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1875 ARRIVAL
OF THE
SHIP 'HALCIONE,'
WITH
IMMIGRANTS.
The full rigged iron ship 'Halcione', 878 tons,
in the New Zealand service, 1869-96. She completed 26 voyages to New
Zealand until wrecked on 8th January 1896 in Fitzroy Bay, Wellington
Heads, 90 days out from London with a cargo of general merchandise.
The Halcione was built in 1869 by R. Steele of Greenock and acquired by Shaw
Saville the same year. 191.7 feet long, 29.4 feet breadth, 18.8 feet depth. She was built for J Parker & Co. and acquired by Shaw Saville & Albion in
1880. In 1888 her rig was reduced to that of a barque.
Passenger
List
The following is a transcript and newspaper
images from the 'Taranaki Herald' Saturday September 4th
1875, pg 2. Go to
to see the newspaper.
The 'Halcione' departed London/Gravesend 25 May 1875 and arrived New
Plymouth and on to Wellington 5 September 1875 under the command of Capt. J.E.
Croker
Shipping Intelligence
New Plymouth Arrivals
Sept. - Halcione, 842 tons, Croker, from London, with 290 Government immigrants. - Brown & Co. agents.
Voyage Account
The ship Halcione arrived the roadstead last Thursday, making the passage from Gravesend in ninety-nine days. She brings general cargo for Wellington, and 220 immigrants for this Province, the latter being under the charge of Dr. P. Lee. Captain Croker reports leaving East India Docks on the 25th May, and anchoring at Gravesend on the 26th, where she embarked her emigrants. On the 27th the ship passed a survey, and a family of five persons with measles were sent on shore. The pilot was landed at Deal on the 28th; and on the 30th landed the Channel pilot at Star Point. On the 29th caught the S.E. trades, but well to the southward and strong; the ship just clearing the Brazillian coast all the way down. On the 5th July tacked off Albatross Island for a distance of thirty miles. On the 20th July passed Tristan da Cunha, and experienced fresh westerly and northerly winds with fine weather until longitude 53 deg. E. when the weather underwent a complete change; the barometer rising and falling suddenly, with a heavy sea, which continued with strong occasional gales. The barometer at times fell as much as 4.10 in the hour. On the 14th spoke the captain of the Rodney for Wellington. On the 15th a gale from the S.W. sprang up, which lasted six hours, when the wind blew a perfect hurricane, the sea being terrific. Hove-to at 8.30 am. From thence the ship had light winds up to her arrival. The doctor of the ship, that just two cases of measles were discovered, which in two days increased to twelve. He accordingly turned the largest boat on the skids into a hospital, and so isolated the patients as much as possible from the rest of the passengers during the time of their illness. Since then the immigrants have enjoyed excellent health.
Flattering Testimonials
To Captain J.E. Croker, of the Ship Halcione
Dear Sir,- We the undersigned, passengers and emigrants on board the Halconie, desire to express to you our grateful sense of unvarying courtesy and kindness throughout our passage to New Zealand. Amidst the somewhat trying occurrences of life on board ship, your good sense and forbearance have always conduced much to the comfort and happiness of those sailing under your charge. We wish specially to thank you for your thoughtful care of the sick at all times, and feel that we greatly owe the general health of the ship to your unremitting exertions. In the very heavy weather your skill rendered us not safe but comfortable.
Before leaving your ship we desire once more to thank you, and at the same time to ask you to accept a sextant, as a small token of our esteem and regard.
Passengers:-
W.C.B. Cave
J.L. Harris
Rev. C.O. Mules
I. Northworthy
R. Parrington
Rev. J.F. Teakle
W. Woodford
R.G. Bauchope
W.M. Summerhays
M. Summerhays, juni.
J. Tolan
A. Wheeler
and 150 emigrants,
Off Taranaki, New Zealand,
August 31st 1875
______________________________________________________
To the Captain and Officers of the Ship Halcione
Gentleman,- We, the undersigned Swiss emigrants, wish, before leaving you and your ship, to tender out sincere thanks for the care and kindness you have shewn to us during our passage to New Zealand.
