TRAFALGAR - two voyages to Adelaide in 1850

Tragically, there had been 17 deaths en route. According to "The Adelaide Times," Monday April 1 1850 No. 109, Vol II Page 2 Column e: "The following deaths took place on board the Trafalgar: Stephen Thomas, exhaustion consequent on sea sickness; Emma Leason, dysentery; George Green, ditto; Owen Zurau, eating part of a blister which had been applied to the nape of his neck; Mary Sheridan, hooping cough; Leason (infant), inanition; Smith’s infant, premature birth; Ann Mansbridge, diarrhae; P. Corrigan, hooping cough, Elizabeth Hayman, do; Thomas Box, ditto; Eliza Gallienci ditto; Ellen Howell, ditto; Webday’s infant, inanition; Marshall, premature birth; Caroline Webday, dysentery; A. Oldroyd, typhus fever. Fourteen of the above are young children" One can imagine a mother’s dilemma confined below decks with young children in the stagnant space, with the contagious whooping cough, dysentery and typhus on board. Inanition is starvation from lack of food and the intense heat crossing the equator could have lead to the death from diarrhea. Extracts from "Observations of an Early Colonist During the Years 1850-1852" edited by Eleanor Wells (Mortlock Pamphlets 994.231 P776b).

TRAFALGAR from London July 2nd, 1850 via Gravesend with Captain William Wright, arriving Adelaide October 26th 1850 (Register Oct 28, 1850) We understand the following passengers also came to Adelaide on this voyage: Mr. Platts and niece, Mr. and Mrs. Gretton, Mr. and Mrs. Sismey, Mr Wyld surgeon-superintendent and Lady in cabin, and 290 Government emigrants, including: Mrs. Leason aged 30 on Jan. 4th 1850 We are still seeking a copy of this complete passenger list. If you have a copy please email it to me (email address at bottom of page) ANDREW JAMES POLLOCK emigrated on the "Trafalgar" on the July-October 1850 voyage. He writes: Dinner consists of mutton killed on board, or preserved meat, soup, sea pie, or fowls, and potatoes, with a pudding of raisins and almonds. On Sunday the soup is replaced by pickled salmon. The salmon is most excellent and so is the soup invariably, also the preserved provisions. I own that I can’t get over my disgust at the mutton and pork killed on board, though as good as can be, and the fowls (ducks and elderly hens) are frightfully scraggy. There is also much to amuse one on shipboard … at 4 o’clock in the morning the First Mate, Mr Draper, calls me, with others if I am inclined. I then get up, putting on – pray, don’t be shocked – nothing but that flannel-coloured dressing gown you chose for me, go forward to the bow of the vessel, and don’t be shocked again, and heartily pumped upon by one of the jolly tars. (A washing down with cold water using a fire hose). If not so inclined, we all rise at seven bells, half past seven, and after the usual toilet duties, assemble at breakfast…. After breakfast we adjourn to the quarter deck where I generally take a good long solitary walk for some miles I should think, and as soon as I am tired of this, I go forward to the bows, and seated upon the cat reader, watch the vessel plunging into, and rising over the waves – a grand sight truly…. This morning from the forecastle there was a great shout from the forecastle "there she blows" and rushing on deck we saw two fine young wales jumping about close to the vessel. They were about 20’ long and of the finback description …. The flying fish afford constant amusement …. (At the back of the diary transcript is a letter written by Andrew James Pollock to his mother after his arrival in Adelaide, giving her the benefit of his experiences at sea, and advising her and his sisters on their travel plans). I write this for the sole purpose of giving you directions as far as possible for your guidance on preparing for the voyage and your residence here. First, as to the time when you should come out … By starting (at the latter part of July) you have less chance of being exposed to the fearful gales, prevalent at the Cape of Good Hope during Equinox …. Earlier in the year you catch the winter south of the Cape, and the temperature in close latitudes is very severe – especially after experiencing a tropical and vertical sun. …. Don’t take a stern cabin – you have no idea of the motion there compared with what is experienced near the door, in case of a wave coming in. A water closet is indispensable for ladies. The best plan is to get two smaller cabins made into one near the centre of the ship, and all three of you occupy that. The berths should be lengthwise of the ship, and you should be with heads to the stern. Over each at your feet should be a small bracket to contain a vessel in case of sickness, and your being unable to leave your beds… Underneath the berths you should store your outfits and what you are likely to want, in galvanised cases. These are invaluable as they keep everything from being mildewed … Those things that you do not want on the voyage, will go in the hold, but there put your clothes in galvanised boxes which have been soldered up, as they could be damaged otherwise by water… See that all holes are stopped up in your cabin, also that under the door is close, for towards the end of the voyage, the rats are a great annoyance. They don’t hurt anyone, but they eat up your books etc. Few ships are without them, and I have found them nesting under my feet upon awakening! Also for this reason, you should have your port window fitted with a little piece of gauze wire, removable at pleasure, as the rats almost always come in at night through the port windows.