inconvenient place than on board ship ior little children on a eolcl. wet day. There is fire on board, it is true, and if you pass at quick pace you may catch a glimpse of it at the cook-house, and if you do- present the cooks with something each time you went near you might get on ; otherwise you stand a poor chance . The wind has continued strong and we make fast progress towards the new cotintry. A great many birds follow our ship, but they are too old to be caught with our lines, although they quickly devour any food thrown overboard. Late at night the wind became yet stronger, and the greater part ol our canvas had to come down, all hands working throughout the night. May 7. Rain again this morning, which continued all day, making plenty of work for the sailors. We remarked • that it was ratlier rough, and, of course, they

laughed and told us that we had seen nothing yet. but have got it all to come. For my part aJI Jack says will not go down, but the sailors tel' us that sharks and whales will come alongside the ship and feed in open water, and many other tales that it would be better to believe than be kept on board until they came to pass. There -was very little of note to-day, it continued raining and we got to our bunks in good time, hoping for fairer weather on the morrow. May 8. Slipped up on deck, got a big bump, and lost count. Mav 9. Lat. 43 12 S. Long. 23.30 J 5. Dist. 250 miles. Rose at six this morning. St was wet and cold, and we were bowling along merrily when a sudden change took place, and the ship began reeking heavily. It was very unpleasant. and one got knocked about a good deal. The captain gave orders to warn the wheel to turn her nose a

hit when she lay on her side, and the rolling teased. A\ e have some charcoal stoves below, and they give everyone the headache, and that seems all the good we get from them, so to bed. May 10. '1 liis was again a miserable day. There wjs no attempt made at church service. The sailors wore workiw all day. (hie of the yards broke, and a great chain came tumbling down, and out steward, who was passing, had a. narrow escape, fortunately getting off with a bruised shoulder. Nearly the whole of the canvas is reefed, on account of the high seas, but- m the. evening the rain ceased and we bad a beaut iful st at light night, and got a bit. of a walk on deck bolore going below to bed. Mav 11. Lot. 43.555. Long. 34.00Tv Dist. 210 idles. This morning brought a change in the weather. Jt was line and dry, and tlu> sun was shining brightly. Every body is washing clothes, for wo have to make «mr bay while the sun shines, having learnt what it is to be confined in so small a space with a lot of , wet clothes hanging about our ears, so we vent to work with a will to make things comfy. -Many tried to catch the birds with lines such as we used for pike fishing ik Home. They have to be baited with pork'. The birds seem to be expert:;, for they get the pork without the book, leaving the anglers to admire them in the distant*. It came on to rain again in the evening, and drove us to quarters, j May 12. I Lat. 43.565. | Long. 36.18 E. ! Dist. 95 miles. We had very little sleep, if any, lost night. The wind failed”from last evening, and wo have been rolling about most dreadfully, amid a great tumbling of tinware." This lia.s'Vontilined all day. Ibo bird fishers were, again busy, and the sea, being calm, was morefavourable to tiie sport, which, for nry pari, they were welcome to, for the lam was pouring clown in torrents.