As the most of us were not conversant with the English language, we may have caused you occasionally more trouble than our fellow - emigrants, but you have always treated us with the greatest patience and kindness. As there are likely some more of our countrymen to follow us soon, we hope they may be fortunate enough to make the voyage on board as good a ship as yours, and treated as well as we have been.
We feel much obliged to Mr R. Bauchope, the doctor's assistant and chief constable, for his great assistant and attention to the sick and suffering at any time when called upon, and assure him that we shall always most thankfully remember him.
Wishing you every success in your future career, we remain, gentlemen, ever gratefully yours,
F. Hunger
Nicholaus Heulis
Jacob Meuli
John Martin Parli
Bartholomew Hunger
Richard Casper
Christian Durisch
Wieland Hunger and family
T. Aleman and family
Wieland Gredig, mother, and three sisters,
Rudolf Hunger and sister
On board the Halcione, off the coast of New Zealand, 31st August, 1875
Arrival
The ship 'Halcione' was signalled at the flagstaff on Thursday afternoon, and preparations were immediately made for boarding her. At five o'clock, a boat containing Dr. O'Carroll (Health Officer), Mr. Hulke (Immigration Officer), Captain Holford (Harbour Master), Mr. Bennett left the shore, and met the vessel about eight miles out. On hailing her, the Captain reported a clean bill of health, and therefore she was immediately boarded; and the vessel gradually neared the roadstead. The boat, after remaining alongside about half-an -hour, returned again leaving Captain Holford, Mr Hulke, Dr. O'Carroll, and Mr. Bennett on board.
At about six o'clock yesterday morning the 'Halcione' dropped her anchor, and a cargo boat put off from the beach at about the same time. The single girls were put in the first boat, and as adequate accommodation had not been provided for the purpose, the trans-shipment of them was very difficult. The ladder was at the ship's side, down which all who landed had to descend and wait their opportunity on the bottom steps to drop into the arms of a couple of men, who were in the boat below in readiness to receive them. As there was a heavy sea on, the boat would sometimes rise above the level of the steps, and at the next moment be about ten feet below. If a landing chair had been rigged up in readiness, it would have been more convenient and less dangerous for the females.
The second boat brought a number of the married couples, but on reaching the shore if was found that the sea was too rough to venture for more. It is unfortunate that the whole of the passengers were not landed, but the 'Halcione' was rolling very much, and was dragging her anchor all the time the cargo boat was alongside. Unluckily the steamer 'Lady Bird' arrived and was tendered before the ship, thus the time lost at the steamer shut out all hope of getting to the 'Halcione' again. About ten o'clock the weather became rather squally, and the wind blowing strongly from the N.E., the 'Halcione' had to put to sea with the bulk of her consignment of immigrants still on board, and those who were landed had neither bedding nor luggage-only in fact just what they stood up in. Captain Holford and Mr. Bennett are on board, and as the weather shows signs of clearing up, the chances are that the vessel may again make for the roadstead.
There have been eight deaths of children on the 'Halcione' all being under two years of age, and three births. The vessel is reported as remarkably clean. Two very flattering testimonials have been presented to the captain and officers of the vessel-one by the cabin passengers, of whom there are twelve, and one by Swiss immigrants, which will be found on our shipping column. We are not aware however, of Dr. Percy Lee, the ship's surgeon of the vessel receiving one. Of the immigrants for Taranaki, twenty-two single women were landed, two Swiss families, and all the Swiss single-girls, and one Swiss adult who has been in the province before. English families equal to 39˝ statute adults were landed and located in the barracks, whilst four families (equal to 8˝ statute adults) nominated immigrants, who landed, were at once taken charge of by their friends.
