BUCKINGHAMSHIRE 1839Extracts from the Diary of John Channing, one of the Steerage passengers sent out by the Commissioners to Adelaide on board the "BUCKINGHAMSHIRE". |
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"January 3, 1839 at Sea", Mr Heals the general Superintendent of the Emigrants is a most excellent man and one who is determined that every fraction of the articles shall be fulfilled. I hear he is treated with great coldnefs by the Officers of the ship January 5 - Quarrels and other annoying circumstances which make one miserable on board January 7th - the Gunner discovered to be with the young women at night on pretence of putting out the light. January 22nd - disgraceful conduct of the Officers to the young women, they continue to get into their berths at night January 23rd - more disgraceful conduct of the Officers. January 29th - Emigrants feel the effects of the Salt provisions, they draw up a petition to the Doctor for the Medical comfort promised - which he refused, saying they wanted to get drunk indecent behaviour of the Officers and consequently of the low lived Sailors to the Women. Some of them very well but generally they are a bad set, being described by one of their own number as the rakings of Hell, Bedlam and Newgate. January 30th - the Doctor from obstinacy stops the Lime juice for the Emigrants to petition this Lime juice was served out about nine times, but it ought to have been oftener, at least twice a week Rum Cakes and other things given to the Young Women by the villianous mates which some refused and others accepted. March 13 - the Captain owing our Superintendant Mr Heals a grudge, wished to supervise but the Emigrants stood firm to him, hissing and hooting the Captain who soon found his mistake and was glad to make his escape into the Cabin March 22nd - arrived in Holdfast Bay - almost every one on board had quarrelled in the Cabin and intermediate as well as Steerage. Received 21/12/39, E.J Wheeler Esquire, South Australian Co. New Broad Street, London PRG 174/1 Angas Papers - Quarto Series - No's 1001 - 1499 Restricted, Reel 3, Working Copy - POSITIVE |