The immigrants that were landed seems to be very comfortable and perfectly satisfied with the accommodation provided for them at the barracks; also expressing their satisfaction at the provisions, saying that they only wished those on board could have partaken of some of the excellent dinner that they had had provided for them. They also speak in the highest terms of Captain Croker, stating that he looked after the care of the passengers in a most fatherly manner; and some of the mothers say that they owe the lives of their children to his kindness. It is very gratifying to hear the Captain spoken of in this manner; and as a portion of the families have been separated, and those landed have all their clothing and bedding on board, it is very probable that Captain Croker will again show in and land the remainder of his passengers for this port.
Surname Name Age Occupation County/Country
Alleman Johannes 44 farm labourer Switzerland
Elizabeth 32
Eva 6
John 4
Sebastian 3
Allenby Henry 33 farm labourer Lincolnshire
Sarah 26
Thomas 6
Lucy 4
Joseph 3
Annie 1
Allum James 39 labourer Middlesex
Jane 38
Mary Jane 17 servant Middlesex T/SW
James 11
Ashley Francis 38 farm labourer Lincolnshire
Hannah 34
Francis 6
Barron John 26 farm labourer Lincolnshire
Mary 23
Amelia 1
Blackburn C W 25 farm labourer Lincolnshire
Jane 21
Bocock Wm 21 farm labourer Lincolnshire
Betsy 20
Borman John 42 farm labourer Lincolnshire
Hettey 41
Burkett James 43 farm labourer Lincolnshire
Eliza 33
Eliza 11
Jas. 5
John 3
Ann 1
Bushell Thomas 32 farm labourer Lincolnshire
Eliza 26
Thomas 10
George 8
Arthur 6
Mary 4
Susan 3
Wm 1
Bushell Robert 30 farm labourer Lincolnshire
Elizabeth 25
Carmichael Andrew 35 ironmonger Stirlingshire
Annie 31
Collinghood William 31 farm labourer Lincolnshire
Jane 35
Eliza 9
Geo. 7
Jane 4
Mary 1
Cox Thomas 31 farm labourer Lincolnshire
Elizabeth 29
Elizabeth 3
Crowley W. 26 farm labourer Lincolnshire
Mary Jane 20
Single Women Cartwright Mary 16 servant Lincolnshire Cartwright Fanny 12 servant Lincolnshire Chatterton Charlotte 23 servant Lincolnshire Chatteron Emily 18 servant Lincolnshire Collingwood Sarah E 14 servant Lincolnshire Fawcett Sarah 26 servant Lincolnshire Feek Annie 14 servant Norfolk Hopkinson Eliza 16 servant Notts Hunger Veronica 22 cook Switzerland Gredig Anna C 59 servant Switzerland Gredig Margaret 23 servant Switzerland Gredig Ann M 21 servant Switzerland Gredig Ann 19 servant Switzerland Langley Maria 12 servant Lincolnshire Longstaff Hannah 24 Servant Lincolnshire Longstaff Emma 17 servant Lincolnshire Longstaff Fanny 16 servant Lincolnshire Longstaff Louisa 14 servant Lincolnshire Longstaff Miriam 12 servant Lincolnshire Lowe Frances 14 servant Lincolnshire Quickfall Anne 12 servant Lincolnshire
Taranaki Herald Wednesday 6 September 1875
The Halcione Immigrants. - We learn by telegram that the 'Halcione' has
arrived in Wellington, and that her immigrants were transhipped to the s.s.
Taranaki, which sailed for this port yesterday, and may be expected
tomorrow.
Taranaki Herald Saturday 11 September 1875 page 2
Arrived. Sept. 9 - Taranaki, s.s., 299 tons, Lloyd, from Southern Ports. Passengers - Captain Holford, Messrs Bennett and
Oxenham and 139 immigrants.
Mr Hulke, Immigration Agent met them on the beach. They were at once taken to the barracks, where breakfast awaited them, and of which they were quite prepared to partake. The immigrants are a good specimen of English laborers, and a large number of them have already been engaged. The following is a list of the names of all those that arrived here on Thursday last:-
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Passenger list for Halcione, 189 persons, who arrived in New Plymouth last Thursday:
Boulton George 27 Farm Labourer Lincolnshire Boulton Ann 26 Boulton Thomas 5 Boulton Charles 3 Cartwright William 40 Shepherd Lincolnshire Cartwright Charlotte 32 Cartwright Emma 10 Cartwright Louisa 6 Chatterton Arthur 35 Farm Labourer Lincolnshire Chatterton Mary 32 Chatterton Rosanna 9 Chatterton Willie 7 Chatterton Walter 4 Clough Frank 48 Labourer Lincolnshire Clough Eliza 42 Clough Elizabeth 10 Clough Edward 7 Clough Tom 4 Dobson William 50 Farm Labourer Lincolnshire Dobson Sarah 41 Dobson Alice 10 Dobson Richard 8 Dobson Kate 6 Dobson Jane 3 Davidson George 48 Farm Labourer Lincolnshire Davidson Ann 45 Fawcett George 55 Farm Labourer Lincolnshire Fawcett Ann 40 Fawcett Robert 6 Fawcett George 5 Fawcett David 3 Fawcett Mary 1 Feek William 49 Farm Labourer Norfolk Feek Maria 33 Feek Betsy 11 Feek William 9 Feek Emma 6 Feek Jane 4 Feek Louisa 1 Hellier George 55 Farm Labourer Devon Hellier Elizabeth 36 Hellier William 2 Hopkinson William 55 Farm Labourer Notts Hopkinson Sarah 40 Hopkinson Thomas 9 Hopkinson Harriet 6 Hopkinson Fanny 5 Hopkinson Charles 2 Ireland William 26 Farm Labourer Yorkshire Ireland Eliza 24 Ireland Harriet 4 Ireland Thomas 2 Ireland Annie 1 Kendal George 32 Farm Labourer Lincolnshire Kendal Hannah 31 Kendal Mary 8 Kendal Frederick 5 Kendal John 3 Kendal Thomas 2 Kendal Henry 1 Lacey Francis 35 Farm Labourer Lincolnshire Lacey Sarah 30 Lacey Georgina 10 Lacey Catherine 8 Lacey Elizabeth 7 Lacey Francis 4 Lacey Emma 2 Langley Richard 43 Farm Servant Lincolnshire Langley Hannah 36 Langley Henry 10 Langley Sarah 8 Langley Ernest 1 Langley Frank 10 Langley Alice 9 Langley Wright 7 Langley Stella 5 Langley David 1 Longstaff Tom 47 Farm Labourer Lincolnshire Longstaff Betsy 48 Longstaff Harry 10 Longstaff Charles 8 Longstaff Isaac 8 Longstaff George 3 Longstaff Betsy 1 Looney Ewan 26 Farmer Isle of Man Looney Margaret 24 Looney Ewan 1 Lowe William 43 Labourer Lincolnshire Lowe Mary 37 Lowe Henry 10 Lowe Sarah 8 Lowe Ernest 1 MacKinder John 35 Farm Labourer Lincolnshire MacKinder Sarah 29 MacKinder John 7 MacKinder Thomas 3 Milford John 26 Labourer Devonshire Milford Sarah 24 Milford Thomas 1 Morris Charles 20 Farm Labourer Lincolnshire Morris Ellen 22 Mumby George 30 Labourer Lincolnshire Mumby Sarah 26 Mumby John 6 Mumby Jane 5 Mumby Christopher 3 Mumby William 1 Parkin Edward 34 Timber Carrier Lincolnshire Parkin Ellen 36 Parkin Maria 6 Parkin Ellen 4 Parkin Susannah 2 Parkin Thomas 25 Timber Carrier Lincolnshire Parkin Hannah 23 Parkin Harry 1 Phillips Jesse 25 Shoemaker Lincolnshire Phillips Sarah 29 Phillips Arthur 3 Phillips James 1 Phillips William 28 Blacksmith Hants. Phillips Mary 27 Phillips Mary 2 Phillips Frederick 1 Quickfall Joseph 43 Farm Labourer Lincolnshire Quickfall Mary 40 Quickfall William 6 Quickfall Elizabeth 3 Quickfall Emma 1 Taylor Tom 25 Farm Labourer Lincolnshire Taylor Ann 23 Taylor George 28 Farm Labourer Lincolnshire Taylor Maria 21 Urry Tom 25 Labourer Lincolnshire Urry Emma 35 Urry Thomas 11 Urry William 9 Urry Sarah 7 Urry Frederick 5 Urry Thomas 1 Ward Henry 20 Farm Labourer Lincolnshire Ward Harriet 19 Whiting David 30 Farm Labourer Cambridge Whiting Caroline 25 Whiting Sarah 7 Whiting Frank 4 Whiting Mary Ann 2 Whiting Joseph 1 Wright Edward 37 Farm Labourer Lincolnshire Wright Charlotte 39 Wright Eliza 5 Wright Alice 3 Wright Maud 1
Single Men
Bauchop Robert G 38 Labourer Clackmannan Caspar Richard 37 Farm Labourer Switzerland Clough George 18 Ploughman Lincolnshire Clough Henry 16 Ploughman Lincolnshire Clough John 14 Labourer Lincolnshire Clough Mathew 12 Labourer Lincolnshire Cartwright William 14 Labourer Lincolnshire Davidson Edward 18 Labourer Lincolnshire Dobson Charles 13 Labourer Lincolnshire Durisch Christian 33 Farm Labourer Switzerland Fawcett William 13 Labourer Lincolnshire Fawcett Thomas 20 Farm Labourer Lincolnshire Grodig Wieland 32 Farm Labourer Switzerland Hopkinson Joseph 13 Labourer Notts Hunger Rudolf 20 Blacksmith Switzerland Hunger Bartholomew 26 Farm Labourer Switzerland Harness James 21 Labourer Lincolnshire Harness Barton 19 Labourer Lincolnshire Holt Charles 20 Farm Labourer Lincolnshire Hufton George 20 Carpenter Switzerland Lowe Alfred 12 Farm Labourer Lincolnshire Langley Edwin 14 Farm Labourer Lincolnshire Langstaff Benjamin 19 Farm Labourer Lincolnshire Melin Nicholas 20 Carpenter Switzerland Melin Jacob 21 Saddler Switzerland Mumby Richard 21 Farm Labourer Lincolnshire Percival Arthur 20 Farm Labourer Northampton Parli John M 21 Farm Labourer Switzerland Parkin John 21 Farm Labourer Lincolnshire Peel William 22 Blacksmith Lincolnshire Quickfall Joseph 16 Farm Labourer Lincolnshire Quickfall James 14 Farm Labourer Lincolnshire Urry William 32 Farm Labourer Lincolnshire Urry Frederick 28 Farm Labourer Lincolnshire Waite James 18 Farm Labourer Lincolnshire Ward Charles 22 Farm Labourer Lincolnshire Wyatt Robert 18 Labourer Devonshire
The Captain of the 'Halcione' blames those who were engaged to tender the ship for not landing all the passengers at this port. "On the 3rd September, at 6.30 am, anchored at Taranaki roadstead, where great delay was experienced in getting the immigrants away. Ninety-one of those intended for Taranaki landed in two boats. The ship was obliged to heave up her anchor and proceed to sea, on account of a north-wester and a heavy sea rolling in. All of the immigrants might have been landed (as the captain informs us) if proper attention had been paid to the ship, as she let go her anchor at daylight close to shore, as agreed on by the Immigration Commissioner the evening before. After the ship was brought up no boats came off for at least an hour, and them the steamer which went ashore for another boat came off again without one. Towed the first boat ashore, and them brought another off, with an interval of about three-quarters of an hour between each boat. The ship dragged her anchor with forty-five fathoms of chain in Taranaki roadstead. and was obliged to bring away with her the Taranaki pilot and one of the Immigration officers to Wellington. The weather cleared up in four hours afterwards, and had the ship remained, the whole of the passengers might have been transhipped before six o'clock the same evening.
Diaries:
Diary
of E. I. (Emily Isabella ) Summerhays and later account of voyage by Frances
Summerhays at the The Museum of Wellington - City & Sea.
Surgeon Percy Lee's Medical Journal and passenger list and diary of William
Bocock at the Puke Ariki - Taranaki Research Centre. The passenger list has a name index of passengers with details of their place of birth, occupation, cost of passage, and death.
The Medical Journal has details day-to-day events; the medical journal includes lists of patients, their maladies, treatment and other remarks.
A Total Wreck
The Nelson Evening Mail Thursday 9th January 1896 pg 2
The barque Halcione, Captain Boorman, from London to Wellington, ran ashore at Wellington Heads, near the lighthouse late last night. The crew are safe. The vessel made Pencarrow light about 8.30 last night. The wind which had been northerly had then changed to the south, blowing hard with flashes if lightning, and rain falling. The barque was close to land on the eastern side near the lighthouse, and shortly afterwards was s truck by a squall and ran on the rocks in a dangerous position. A heavy swell was running, and Captain Boorman ordered the boats to be cut away. One boat was manned by Mr Joynt, chief officer, and a crew of five. They came on to Wellington after an arduous pull in a heavy sea. They reached town drenched, and requested assistance for the disabled vessel. The s.s. Mana was despatched as soon as possible having on board captain Bendall, Secretary to the Underwriters' Association. The cargo consists 772 tons of cargo (including 1700 packages of gunpowder and 500 barrels cement) for Wellington, and 15 tons of transhipment. She was 90 days out. The Halcione struck rocks in Fitzroy Bay, and from there the Lighthouse is not visible. Fitzroy Bay is to the eastward of Pencarrow Head. She struck one of the three rocky points at the head of the bay at 10.30 pm, and there she lies surrounded by rocks. The second boat was launched successfully but on nearing the shore was smashed against the rocks. The occupants were thrown out, but all managed to scramble ashore safely. They then walked about four miles to Small Bay on the harbour side of Pencarrow lighthouse, where they were picked up by the s.s. Mana and brought on here. The crew saved only what they were in.
Captain Boorman is in command of a crew of 14.
Mr Joynt, of Christchurch, chief officer;
Mr Farmer (?Palmer), of Blenheim, 2nd officer;
Mr Wheeler, 3rd officer:
Mr Eggington, carpenter:
A. Larsen, sailmaker:
Taylor, steward
Trapp, Collyer, Thompson, and Davis apprentices:
Curtis, McDougall, Ewings, Chambers, Beaumont, Logan and Freeman crewman
The barque Halcione setting sail while under tow towards the old entrance of Nelson. The pilot is standing at the bow and the pilot boat is being towed astern. The Halcione visited Nelson five times: 1887, 1891, 1892, 1893, 1894.
Taranaki Herald Saturday 11 September 1875 page 2
Emigrants expected per 'Chile.'
The Halcione made ten voyages to Wellington including one in 1879 and was wrecked there when attempting to enter the port 8 January 1896.
Evening Post, 14 July 1873, Page 2
PORT OF WELLINGTON.
Arrived - July 14 - Albion, ss, 591 tons, McLean from Melbourne, via the
South.
July 14 - Heversham, barque, 465 tons, Vule from Newcastle.
July 14— Schiehallion, barque, 602 tons, from London
July 14 — Halcione, ship, 542 tons, Bishop, for London
Passenger list, Per Albion ; Cabin —Major Croker, Hon W. Robinson and family,
Hon Mr and Mrs Peter, Colonel Brett, Messrs Mason, Lambert, Cook, Murray,
Thomson, Steward, Cuthbertson, Palmer, Bluett, Webb, Brown, Studholme, Parker,
Thompson ; 5 steerage, 25 for other port
Per Halcione : Cabin — Mr and Mrs Bunnett, Mrs Mills, Mrs Bishop, Mr and Mrs
Caulier, Miss Mitchell, Messrs Butler, Hadfield, Riach, and Master Bishop,
Second Cabin — Mr and Mrs Kilminster. Mrs Bailey and 7 children, Mr and Mrs
Sanson, Misses Sanson (2), Mr Lowes, wife, and children, 262 in the steerage.